If you’re curious about the best places to visit in Ethiopia, you’re in the right spot. Ethiopia is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa, with over 109 million people making it the second most populous nation on the continent. While it may not have the large game reserves seen in other African countries, Ethiopia is home to numerous stunning natural wonders and rich cultural heritage sites.
Ethiopia boasts rugged mountains, majestic waterfalls, vast landscapes with hot springs, and ancient monolithic churches and ruins of old cities. Excited yet? Let’s dive into some of the best destinations in Ethiopia to help you plan your trip.
The Semien Mountains in northern Ethiopia are part of the Ethiopian Highlands. This rugged mountain range includes the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia’s largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The landscape here is dominated by plateaus separated by valleys, steep rocky cliffs, and towering mountain pinnacles. Some peaks rise above 4,000 meters, with Ras Dejen being the highest at 4,550 meters. Other notable peaks include Mount Kidis Yared and Mount Biuat. The Semien Mountains are one of Ethiopia’s top hiking destinations, offering some of Africa’s best trekking routes, and are famously home to the Gelada monkeys, a unique species found only in the Ethiopian Highlands.
Harar, surrounded by a centuries-old defensive wall, is another notable city in Ethiopia and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Known as “The City of Saints,” Harar is the fourth holiest city in Islam after Mecca, Jerusalem, and Medina. The city is rich in Harari Muslim cultural heritage and offers a well-preserved historical town filled with a maze of small, narrow streets and traditional townhouses. Harar boasts 82 mosques, some dating back to the 10th century, and several vibrant markets.
The Danakil Depression is one of the most extreme places on Earth. Formed by the separation of the African and Asian tectonic plates, it’s about 100 meters below sea level, making it one of the lowest spots on the planet. Known for its scorching temperatures, often surpassing 50°C, the Danakil Depression features some of Ethiopia’s most spectacular geological wonders. The Dallol geothermal field is renowned for its colorful hydrothermal pools and terraces, which change colors due to variable oxidation. Erta Ale, Ethiopia’s most active volcano, hosts one of the world’s few persistent lava lakes. The area is also home to Ethiopia’s traditional salt mining, where salt is processed by hand and transported via camels and donkeys.
Lalibela is famous for its unique subterranean, rock-cut churches, which date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. These churches are important pilgrimage sites for Christians and some feature beautifully colored frescoes. Lalibela is considered one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities, surpassed only by Axum.
Addis Ababa, the capital and largest city of Ethiopia, is your likely gateway upon arrival. It’s wise to spend a day or two here to acclimate to the new environment. Highlights include the National Museum, home to “Lucy,” one of the oldest and most complete hominid skeletons, and Addis Mercato, the largest open-air market in Africa. For an elevated view, visit Entoto Mountain, which towers over the city at 3,200 meters and houses several sacred monasteries, including Saint Mary and Saint Raguel. Don’t forget to try the local Ethiopian cuisine and coffee, with Tomoca Coffee being a renowned coffee roaster in the city.
Bahir Dar, known as the “Ethiopian Riviera,” is a leading tourist city with wide streets and beautiful lake views. It serves as a gateway to the Blue Nile Falls and Lake Tana. The city also hosts ancient monasteries from the 16th and 17th centuries and the bustling Bahir Dar Market. Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake, is the source of the Blue Nile, while the Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Abay, are noted for their breathtaking height and width, especially during the rainy season.
Aksum, one of the centers of ancient civilization in Ethiopia, houses ruins dating from the 1st to the 13th century A.D. This UNESCO World Heritage Site includes ancient obelisks, royal tombs, and the remnants of ancient castles, offering a glimpse into Ethiopia’s storied past.
These diverse and historically rich locations make Ethiopia a truly unique destination worth exploring.