All Addis Ababa Tours & Excursions in 2026 - page 14

We had an early evening excursion time due to our layover so certain places were closed. However, Athnatios and Yonas still made sure we had a good time. We absolutely enjoyed this excursion. We got to see the first church of Ethiopia and take in all the history, we went to the highest point of the city for stunning views (better than the views from the empire state building), and we tried some good local cuisine. They were so knowledgeable and just fun to be around. I only wish we had more time. Book this tour!

We had an amazing day exploring Addis Ababa with our guide, Desale. He was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about sharing the history, culture, and daily life of Ethiopia. Throughout the tour he made us feel comfortable, answered all of our questions with patience, and showed us places we would never have discovered on our own. The tour was well organized, flexible, and perfectly paced. Desale’s enthusiasm and professionalism made the experience even more enjoyable. By the end of the day, we felt that we had gained a genuine understanding of Addis Ababa rather than just visiting the city’s main attractions. If you’re looking for a guide in Addis Ababa, we highly recommend Addis Authentic Tours. This is also a great way to use your layover if you are transiting. Thank you for making our first day in Ethiopia such a memorable one!

This was great. Would have been better with a guide, and one that speaks English. Long drive there and back with bad roads. But the baboon stop, the monastery and the Portuguese stop especially are well worth it. The food stop was a miss for me though. Little bit of a dive. One one traveler felt comfortable eating there. Overall still well worth it. Pack your food and drinks. I’d go for the Portuguese bridge alone 10/10.

We thoroughly enjoyed our day tour. Teshome was an excellent guide, friendly, interesting and informative and took us to plenty of interesting places. We also had a traditional Ethiopian meal which was delicious. Our thanks also to the driver. I would recommend this tour to anyone.

Yihun was a fantastic guide. The showed us Addis and were very friendly too. He was patient and took time to explain everything that was happening. Luckily for us, our tour fell on a day when everyone was commemorating lento and so the churches were full and bustling! Definitely recommend.

Addis Abeba is an amazing city and I couldn’t have a better tour guide as Desale and Kulen as a great driver. Desale was very knowledgeable and explained me a lot about the history and the culture of Ethiopia. He ensured that I enjoyed every moment and ensured that I didn’t missed all the important sights. He is very professional and was very flexible to adjust the program to my needs. I was astonished on his presentation & explanation at the museum and in all other places we visited

On February 28, my Etihad flight from Cochin to Chicago via Abu Dhabi was canceled due to the Middle East airspace closure related to the regional conflict. With many flights quickly selling out, I scrambled for alternatives and managed to reroute through Mumbai on Air India, followed by an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Chicago. The itinerary came with a 15-hour layover in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Airlines provided a transit visa and hotel room, but spending daylight hours in a hotel in a city I had never visited felt like a missed opportunity. So I booked a same-day private city tour. Within an hour, my guide and driver arrived, and the three of us set out to explore Addis Ababa. I was surprised by how modern and developed much of the city felt. The highlight was visiting the National Museum of Ethiopia, where I saw Lucy, the famous 3-million-year-old hominid fossil that helped reshape our understanding of human evolution. Nearby was Selam, an even older and remarkably preserved child fossil — a humbling reminder of how far back our human story goes. We also visited Merkato, the massive open-air market often described as the largest in Africa. Calling it a second-hand market barely captures it — it felt more like a cathedral of recycling, where everything imaginable finds a second or third life. Along the way I experienced Ethiopian coffee culture, which is almost ceremonial. I paid about $100 for the private tour, probably slightly above local prices, but the experience was excellent — especially considering it was arranged the same day. If you ever have the chance, I highly recommend a stopover in Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines and a quick city tour. What could have been a long layover became a fascinating glimpse into one of the cradles of human history.