Addis Ababa Layover

Meskel Square is a public square in the city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is often a site for public gatherings or for demonstrations and festivals, notably, the Meskel Festival from which it takes its name.

On this tour you are going to explore the Holy Trinity cathedral, one of the city’s largest Orthodox cathedrals built during Haile Selassie. National Museum where Lucy and important artifacts in terms of Ethiopian History are exhibited. Ethnographic museum, found the house of the former Ethiopian king Hailie Selassie. It is a cultural museum that gives a comprehensive view of the Ethiopian people. Entoto hill is one of the must-visit places for those who want to get to know local people and taste the natural atmosphere.

This is Ethiopia’s primary Museum and houses the nation's artistic treasures. This is one of the best museums in the diversity of the exhibits and your visit will give you a glimpse of Ethiopia. The museum has four main exhibition sections and the most famous exhibit is the Paleontological showcase where you can see the 3.5 million-year-old fossil of Lucy, ‘ Dinkinesh’ in Amharic meaning ‘wonderful’, a hominoid woman of the specious of Australopithecus Afarensis. Lucy’s fossil was discovered in 1974 at Hadar, Afar Region and this big discovery changed the way we understand Human Evolution. The exhibit on the first floor contains objects from ancient and medieval periods, as well as regalia and memorabilia from former rulers including the famous Emperor Haile Selassie. The other Exhibit contains artwork in chronological order, from traditional to contemporary works while the third floor comprises rich ethnographic displays.

Short drive to the north of the capital and take in the panoramic view of Addis Ababa from Mount Entoto, the highest peak in the city. Entoto Mountain was the site of a palace and the royal court to Emperor Menelik in the 1800s. The Entoto Mountain is known as the “lung of Addis Ababa” because the dense forest regulates the climate condition of the city. On top of this mountain, you will visit the palace of the Mighty King Menelik II who kept Ethiopia independent from Colonial Powers. Also, you will explore the Entoto Maryam Church museum. One the way down from the mountains, stop at Shiro Meda to visit Ethiopia’s largest local market for Traditional Clothes with displays of Ethiopia's finest hand craftsmanship.

Short drive to the north of the capital and take in the panoramic view of Addis Ababa from Mount Entoto, the highest peak in the city. Entoto Mountain was the site of a palace and the royal court to Emperor Menelik in the 1800s. The Entoto Mountain is known as the “lung of Addis Ababa” because the dense forest regulates the climate condition of the city. On top of this mountain, you will visit the palace of the Mighty King Menelik II who kept Ethiopia independent from Colonial Powers. Also, you will explore the Entoto Maryam Church museum. One the way down from the mountains, stop at Shiro Meda to visit Ethiopia’s largest local market for Traditional Clothes with displays of Ethiopia's finest hand craftsmanship.

The Yekatit 12 is a monument in Addis Ababa commemorating victims of Italian reprisals following an attempt to kill the Marshal Rodolfo Graziani, marchese di Neghelli, Viceroy of Italian East Africa, on 19 February 1937, or Yekatit 12 in the Ethiopian calendar

Menelik II Statue is a statue of the emperor sitting gloriously on a horse, and has been standing there since 1930. The statue was erected in memory of the battle of Adowa. This was the only major battle in the history of Africa, when Emperor Menelik and his army defeated the Italian army.

The Tiglachin Monument, also known as the Derg Monument, is a memorial to Ethiopian and Cuban soldiers involved in the Ogaden War. It was built during the rule of Mengistu Haile Mariam and is located on Churchill Avenue in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.