Districts · Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa by district
A first visit covers a rough triangle: the Museum Quarter and Meskel Square in the south, Piazza to the north-west (the old Italian-era commercial heart), and Merkato further west. Bole, the airport and diplomatic district, sits south-east and is mainly for sleeping and flights, not sightseeing.
About these names
Addis addresses work by landmark and sub-city (kifle ketema) rather than a reliable house-number system: give your driver the district and a nearby landmark.
- Museum Quarter (around the National Museum)seeSuits: A first morning of historyNational Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral and university-area streets; walkable but hilly in places.2 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Meskel Square and KazanchissleepseeSuits: Central base, business travellersThe city's civic heart and a major transport hub; the Red Terror memorial and many hotels are here.1 sights · 1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- PiazzaseeeatSuits: History, coffee culture, a walking morningThe old Italian-era commercial quarter: Churchill Avenue, St George's Cathedral, coffee houses and tej bars.1 sights · 2 eatsDistrict guide →
- MerkatoseeSuits: Market tripsSaid to be one of the largest open-air markets in Africa; go with bags left at the hotel and cash in a front pocket.2 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- BolesleepSuits: Airport convenience, business travellers, longer staysThe airport and diplomatic district: international hotels, malls and restaurants; every sightseeing outing is a ride.1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Entoto hillsseeSuits: A half-day of views and historyThe original 19th-century capital site above the modern city; church, viewpoint and eucalyptus forest.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Entoto hills. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Museum Quarter (around the National Museum): National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral and university-area streets; walkable but hilly in places. Suits: A first morning of history.
- Meskel Square and Kazanchis: The city's civic heart and a major transport hub; the Red Terror memorial and many hotels are here. Suits: Central base, business travellers. Price band $$.
- Piazza: The old Italian-era commercial quarter: Churchill Avenue, St George's Cathedral, coffee houses and tej bars. Suits: History, coffee culture, a walking morning.
- Merkato: Said to be one of the largest open-air markets in Africa; go with bags left at the hotel and cash in a front pocket. Suits: Market trips.
- Bole: The airport and diplomatic district: international hotels, malls and restaurants; every sightseeing outing is a ride. Suits: Airport convenience, business travellers, longer stays. Price band $$$.
- Entoto hills: The original 19th-century capital site above the modern city; church, viewpoint and eucalyptus forest. Suits: A half-day of views and history.
- Sleep area Bole (near the airport road): suits Airport convenience, business travellers, longer stays, price band $$$.
- Sleep area Meskel Square and Kazanchis: suits Central base, business travellers, price band $$.
- Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), about 7 km4.3 mi from the centre, 35–65 min by the usual route.