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Best Things to do in Addis Ababa (2026)

Some of the most memorable experiences in Addis Ababa happen outside museums. Merkato, often described as the largest open-air market in Africa, is organised into sections for coffee, spices, grain, clothing and recycled goods, and it is best explored with a guide who can lead you through its maze of lanes. Allow two to three hours and ask before photographing people.

For fresh air, Entoto Park on the mountain above the city has walking and cycling trails, a large viewpoint, horse riding and restaurants, and it is noticeably cooler than the centre, so bring a layer. Weekends are busiest, when Galani Coffee opens its Entoto branch and families come up for lunch. In the Mekanisa area, Zoma Museum offers a quieter afternoon among mud-and-straw buildings designed by the artist Elias Sime, with gardens, exhibitions, a cafe and a restaurant. Combine Merkato with the sights of Piazza, and pair Entoto with an evening at a cultural restaurant or a music house such as Fendika to see a different side of the city.

3 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 things to do in Addis Ababa

  1. Merkato Open-air market, Addis KetemaHuge open-air market west of Piazza, often called Africa's largest, with sections for coffee, spices, grain, clothing, household goods and recycled metal.
  2. Entoto Park Mountain park and viewpoint, EntotoLarge recreation park on the forested Entoto mountain above the city, opened in 2020, with viewpoints, trails, horse riding, cafes and restaurants.
  3. Zoma Museum Contemporary art centre and garden, MekanisaArtist-founded museum and garden in Mekanisa built from mud and straw, combining contemporary Ethiopian art, an organic garden, a cafe and a restaurant.

Thing to do

1. Merkato

Open-air marketAddis Ketema

Huge open-air market west of Piazza, often called Africa's largest, with sections for coffee, spices, grain, clothing, household goods and recycled metal.

View details — Merkato

Thing to do

2. Entoto Park

Mountain park and viewpointEntoto

Large recreation park on the forested Entoto mountain above the city, opened in 2020, with viewpoints, trails, horse riding, cafes and restaurants.

View details — Entoto Park

Thing to do

3. Zoma Museum

Contemporary art centre and gardenMekanisa

Artist-founded museum and garden in Mekanisa built from mud and straw, combining contemporary Ethiopian art, an organic garden, a cafe and a restaurant.

View details — Zoma Museum