Located in the highlands fringing the Great Rift Valley, Addis Ababa serves as the political, cultural and commercial centre of Ethiopia. This sprawling city rests in the foothills of the Entoto Mountains and features a mix of traditional homes, elegant villas, and tall office buildings. Visitors can look forward to a selection of wonderful activities including: visiting the National Museum, displaying local art, traditional crafts and prehistoric fossils; exploring the copper-domed Holy Trinity Cathedral, a Neo-Baroque architectural landmark; and sampling rich Ethiopian coffee as well as the memorable cuisine featuring spicy stews and Ethiopia’s signature Injera bread.
Situated on the southern shores of Lake Tana in northern Ethiopia, Bahir Dar serves as the capital city of the Amhara region. The city features palm-lined avenues and was awarded the 'UNESCO Cities for Peace Prize' in 2002, for addressing the challenges of rapid urbanisation. Bahir Dar is a popular tourist destination in Ethiopia, offering a wonderful selection of attractions in the surrounding area. Visit some of the world’s oldest medieval monasteries and churches on the islands scattered within Lake Tana, and discover the spectacular Blue Nile Falls, featuring a 45-metre drop, an impressive 400-metre width, and an array of misty rainbows.
Situated southwest of the Simien Mountains, north of Lake Tana, Gondar once served as the royal capital of the ancient Ethiopian Empire. Known as the ‘Camelot of Africa’, Gondar is home to the World Heritage Site of Fasil Ghebbi, a fortress-city previously inhabited by to the Ethiopian emperor Fasilides. Visitors can enjoy a wide selection of wonderful activities. Explore the ancient Gondar Castle, a medieval castle and palace complex; the 17th century Church of Debre Sina, featuring biblical murals on every wall; and visit the beautiful nearby Simien Mountains National Park. Don’t miss a visit to Ras Dashen, the highest mountain in Ethiopia.
Situated in northern Ethiopia, Axum, also Aksum, is the ancient capital of the old Kingdom of Axum, one of the most important historical sites in sub-Saharan Africa. The town of Axum is the centre of a myriad of religious mysteries. It is said to be the home of the biblical Ark of the Covenant, the previous home of the Queen of Sheba and it is believed to be the resting place of one of the wise men. Axum's historical archaeological sites have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The undeniable highlight of this ancient city and its most renowned surviving monuments is a group of memorial monolithic obelisks, or stelae, built between the third and fourth centuries A.D.
Hawzen – also spelled Hawzien - is found in the region of Tigray in northern Ethiopia. A remote destination, Hawzen will reward history lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike, with some great sights and attractions on offer in its immediate surrounds. As well as a lively Wednesday Market and four ancient slabs (stelae) on offer in town, it is the ancient rock churches of the surrounding mountains that make a trip to Hawzen so special. Churches and monasteries such as Debre Damo, Petros we Paulos, Medhane Alem Adi Kasho and Abuna Yemata Guh (the highlight of the area) can be reached from town, though note that some will require hiking and even climbing to access, and so you can safely budget a full day for each excursion.
