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Voykit pocket guide · Ethiopia
Harar
ሐረር
Spend 2–3 days in Harar to see the walled Jugol, feed hyenas and sample coffee; one night is enough if you’re on a tight schedule.
Harar is a compact UNESCO World Heritage walled city in eastern Ethiopia. Its historic gates, 99 mosques and lively markets fit into a walkable core, so 2–3 days let you explore the Jugol, visit museums, feed hyenas and try the famous Harar coffee without rushing.
- Country
- Ethiopia
- Local name
- ሐረር
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (rainy season)
- Stay
- 2–3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- ETB
- Money
- Currency is the Ethiopian birr (ETB); the rate was floated in July 2024 and has moved a lot since — check the current rate before you land.
- Daily spend
- Budget ETB 3,500–5,500 excl. bed · Mid ETB 5,500–8,000 excl. bed · High ETB 8,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Ethio Telecom and Safaricom Ethiopia both sell SIMs at Bole arrivals and shops with passport registration; a few GB costs a few dollars.
- Emergency
- Police 991 · Ambulance 907 · Fire 939
- Plugs
- Types C, E, F, L · 220 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin European plugs fit most sockets; power cuts happen — carry a power bank.
- Tipping
- Local restaurant: Round up.; Tourist restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge.; Guide day: US$10–20 per group.; Driver day: US$5–10 per group.; Park scout: US$5 a day.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Bottled water everywhere; many lodges refill bottles.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels and restaurants; squat toilets or none at all on the road. Carry paper and hand gel.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at bunna bet | ETB 30–50 |
| Hyena feeding (tourist fee) | ETB 500 |
| Minibus from Addis (Selam Bus) | ETB 300 (check) |
| Taxi from Dire Dawa to Harar | ETB 5,000–5,500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- DIR · Dire Dawa International Airport
- Shared taxi to Harar bus station, about 1 h
Typical fares
- Dire Dawa → Harar (taxi)
- about ETB 5,200, 1 h (check)
- Selam Bus Addis → Harar (one way)
- ETB 300, 11 h (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The Jugol is walkable; auto‑rickshaws (bajaji) are everywhere for trips beyond the walls. Taxis from Dire Dawa cost ~5,000 birr (2025).
See and do
Known for
- UNESCO walled city (Jugol)
- Hyena feeding tradition
- Harar coffee
- Historic mosques and museums
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ejersa Goro (birthplace of Haile Selassie) | Hire a private taxi from Harar, about 30 km (19 mi) eastHire a private taxi from Harar, about 19 mi (30 km) east | ≈1 h round trip |
| Aweday khat market | Private taxi west, 45 km (28 mi)Private taxi west, 28 mi (45 km) | ≈1.5 h round trip |
| Lake Haramaya | Taxi north, 70 km (43 mi)Taxi north, 43 mi (70 km) | ≈2 h round trip |
Sleep
- Harar Guest House
- Inside Harar Gate, basic rooms, hot water not guaranteed
- Wonderland Hotel
- Near eastern hyena site, running water, breakfast included
- Sherif Guest House
- Cozy, clean, close to eastern gate
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | selamselam |
| How much? | እንደምን ዋጋ ነው?əndämən waga nəw? |
| Thank you | አመሰግናለሁamäsäggənallo |
| Where is the bus station? | ባስ ጣቢያ የት ነው?bas tabiya yet nəw? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake with a shoulder bump among men; bow slightly to elders; avoid: Rushing past greetings
- Eating: Right hand only, from your side of the injera; avoid: Left-hand eating or licking fingers loudly
- Churches: Shoes off, head covered (women), quiet voice; avoid: Entering during services without being invited
- Coffee: Stay for three rounds if you can; avoid: Refusing flatly
- Photos: Ask, and agree a fee in the Omo; avoid: Photographing soldiers, police or checkpoints
- Talk: Ask about coffee, running, food and faith; avoid: Ethnic politics and the wars
Scams and watch-outs
- Check bus fares at checkpoints – overcharging is common.
- Hot water and running water are unreliable in many guest houses.
- Nighttime security can be spotty; keep valuables close.
Harar is generally safe for daytime travel; be vigilant at night and watch for unofficial fare hikes.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Harar yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- UNESCO walled city (Jugol)
- Hyena feeding tradition
- Harar coffee
- Historic mosques and museums
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Harar city official website: hararcity.gov.et/
- Wikidata – Harar: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1315
- Wikivoyage: Harar, revision 5242105 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5242105
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/harar). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.