City Rating: Addis Abeba
Population: 3,400,000
Date of visit: October 2017
Attractions & sights: 2/5
Nightlife: 4/5
Safety: 4/5
Infrastructure: 3/5
Low budget factor: 4/5
Total: 👍👍👍/5
The city in a nutshell:
Addis Abeba is the entrance gate to Ethiopia and meanwhile one of the main hubs in Africa. It’s the heart of Ethiopia and a good city to spend one or two days. There aren’t many fantastic sights in Addis Abeba, but nightlife is pretty good and it’s more or less safe. The city’s elevation is 2,400 meters, which makes temperatures warm during the day and a bit chilly at night.
Where to stay:
Definitely in the Bole area. This is the upscale neighborhood in Addis Abeba, it’s close to the airport and most of the activities can be done here. I would recommend to stay somewhere near Edna Mall. I was in the Ambassador Hotel, which was value for money and the location was good. Most of the hotels in Bole have free airport shuttles by the way.
The Good:
Ethiopia’s capital is a vibrant city, but less chaotic than you might think. The Bole district looks quite organized, it’s pedestrian-friendly and offers many shops, restaurants and malls. Infrastructure is also very good for African standards. The roads are in good condition and there are numerous taxis you can take, although you won’t need it if you stay in the Bole district.
One of Addis’ biggest assets is its nightlife. There are plenty of bars and nightclubs in the Bole area. It can be sleazy sometimes, but to a lesser extent than in other African cities. If you’re not into bars or nightclubs, you can also go to traditional restaurants to spoil yourself. The most touristy is without a doubt Yod Abyssinia. It’s expensive for Ethiopia, but still affordable, and they have live shows sometimes.
Addis Abeba is a safe city, especially the Bole district. Although precaution is necessary (like everywhere in Africa), you can walk around after dark with low risk.
The Bad & The Ugly:
Although there are some sights, Addis Abeba is not a city for a week, as you could easily get bored. It doesn’t take longer than two days to see the whole city. Therefore, Addis is a good starting point in Ethiopia, but as the country has so many better places to offer, I wouldn’t spend more than two days here.
Moreover, you have the usual scammers on the streets. “Hey, do you recognize me? I work for the hotel.” Yeah, sure. Ethiopians are generally very shy. People approaching you on the street usually don’t have the best intentions.
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