Booking fee
The booking fee includes the costs of booking your tickets such as charges for payment processing. It also covers the provision of our customer care center for processing your order, and all charges imposed by our suppliers.
* This tour requires at least one of the following per booking: Adult, Senior
Perfect for first-time visitors to Addis Ababa, this half day tour combines iconic landmarks, local markets, and authentic culinary delights.
Experience the essence of the Ethiopian culture on this immersive half-day tour.
With a flexible pickup from your hotel in Addis Ababa or the airport, drive with a private vehicle to interesting sites in the city.
Highlights:
- Explore the bustling Merkato market with a knowledgeable local guide
- Learn how to bake Injera bread during a private cooking class
- Enjoy the sweeping city views from the summit of Mount Entoto
- Indulge in a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony
- Visit the palace of Emperor Haile Sellassie I at the Ethnological Museum
Our expert guides will take you beyond the typical tourist spots, offering a truly authentic and unforgettable experience.
This short tour allows customization of your itinerary.
Book a guided tour to Addis Ababa and leave with a deeper understanding of Ethiopia in a few hours.
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Private transportation
Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Experience, bottled water and local snacks in the car
Local family visits
All Fees and Taxes
Have home cooked Ethiopian meals for lunch
Professional Experienced Tour Guide
Alcoholic Beverages
Any other expense which are not mentioned in the "included" list above
Departure Point
Traveler pickup is offered
Any hotel, lodge, guest house in Addis Ababa Addis OR at Ababa Bole International Hotel (if visitors just arrive)
Traveler pickup
Bole Airport, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ethnological Museum, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia During your half-day tour in Addis Ababa, take a guided visit to the Ethnographic (Ethnological) Museum. You’ll learn about the rich cultural heritages of Ethiopia and its diverse ethnic groups.
Discover the pivotal moments that shaped Ethiopia’s rich and glorious history, including the remarkable victory over Italy at the Battle of Adwa in 1896.
Explore the Life Cycle Exhibits to understand the profound customs and rituals surrounding birth, childhood, adulthood, and death of diverse tribes of Ethiopia.
Tour to the Ethnographic Museum also includes visiting the bedroom of Emperor – Haile Sellassie I. The museum’s building was the former palace of the emperor.
Located at the main campus of Addis Ababa University, this museum also features an exhibit dedicated to Ethiopian religious and secular music. Learn about the different musical instruments used by various ethnic groups, and diverse musical culture of Ethiopia.
Ethnographic Museum is a top site to discover in Addis Ababa. 60 minutes
Mount Entoto, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Mount Entoto is the other interesting site you will explore on this guided half day tour to Addis Ababa.
Drive north of Addis Ababa via the local market of Shiro Meda, where you can find beautiful hand woven cotton clothes and small gift items, to Mount Entoto.
Stop at Entoto Park and walk to the best outlook near Addis to admire views of the surrounding mountains and see the city from above.
With a private house visit, experience the Ethiopian cultural coffee ceremony, taste local food, and learn baking Enjera bread.
Mount Entoto is one of the best places to experience local culture, enjoy the great panoramic view of Addis Ababa and walk in the Eucalyptus forest at the mountain.
Mount Entoto, with its elevation of 3,200 meters (10,500 feet) above sea level, qualifies Addis Ababa as the highest capital city in Africa.
On a customizable short tour of Addis Ababa, discover Mount Entoto with a professional tour guide and private vehicle. 120 minutes
Haron Tower, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Take a break at the historic Tomoca Coffee (1953), the first roasting company in Ethiopia. Enjoy one of the best coffees in your life brewed from high-quality highland-grown Arabica coffee from the birthplace of coffee itself, Kaffa.
At Tomoca Coffee, you have the chance to try ‘macchiato’, a shot of espresso with a small dollop of foamed milk on top.
Don’t miss the opportunity to shop the best Ethiopian Coffee Beans, praised for their freshness, vibrant flavors, and unique Ethiopian character.
Tomoca Coffee House is among the top authentic coffee spots in Addis Ababa we take you on this brief guided tour.
30 minutes
Lion of Judah, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia As part of your half day sightseeing tour in Addis Ababa, you’ll see iconic monuments of the city like the Lion of Judah Statue.
On a scenic drive, your guide explains the background and importance of the two monuments of Lion of Judah in Addis Ababa – the monumental bronze sculpture of a roaring lion and the stone made statue next to the National Theatre.
In addition to the Lion of Judah, you will see and learn about the historical monuments in Addis Ababa like Yekatit 12 Martyrs Square, Menelik II Statue, Tiglachin Memorial, and Meyazia 27 Square Monument.
As popular as the Lion of Judah monument, you’ll drive by famous squares of Addis Ababa like Meskel Square, Alexander Pushkin Square, Menelik II Square, Mexico Square, and the square dedicated to the French President Charles de Gaulle, near Piazza.
See famous sites in Addis Ababa, including the Lion of Judah Statue, booking a guided half-day sightseeing tour. 30 minutes
Addis Mercato, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Walk through Merkato market (Africa’s biggest) with a knowledgeable guide by your side. Discover Merkato’s back alleys which you might miss as a solo visitor without guide.
With about 1hour tour of Addis Ababa’s Merkato market, gain insider access to sights tucked away from the main pathways. Have unique cultural insights and way of life of local Ethiopians.
Learn how shopping at Merkato market works and practice your bargaining skills. Interact with locals with the help of your multilingual fluent tour guide.
Visit food and Ethiopian spices sections of to feel the delicious aspect of the market experience. Merkato is a heaven for photography. Capture the vibrant atmosphere and your unique moments.
NOTE - Crowded markets like Merkato in Addis Ababa can be overwhelming for some visitors. You can always tell your guide if you prefer to visit Mercato market by driving through instead of driving.
Visit Merkato Market in our half-day cultural and sightseeing tour in Addis Ababa. 60 minutes
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
amaarahg
16 Oct 2024
I had a few hours to see as much of Addis as possible and Merit Tours did an amazing job! Biruk, my guide, was wonderful, knowledgeable, friendly and made sure to customise my experience. The driver, Sirak, was patient as we stopped along the route. As a solo female traveller I felt very safe and relaxed. This was the highlight of my short stay. I will definitely recommend Merit to anyone who wants to learn about the history AND pre-history of Addis!
A8097NMclaudiar
24 Sep 2024
We had an amazing experience in Addis Ababa with our tour guide, Biruk. He was professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. Biruk took us to key points in Addis Ababa for an authentic cultural experience. We certainly enjoyed everything. You could tell Biruk is very connected with his culture and community. Muluken was also amazing organizing the tour for us. He was very responsive, informative and helpful. We totally recommend this tour. ???? Claudia and Ralf
andycM5999OX
06 Feb 2024
Muluken knows Addis Ababa like the back of his hand! We rode around in comfort, captivated as he taught us history, current events, culture, and more. He even negotiated a good price for a souvenir for my son, a football jersey for the local team, Saint George’s. He is trustworthy, fun, and all-around great to deal with. Thank you, Muluken!
This tour in
Addis Ababa
is organized by
Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours
We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
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