Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour
Description
Come to discover the authentic magic of Addis Ababa by visiting the most historical, local, nature and cultural highlights on a full-day city tour with private guide and driver. From seeing the grave of Emperor Haile Selassie, drinking a coffee in the oldest roasters company, exploring the narrow streets and stalls of the largest open market in Africa, having lunch in the oldest hotel built by Empress Taytu Betul, seeing the worldwide known "Lucy", walking in the former bedroom of Haile Selassie, to hiking an eucalyptus forrest at 3400 meters altitude and admire the full scenery of the city, this tour is definitely a must! Tour includes entrance fees, pick up and drop off at the airport/hotel. Discount can be offered for group or family tour.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Holy Trinity Cathedral, also known in Amharic as Kidist Selassie, is the highest ranking Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo cathedral in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It was built in 1942 to commemorate the Ethiopian victory over Italian occupation and is an important place of worship in Ethiopia. The tombs of the Emperor Haile Selassie and Empress Menen Asfaw, as well as other members of the Imperial Family, can be found inside the cathedral.
Located in Piazza area, Tomoca is the oldest coffee shop in Ethiopia (since 1953). Ethiopian traditional coffee ceremony is one of the most iconic and cherished cultural rituals in Ethiopia.
Mercato is the largest open-air market in Africa, covering several square miles and employing an estimated 13,000 people in 7,100 business entities divided in organized zones (agricultural products, incense, coffee, spices, jewelry, recycling, baskets, pottery, leather goods, metal goods)
Lunch at the oldest hotel in Addis. The Taitu Hotel was built in 1905 (1898 in the Ethiopian calendar) in the middle of the city (Piazza), by Taitu Betul (1851–1918), the Ethiopian Empress and the wife of Emperor Menelik II, to provide foreign guests a place to rest and dine. Alternative places for lunch is possible. Lunch is not included in the Tour price.
The museum is divided in three sections. In the basement, the paleontological exhibition contains many precious local archaeological finds such as the fossilized remains of early hominids, the most famous of which is "Lucy". The collection is ranked among the most important sub-saharan africa. In the ground floor, artefacts from aksumite, pre-aksumite, solomonic and gonderian periods are exposed. In the first floor, there is a vivid display of ethiopian art ranging from early 14th century parchment until 20th century canvas oil painting.
The Ethnological Museum is a public institution dedicated to ethnology and culture. Set within Haile Selassie’s former palace and surrounded by the beautiful gardens and fountains of the university main campus, the Ethnological Museum houses anthropological, musicological and cultural objects.
Located at 3400 meters altitude, Entoto natural park was where the former Emperor Minilik II’s permanent camp and palace was located. From the top, there is a panoramic view of the capital and the surrounding countryside. The mountain is densely covered by eucalyptus trees that were imported from Australia during the reign of Menelik II, and mostly planted during Emperor Haile Selassie's reign. Thus, it is sometimes referred to as the "lung of Addis Ababa".
Shiro Meda Market (also spelled "Chiromeda") sells Ethiopian textiles in all their forms, from Ethiopian wedding dresses to various types of clothing, linens, and fabrics.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(285)
Addis is rich in history and culture. It's right there in the open but without an experienced, seasoned and knowledgeable guide, it will be difficult to unearth this rich culture. I travelled with my wife for our honeymoon break, and they treated us like we are a whole group tour. Alex made is easy for us to learn more about the history and culture of Addis and Ethiopia, while making it fun. The itinerary was well thought out, he provided pickup from our hotel, paid for all the admission fees and talked us though the history of the city and country for 7 hrs. The lunch break at the Ethiopia cultural restaurant was a lesson in itself where we enjoyed the Ethiopian coffee ceremony. For groups big and small I would highly recommend Addis Authentic Tours for the private city tour. Great experience and great value for money.
Dear Kisilo, Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a wonderful review of your experience with Addis Authentic Tours! We are truly grateful that you chose to spend part of your honeymoon discovering Addis Ababa and Ethiopia with us. It was a real pleasure to welcome you both and to make your day special, comfortable, and memorable. Your kind words about our itinerary, service, and value mean a great deal to our entire team. Recommendations like yours are the greatest encouragement for us to continue sharing the authentic history, culture, and spirit of Ethiopia with our guests. Thank you again for trusting Addis Authentic Tours with such a special part of your honeymoon. We hope to welcome you back to Ethiopia someday for another unforgettable adventure! With sincere appreciation, Addis Authentic Tours Team
The guide gave us a lot of information. His knowledge is great and shares with us. We learn a lot about Ethiopian culture.
Elías provided an excellent tour of the City that went beyond viewing, to experiencing a wide cross section of Addis Ababa. I highly recommend this tour and tour guide.
Dear Adrian, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and kind recommendation! We’re truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed experiencing the diversity of Addis Ababa with Elías. Our goal is always to go beyond simply showing our guests the city to help them experience its history, culture, people, traditions, and everyday life in a meaningful and authentic way. Thank you again for choosing Addis Authentic Tours and for sharing your experience with others. Your support and recommendation mean so much to us! We hope to welcome you back to Ethiopia for another unforgettable experience. With sincere appreciation, Addis Authentic Tours Team
Alex was an excellent guide. He was punctual to the agreed pick up location . He speaks English very well. He is polite, very knowledgeable about the history of Ethiopia and professional. He went beyond and above to make us enjoy the tour of Addis Ababa. He helped us change money. He was also very friendly.
Dear Rihreh, Dear Adrian, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and kind recommendation! We’re truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed experiencing the diversity of Addis Ababa with Alex. Our goal is always to go beyond simply showing our guests the city to help them experience its history, culture, people, traditions, and everyday life in a meaningful and authentic way. Thank you again for choosing Addis Authentic Tours and for sharing your experience with others. Your support and recommendation mean so much to us! We hope to welcome you back to Ethiopia for another unforgettable experience. With sincere appreciation, Addis Authentic Tours Team
Alex and the driver did their best to provide a great experience. Currently there are not too many tourists in Addis Abeba and I was perhaps a bit hesitant myself due to some travel warnings. Situation on the ground was totally calm. Thank you guys for an interesting and intense day.
Dear Flowlabs, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us! We’re delighted to hear that Alex and our driver were able to make your day in Addis Ababa interesting, enjoyable, and memorable. It was a pleasure to have you with us and to share some of the city’s fascinating history and culture. We also truly appreciate you sharing your perspective as a traveler. We always strive to provide our guests with attentive service, local insight, and a smooth experience throughout the day. Thank you again for trusting Addis Authentic Tours and for spending an intense and interesting day discovering Addis Ababa with us. Your kind words mean a lot to Alex, our driver, and the whole team. We hope to welcome you back to Ethiopia someday for another memorable adventure! With sincere appreciation,
A fantastic, comprehensive, and educational full day tour of Addis!! Alex as a guide was so great - shared so much history (social, political, religious, cultural), was very communicative and organized, and was very invested in getting the absolute most out of the day. I liked that he provided options at many points so I could have some say over what we did and where we went. I like to really try to see it all & to get the most out of a tour and Alex was very accommodating of that. The driver Addis was also fantastic - very safe and kind. Our schedule was: - Entoto St Maryam Church / Minilk II Museum / Old Palace - Merkato - lunch at Addis Ababa Nyaderasa Restaurant - Ensira Pottery - Ethnological Museum on Addis Ababa University campus - National Museum of Ethiopia It was an awesome & jam packed day. I highly recommend choosing the lunch restaurant we went to because it's a beautiful old traditional home with delicious local food and a traditional coffee ceremony. You pay for lunch, but everything else is covered, including water and coffee. Ensira Pottery was amazing to witness the level of handmade production by so many women & very fun to buy little handmade clay guinea fowl figurines as souvenirs. Seeing Lucy and all the other just as old or older skeletons is a must! Merkato is really something to witness. I really enjoyed how Alex took my up on a balcony so we could spend time just taking it all in from above. He was also great about helping me try spices and assisting in purchasing some!
Dear Marin, Thank you so much for this incredibly detailed and thoughtful review! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic and enriching day discovering Addis Ababa with Alex and Addis. It was a real pleasure to share the city’s history, culture, traditions, and everyday life with you. We especially appreciate your kind words about Alex’s flexibility and communication. We believe that every traveler should have the opportunity to shape their experience, and we’re happy that the different options throughout the day allowed you to make the most of your time in Addis. We’re also very happy that you enjoyed the traditional restaurant, local cuisine, and Ethiopian coffee ceremony. Your appreciation of the women’s craftsmanship at Ensira Pottery and your experience exploring the spices and markets of Merkato mean a lot to us. Thank you again for recommending Addis Authentic Tours and for allowing us to be part of your Addis Ababa adventure. We hope to welcome you back to Ethiopia someday for another unforgettable experience! With sincere appreciation, Addis Authentic Tours Team
Wonderful Kirui and the driver was very atencion and patient We recomend them
Dear Asunta, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and kind recommendation! We’re truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed experiencing the diversity of Addis Ababa with Us. Our goal is always to go beyond simply showing our guests the city to help them experience its history, culture, people, traditions, and everyday life in a meaningful and authentic way. Thank you again for choosing Addis Authentic Tours and for sharing your experience with others. Your support and recommendation mean so much to us! We hope to welcome you back to Ethiopia for another unforgettable experience. With sincere appreciation, Addis Authentic Tours Team
-Comprehensive and flexible itinerary - Alex (guide) is experienced, knowledgeable and passionate - Addis (driver) is excellent driver, careful, polite and caring
Dear Calvin, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed our comprehensive and flexible itinerary and that it met your expectations. We're especially pleased to know that Alex's experience, knowledge, and passion made your journey even more enriching, and that Addis's careful driving, professionalism, and kindness helped you feel safe and well cared for throughout the trip. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for another memorable adventure in Ethiopia! Addis Authentic Tours
Great experience—both the guide and the driver were fantastic. The guide Desale was easy to communicate and coordinate with over WhatsApp and on time for pickup. He was friendly and knowledgeable, and went out of his way to be helpful and take photos. Absolutely loved this team, from the company to the individual guide. As a solo female traveler, 10/10 experience, very safe. Would book him again!
Dear Sarah, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a great experience with our team. It means a lot to know that Desale made everything easy from the very beginning, with smooth communication, punctuality, and a friendly, knowledgeable approach throughout the tour. We're also delighted that both your guide and driver helped make your journey enjoyable, comfortable, and memorable. Your kind words about feeling safe as a solo female traveler are especially meaningful to us. Providing a welcoming, reliable, and secure experience for all our guests is one of our highest priorities. Thank you again for your trust and recommendation. We would be honored to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in Ethiopia! Desale, Atsede and Mulugeta Addis Authentic Tours
Saleamlak is a very good guide: nice, patient, he paid much attention on my questions and points of interest. He also knows a lot about Addis and Ethiopia. This first discovery of the city has been successful thanks to him and rhe nice car driver. I recommend!
