Ethiopia is the cradle of humanity, the home of unique tribes, ancient civilizations, wildlife, mountains and scenic landscapes. The area of this country is very large, twice the size of Texas or France and Spain combined. It’s hard to see all the best places in one trip, and it takes a long time to visit most of the Top tourist Attractions.
The best places to visit in Ethiopia are very popular on our travel itinerary, and they turn out to be highly rated by our travelers. Depending on your interests, the best places to visit can be different. Whether you like cultural experiences, hiking, wildlife, safari, or visiting historical sites. We’ve compiled the best attractions you want to experience in Ethiopia.
1. Lalibela
Lalibela, once the medieval capital of Ethiopia, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the north of the country. It is the second holiest site of Ethiopian Christianity after Axum and the most important place of pilgrimage and devotion.
Lalibela is famous among travelers for its eleven churches carved into a single rock. It can be easily visited by a 45 min flight from Addis Ababa.
2. Danakil Depression and Erta Ale Volcano
Very beautiful the alien-looking landscape and the most inhospitable place on earth, For centuries Danakil Depression has been a source Salt Bar for the highland of Ethiopia carried by Camel caravans. There Volcano is Magical to see when the Lava lake Glowing and bubbling inside of the carter. The geological activity of the area crates Unique landscapes leaving vast land of salt Desert, lakes, hot springs with yellow, green, and orange deposits. It is a place travelers shouldn’t miss in the world.
3. Siemen Mountain
Simien mountain with its highest point in Ethiopia at Ras Dashen (4,550 m) is an overwhelming beautiful Landscape. Crated by a massive erosion over millions of years It has form jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices dropping some 1,500 m Deep, With abundant grassland. The mountain is the last refugee for some endemic and unique animals and plants to Ethiopia. For that reason, UNESCO registered it as a World Natural Heritage site. It is one of the most visited National parks in Ethiopia. Simien Mountain, offers you beautiful day trips or multi day trekking.
4. Bale Mountain
Bale Mountain is more famous for its biodiversity and wildlife than any other national park in Ethiopia. It is home to endemic Ethiopian animals such as the mountain Nyala, the rare Ethiopian wolf and Menelik’s Bushbuck and several species of birds. It also has the largest Afro-alpine habitat in Africa. The National Park area of 2,400 square kilometres (1,488 square miles) encompasses and protects spectacular mountain environments, deep gorges, alpine lakes, rushing streams, several waterfalls, volcanic plugs and peaks that descend into deep rocky gorges on their way to the plains below. The highest road in Africa passes through the Sanetti plateau, part of the park where it is possible to spot the rare Ethiopian wolf. Bale Mountain can be visited on an overnight trip or a multi day tour.
5. Lake Tana and its monasteries
Not only is Lake Tana the largest lake in Ethiopia, it is the source of the Blue Nile River that contributes around 85% of the water of the Nile, the longest river in the world. Besides being important for its birdwatching, fishing and ecological system. Lake Tana hides some of the most important monasteries, churches and Christian schools of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. It has great significance to Ethiopia’s history and is superbly witnessed by its impressive treasures and artistic wall paintings inside the churches. The can be visited by a boat trip from Bahrdar. Some of the monasteries are forbidden to women.
6. Omo Valley Tribes
The Lower Omo Valley is home to one of the last isolated tribes in the world, which are unique in their ancient cultures, languages, customs, and lifestyles. their life is largely connected with their cattle.To reflect their social status they perform ritual ceremonies , body scarification, elaborate beads, necklaces, body paintings, hairstyles, and Rite of Passage. Although it is almost impossible to avoid contact with the outside world, they manage to preserve their ways of life and culture so unaltered. Omo Valley can be visited on multi days trip from Addis Ababa.
7. Gheralta Mountain
The view of the Gheralta mountain ranges is amazingly beautiful. It has unique combinations of geographical location, color, and erosion forms. The challenges to climb it on the rocky cliffs by feet and handholds carved into the sandstone is the best Adventurous to experience. On the top of its sheer cliffs, it hides some of the most inaccessible rock cuts churches of Ethiopia dated back to the 4th century according to the church’s history. It is possible to visit Gehralta mountain on day trips and and several day tours and trekkings.
8. Gondar
The vibrant city Gondar was once the capital of the Ethiopian Empire from 1632 to 1855. It is most famous for the Castle and medieval Churches built by a series of emperors inside of the royal enclosure. Nicknamed the Camelot of Africa because there are no similar castles built in sub-Saharan Africa. Gonder was an important commercial and cultural center of the Ethiopian empire. The city’s former status as a cultural oasis is reflected in its beautiful murals of the churches. The Castles of Gondar Can be visited on a city tour.
9. Axum
Axum is an ancient city where Ethiopian civilization is flourished. It is the birthplace of the Queen of Sheba where her descendants ruled the country for centuries and lasted until 1974. Axum has been one of the four most powerful kingdoms of the world. The living history of the Axumit kingdom can be learned by visiting the stele fields or obelisk. It is a big monument that is carved from and Erected from a single stone. The Queen of Sheba’s Bath, museum and Tombs of the Kings of Axum has great archaeological importance. Axum Zion Mariam is where the original Arc of the covenant is kept . the Arc of the covenant is the Holiest Item in the Bible. All the attractions can be visited on a city tour of Axum.
10. Harar
Harar is a walled city with 5 gates, which was built by Emir Nur in the 1560s. Its strategic location to the port and being a trade route make Harar a rich commercial center and a center of Islamic studies. It has about 99 mosques in just 1 square kilometer of old city area. Harar’s narrow streets with colorful houses and its shrines attract many people. Harar is also famous for its culture of welcoming new people. There is a tradition of feeding hyenas once a year on a special holiday. If you can’t be on that special day, there is the Hyena Man who feeds the wild hyenas on an open field. It is also common for tourists to feed the hyenas. Harar can be visited on a city tour.
11. Bahrdar
Bahir Dar is situated on the shore of Lake Tana and the outlet of the Blue Nile River. The immense scenic beauty, outstanding natural and cultural wealth of the city have helped it to become the political capital of the Amhara regional state. The lake port is used as a starting point to visit the monasteries of the islands of Lake Tana. Bahrdar is one of the best cities in Ethiopia. Its beautiful boulevards are lined with beautiful trees. gives a nice walk with fresh air from the lake. Only 30 km from Bhardar you have the Blue Nile Falls where the water goes deep into the gorges and starts its journey to Egypt. One day is enough to see the attractions of Bahrdar and its surroundings.