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.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
8:30 AM
Next available
Sun, Oct 11
Adult (ages 8–80)
$75
Infant (ages 0–7)
$50
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $80.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 10.
Tour Options
Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour
Pickup included
Itinerary
Holy Trinity Cathedral
Admission included60 min
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.
Option 2: Beata Maryam Church: is a historical Ethiopia Orthodox Church, for its royal mausoleum and its connection with Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu, royal tombs and beautiful religious artwork and there are tortoises around the church
Admission included15 min
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 Market
60 min
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)
45 min
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.
National Museum of Ethiopia
Admission included40 min
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.
Ethnological Museum
Admission included40 min
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.
Entoto Natural Park
Admission included40 min
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
40 min
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.
What's included
Included
Private transportation
Bottled water
All entrance fees
Driver / Guide
Airport / Hotel Pickup
Fuel surcharge
Coffee and/or Tea
Airport / Hotel drop-off
Not included
Lunch
Tips
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
307 reviews
5
300
4
6
3
1
2
0
1
0
How it compares in Addis Ababa
No. 4 by number of reviews among 559 tours in Addis Ababa
Starting price $75 is close to the typical $80 for tours of similar length in Addis Ababa
Excurgo comparison of 559 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
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
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour take?
Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour lasts about 6–8 hours. The itinerary has 8 stops.
How much does Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour cost?
Prices start at $75 per person for this Addis Ababa experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $80. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:30 AM.
Can I cancel Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup points include Z Addis Hotel, Addissinia Hotel.
What languages is Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 10 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Specialized infant seats are available
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 307 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Addis Authentic Tours.
Reviews(307)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
1
151angeK
October 8, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Exceptional, Engaging, and Family-Friendly Guide in Addis!
We had an amazing time exploring Addis Ababa with Alex! Having our two boys with us made us appreciate him even more. Alex is incredibly passionate about Ethiopia, deeply knowledgeable, and very charismatic. The country has such a rich history, and he narrates it like a master storyteller, explaining it in a way that is engaging, exciting, and very easy to understand. He made a genuine effort to engage our boys as well and keep them interested the whole time. He made the experience wonderful for the whole family. Highly recommended!
C
Companion13075408097
October 6, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A great experience
Instead of simply transiting through Addis Ababa, we decided to spend 24 hours, and we're so glad we did. We spent a great day with Alex on the tour, got to see the authentic Addis, and were introduced to a country and culture we otherwise would have never seen.
S
sauln780
October 1, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Amazing Tour on St Mary’s Day
First of all, I would like to commend Addis Authentic Tours as a tour company. It is the best and most organized that I have experienced in Ethiopia. I booked this trip within 48 hours and in a few minutes, I had a message from the company confirming my booking and my pick-up details. Unlike other companies in Ethiopia that do a really poor job in monitoring their bookings on Viator/Trip Advisor and you have to hunt them down yourself to ensure the tour is still happening.
As for the tour itself, it was excellent. I was fortunate to experience this tour during St Mary’s Day, so it was amazing to see all the locals celebrating it at Entoto’s St Maryam Church. Alex is also an excellent tour guide. He is very passionate and intelligent and has so much love for his country Ethiopia. I learned so much about this country with extremely rich history. I also loved trying Injera for the first time. Such a unique and delicious dish. Highly recommend this tour and travel company!
Operator response
Hi Saul,
Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with Addis Authentic Tours.
We’re especially happy to hear that you were impressed with our communication and organization from the moment you made your booking. We always do our best to ensure that our guests feel well taken care of and confident in their arrangements, even when booking at short notice.
It’s fantastic to know that your visit to Entoto St. Maryam Church during St. Mary’s Day made your experience even more special. Being able to witness local celebrations and traditions is exactly the kind of authentic cultural experience we hope to share with our guests.
We’ll also be sure to share your kind words with Alex. His passion for Ethiopia, its history, culture, and people is something we are very proud of, and we’re delighted that he helped make your tour memorable.
Thank you again for recommending Addis Authentic Tours. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Ethiopia one day for another unforgettable experience.
Wishing you all the best!,
The Addis Authentic Tours Team
L
lauradinneen
September 29, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
An authentic taste of Addis Ababa
Wow, what an amazing experience. My husband and I were only in Addis Ababa for one full day and this was the perfect way to experience a slice of life while also getting to see the iconic attractions this vibrant city has to offer.
We did some research beforehand and asked for a slightly different mix of activities to the main itinerary, and Alex, Adis and Mulugeta were very happy to accommodate our wishes.
Standout moments for us were the coffee ceremony we took part in, taught by the coffee princess in her own home, we loved having a go at roasting the beans, grinding them and pouring the coffee, which was delicious. We also got hands on at the women’s pottery co-operative we visited us, and had a go at making a mess of the incredibly talented women’s work! It blew us away, and it was fun walking around and chatting to the pottery masters at work, and even sharing some food and more coffee with them.
Special mention to the delicious and HUGE vegetarian beyaynetu we shared with Alex and Adis for a late lunch. Yum!
Shoutout to Alex for his enthusiasm and love for his city and country, and Adis for his expert driving skills and the fun times we shared with all.
Operator response
Dear Laura,
Thank you so much for this wonderful review! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you and your husband had such a memorable day exploring Addis Ababa with us.
We loved helping you create a slightly different itinerary and are so happy that the experience gave you the chance to see not only some of Addis Ababa’s iconic sights, but also experience genuine local life and culture. For us, these personal and authentic moments are what make a visit to Ethiopia truly special.
It’s fantastic to hear that the traditional coffee ceremony was one of your highlights! We’re sure the coffee princess was delighted to have you participate in roasting, grinding, and pouring the coffee yourselves. ☕️ We’re also so glad you enjoyed visiting the women’s pottery cooperative and getting hands-on with their incredible craft. Those moments of connecting, sharing food and coffee, and simply spending time with local people are exactly the kind of experiences we love to share with our guests.
And we’re happy to hear that you enjoyed the huge vegetarian beyaynetu — especially after all that exploring! 😊
Alex will be thrilled to know that his enthusiasm and love for Addis Ababa and Ethiopia came through, and Adis will certainly appreciate the shoutout for his driving skills!
Thank you again for choosing Addis Authentic Tours and for sharing your experience so beautifully. It was a real pleasure spending the day with you both, and we hope to welcome you back to Ethiopia someday for another authentic adventure.
Warm regards,
The Addis Authentic Tours Team
T
timbleton
September 29, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Exploring Addis Ababa
We had an excellent experience today with Alex and Addis exploring Addis Ababa.
We had chosen a very varied selection of attractions all of which were a unique and interesting insight into Ethiopian culture and history. I have to say that for me personally the standout is experienced were the coffee ceremony and the woman’s pottery coop, which I cannot recommend highly enough.
All round an excellent experience with exceptional customer service, I cannot recommend this tour highly enough, an easy five stars.
Operator response
Dear Tim,
Thank you so much for your fantastic review. We’re truly delighted to hear that you had an excellent day exploring Addis Ababa with Alex and Adis.
We’re especially happy that you enjoyed the variety of experiences included in your tour. We believe that discovering Addis Ababa is about much more than visiting the main attractions: it’s about connecting with the people, traditions, and everyday culture that make the city so special.
It’s wonderful to hear that the coffee ceremony and the women’s pottery cooperative were the highlights of your experience. These are two of the experiences we’re particularly proud to share with our guests, as they offer such a genuine insight into Ethiopian traditions and the incredible skills of local communities.
Your kind words about our customer service mean a great deal to the whole team. We always want our guests to feel welcomed, comfortable, and well looked after throughout their time with us.
Thank you again for choosing Addis Authentic Tours and for recommending us so highly. It was a pleasure having you and Laura with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Ethiopia in the future!
Warm regards,
The Addis Authentic Tours Team
L
louiselJ4779PE
September 26, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Amazing trip for the layover
I had an absolutely wonderful half-day tour in Addis Ababa with Alex as our guide. Alex is incredibly passionate about his home country Ethiopia, and it shows in every story he shared with us. He went all out to introduce the local culture, traditions and profound history of Ethiopia.
Besides fully catering to all our requests, he carefully arranged the best experiences we could fit into our short half-day itinerary. He picked us up in advance and dropped us off promptly at the airport at the end of our trip. Highly recommended! If you are visiting Addis Ababa, book with Addis Authentic Tours without hesitation.
Operator response
Dear Louise,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic experience exploring Addis Ababa with Alex during your layover.
When guests have only a few hours in Ethiopia, we know how important it is to make every moment count. We’re delighted that Alex was able to tailor the experience around your requests and carefully select the best combination of cultural, historical, and local experiences for your half-day visit.
Your kind words about Alex’s passion for Ethiopia mean a lot to us. His love for our country, its history, traditions, and people is something he brings to every tour, and we’re so happy that this came through in the stories and experiences he shared with you.
We’re also glad that we could make your short visit comfortable and stress-free from start to finish.
Thank you again for your trust, your recommendation, and for choosing Addis Authentic Tours. We hope your short taste of Ethiopia inspires you to return one day for a longer visit; there is so much more waiting to be discovered!
Warm regards,
The Addis Authentic Tours Team
Y
yukonl2024
September 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
a great way to explore Addis Ababa!
The city tour with Alex and Addis was fantastic. Alex is very knowledgeable about Ethiopian and Addis Ababa’s history and culture, and it was great having someone who could explain everything in such depth. Communication was easy, pickup was efficient, and he was very flexible in adjusting the itinerary based on my interests. Overall, a great way to explore Addis Ababa!
Operator response
Dear Yucong,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re very happy to hear that you had a fantastic time exploring Addis Ababa with Alex and Addis.
We’re especially happy that you enjoyed learning about the history and culture of both Ethiopia and Addis Ababa. Sharing the stories, traditions, and fascinating history behind the places we visit is a big part of what makes our tours special, and we’re glad Alex was able to bring these stories to life for you.
It’s also great to hear that we could adapt the itinerary around your personal interests. We always want our guests to feel that their experience is truly their own, rather than simply following a fixed schedule.
Thank you again for choosing Addis Authentic Tours and for recommending us! It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Addis Ababa and Ethiopia in the future.
Wish you all the best!
The Addis Authentic Tours Team
5
535sanjuy
September 23, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Awesome Visit
The guide was very good. He explained every thing verywell.
Operator response
Dear Sanju,
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you had an awesome visit to Addis Ababa and that you enjoyed your time with our guide.
It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Ethiopia for another memorable adventure in the future!
The Addis Authentic Tours Team
T
tigistr2026
September 17, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Addis tour
I highly recommend the tour. I had a very special and interesting day. The guide, Alex, was very kind, patient, and had an extensive knowledge of the city and its very rich history.
Operator response
Dear Tigist,
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
We are truly grateful for your wonderful review and for taking the time to share your experience with us. It means so much to know that you had such an amazing City tour and that everything was well organized from start to finish.
Your kind words and recommendation mean a great deal to our entire team. Guests like you inspire us to continue doing what we love and to create meaningful and unforgettable experiences for everyone who travels with us.
Thank you once again for choosing to explore the city with us. We hope to welcome you back to Ethiopia in the future for another wonderful adventure!
With heartfelt gratitude,
Alex and the entire team
T
thaianb2021
September 16, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Very nice!
It was perfect! Excelent driver and guide!
Operator response
Dear Thaian,
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
We are truly grateful for your wonderful review and for taking the time to share your experience with us. It means so much to know that you had such an excellent city tour.
Your kind words and recommendation mean a great deal to our entire team. Guests like you inspire us to continue doing what we love and to create meaningful and unforgettable experiences for everyone who travels with us.
With heartfelt gratitude,
The entire team
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