• Mercato Market - Visit Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa, where nearly every imaginable item is available. Shopping at Mercato Market is one of the city’s must-do experiences, but navigating it requires local expertise. This exclusive shopping tour guides you to hidden traditional markets, including food tours in Addis and shopping areas popular with locals. Discover landmarks as you explore the lively city on foot and shop your way through Ethiopia’s capital on this full-day adventure. After a convenient hotel or airport pickup, travel with your guide to explore Addis Ababa’s top spots for authentic local products like coffee, jewelry, and leather. Visit notable locations such as Piazza, Zebra Souvenir/Gallery, and the Stadium. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious food tour and experience the traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony and coffee tasting.

• Meskel Square - Meskel Square is more than just a landmark; it is the vibrant heart of Addis Ababa, where history, culture, and community converge. This expansive square is surrounded by significant buildings and serves as a hub for local gatherings, festivals, and events celebrating Ethiopian heritage. The square is especially renowned for the annual Meskel Festival, which draws thousands of visitors and highlights the rich traditions of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Here, you can witness the ‘Demera,’ a bonfire ceremony symbolizing the discovery of the True Cross, an event of great religious importance. Visitors to Meskel Square will find themselves immersed in a lively atmosphere filled with people, vendors, and performers. The square is an excellent place to enjoy traditional Ethiopian coffee and observe the daily life of locals. Photographers will enjoy capturing the stunning views.

• Merab Hotel | Merkato | ምዕራብ ሆቴል | መርካቶ - Merkato serves the local population of Addis Ababa. “Merkato” means “market” in Italian. It gained popularity during the Italian Occupation of Addis Ababa (1936 – 1941). During this time, Merkato was the place where locals shopped and traded.

During this half-day guided tour, you’ll explore the fascinating labyrinths of the world’s most vibrant and colorful open-air marketplace and gain wonderful insights. Stalls are filled with mysterious potions, colorful piles of spices, coffee beans, and exquisite hand-knotted items. You’ll deepen your understanding of Ethiopian culture and customs, learn how to haggle, enjoy bargaining for the best prices, hear captivating stories, and discover exotic smells and sights. Get ready for a feast of the senses!

Note: We provide genuine, passionate tour guides to ensure a delightful, hassle-free, and unique experience. You’ll certainly avoid all scams and enjoy the beauty of your journey in Addis Ababa.

• National Museum of Ethiopia - The museum is divided into three sections. In the basement, the paleontological exhibition features many precious local archaeological finds, including the fossilized remains of early hominids, the most famous being “Lucy.” The collection is ranked among the most important in sub-Saharan Africa. On the ground floor, artifacts from the Aksumite, pre-Aksumite, Solomonic, and Gonderian periods are displayed. On the first floor, there is a vivid display of Ethiopian art ranging from early 14th-century parchment to 20th-century canvas oil paintings.

• Tomoca Coffee - Located in the Piazza area, Tomoca is the oldest coffee shop in Ethiopia, established in 1953.

• Addis Ababa - Experience the vibrant music scene in Addis Ababa. At one of the two best traditional Ethiopian restaurants in the city, enjoy a complete five-senses experience:
  • FEEL the texture of Enjera (Injera) – the spongy Ethiopian bread eaten with your fingers
  • TASTE deliciously hot local Ethiopian cuisine
  • LISTEN to the diverse rhythms of Ethiopian music from all over the country
  • SEE the captivating cultural dances at the best spot to enjoy a live music show

Have an Ethiopian local driver/guide to learn about the food, tribes, and culture. The show begins at 7:30 and ends at 10:30 pm. Get ready to be picked up by a Suzuki Dzire (3 or 4 people) or a Toyota Minivan (6 to 8 people) to Yod Abyssinia Cultural Restaurant. Enjoy an evening traditional Ethiopian dinner accompanied by live music at Yod Abyssinia Cultural Restaurant. Immerse yourself in the rhythms of traditional Ethiopian music and dance. Once the show concludes, you’ll be brought back to your starting point.

• Driver/guide with hotel pick up and drop off
• Ethiopian Cultural shows with coffee & ceremony attendance
• Car with fuel + WiFi on board
• All fees and/or taxes
• Drinking bottled water
• Lunch and open market walking tour

• Alcoholic beverages
• Tips for your driver/guide
• Dinner

Delight in the tastes of Ethiopian cuisine and the lively music scene in Addis Ababa. Begin your tour with a visit to the largest open-air market in East Africa, where you can explore various sections and experience the vibrant atmosphere of Ethiopia’s capital city throughout the day. Following the market, journey with your driver/guide to Addis Ababa’s top spots for authentic local products such as coffee beans, jewelry, and leather goods at the Stadium. Visit notable locations like Piazza, Zebra Souvenir & Gallery shops, and enjoy delicious food tours. Explore the National Museum, home to the 3-million-year-old fossil of Lucy, before returning to the starting point. Here, you’ll have ample time to refresh and prepare for a traditional Ethiopian dinner at 7:30 pm, accompanied by live music at Yod Abissinya cultural restaurant. Immerse yourself in the rhythms of traditional Ethiopian music and dance, and conclude your experience back at the starting point.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.