The Top 7 Cities to visit in Ethiopia, the Motherland

Have you always dreamed of visiting Africa and do not know where to start? The answer is easy when it comes to choosing Ethiopia; the land of Lucy’s bones, delicious honey wine, and injera. Every region of Ethiopia is vastly different than the next. What makes Ethiopia so diverse is not only its people, but its land steeped in thousands of years of history. The best time of year to visit Ethiopia is during the dry season between October to June. This is not to say visiting in July to September will be a bad experience; this period is the rainy season, so expect much more wetness. Here are seven cities that will make their mark on your trip.

Arba Minch (40 Springs) Located in the Gamo Gofa Zone in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples (SNNP) Region of Ethiopia about 311 miles south from the capital Addis Ababa, this southwest city will change your view on wildlife forever. Here, you can see many animals on foot or by boat. With a tropical savanna climate, this town was coined 40 Springs because of the various hot springs that envelop its land.

 Nechisar National Park/ Lake Chamo/ Lake Abaya/ Bridge of God Nechisar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an isthmus that connects the two largest lakes in Ethiopia, Lake Chamo and Lake Abaya. Nechisar is also directly known to Ethiopians as The Bridge of God. It is recommended that a guard is rented for a day trip to Nechisar, someone who can take you around and show you the land. Since Nechisar can be only accessed by boat, you will be able to see much wildlife on the ride to the park including crocodiles, hippos, and pelicans in their natural habitat. Inside Nechisar you can view zebras and gazelles, along with other wildlife on foot.

 Arba Minch Forest Take a hike alongside baboons, warthogs, and more in the wild in this beautiful forest. Take a dip in one of the many tiny pools or springs that sprinkle the forest. You may even get a glimpse of a lion. Just kidding! They only come out at night and are nestled deep inside the forest, much farther than humans trek.

 Paradise Lodge This is a MUST see in Arba Minch. To get the best view of the city, stay or simply eat a meal at the wonderful Paradise Lodge. Nestled on a cliff overlooking the forest, you will be able to experience the true unmarked natural beauty of the sunset over The Bridge of God with Lake Chama and Lake Abaya.

Awassa (also spelled Hawassa) This lake side city is 170 miles north of Arba Minch, about a 5 hour drive. This drive seems far, but it is not, and many people do both cities in one trip. Also located in the SNNP region, it hosts beautiful Lake Awassa and has the same type of climate as Arba Minch. A plethora of fauna and wildlife can be witnessed just by simply walking throughout the town.

 Lake Awassa Go on a boat ride and observe hippos in their natural habitat. Sit by the lake where you can enjoy freshly cooked fish caught that morning by local fishermen. As you sip a local beer such as St. George’s, don’t be surprised if you have some locals that come to greet you. No, this is not referring to the people who live there, but the monkeys! Watch out, because they are sneaky and will climb up in the trees close to you. Hold your food tight!  Tikur Wuha Fish Market (Dark Water Fish Market) Take a walk to the local fish market where you can witness enormous curious storks walking around and local fisherman emptying their boats. It is a very interesting site to see surrounded by beautiful trees and local birds. The earlier the better, so remember your camera, because you’ll want to capture it all.

 St. Gebriel Orthodox Church The best time to visit this incredible church is during the months of July or December when the feast of St. Gabriel can be experienced. With its tall pillars and gold painted domes, this is a site you do not want to miss.

Bahir Dar Come to this northwestern Ethiopian city where palm trees line the streets and vibrant flowers can be seen all over. Bahir Dar is the capital city of the Amhara region. It has a warm and temperate climate. This city is about 310 miles north of Addis Ababa, and the waterfall alone is worth the trip.

 Blue Nile Falls This waterfall is one of the top tourist attractions in Ethiopia and it will not disappoint. Found on the Blue Nile River, its Amharic name is Tis Aray or Tis Issat (The Great Smoke), and comes from the rich mist that sprouts up from the waterfall’s base. The falls can only be accessed by two hiking routes, so bring your hiking boots to come see one of the many great wonders of Ethiopia’s land. Pack your binoculars too to capture spectacular wildlife such as monkeys and birds.

 Lake Tana This is the largest lake in Ethiopia and a beautiful one at that. The deepest parts of the lake are about 50 feet deep and its source is the Blue Nile River. The most unique part about Lake Tana is a very secluded island called Tana Qirqos. Tana Qirqos is considered a holy island that is the home to Ethiopian monks who live there.

 Ura Kidane Mehret This charming historical monastery on the Zege Peninsula can only be accessed by boat, about an hour ride, but it is worth it. Even before stepping inside, you will be encapsulated by a forest of coffee trees. Founded in the 14th century, this monastery is incredibly distinctive of Ethiopian churches by its circular structure.

Gonder Have you ever wondered how Ethiopian royalty lived hundreds of years ago? Gonder is known to most Ethiopians and tourists for its famous fortress compound, once the home of Ethiopian emperors. Just about 107 miles north of Bahir Dar, if waterfalls and hiking aren’t your thing, come get lost in a maze of high stone walls and history. With a mild, generally warm and temperate climate, you can find it a little bit colder than Bahir Dar.

 Fasil Ghebbi These ruins of a 17th century fortress city are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its striking stone pillars and enormous wall that surrounds the area, Fasil Ghebbi is a very special place in Ethiopian history. Complete with a castle, visiting this special compound is just like walking out of a history book.

 Fasilides Bath Only a short drive away from Fasil Ghebbi, this bathhouse has been said to be underappreciated by many tourists. While this place is beautiful to visit year round, the best time to visit is January 19, the only time of the year the bath is filled to celebrate the Ethiopian holiday of Epiphany.

 Debre Birhan Selassie This church is not to be confused with Debra Birhan Selassie Church in the city of Debra Birhan. What is so special about this church is it is considered by many Ethiopians as one of the most important churches in the country. Come see what makes this church exceptional by walking in and looking up at its very unique ceiling.

Harar One of the holy cities of Islam can be found in eastern Ethiopia and is about 321 miles from the capital Addis Ababa. This ancient walled city is the capital of the Harari region and a walking museum. In one day you can you feed a hyena, have a beer at Harar Brewery, and walk the market to buy beautiful beaded scarves. With a subtropical highland climate, the days can get very warm, but with cool mornings and nights.

 Inside the Walls Simply walking throughout the mazelike passageway streets and visiting all six gates is a tourist site in itself. Colorfully painted stone walls, cobblestone streets, and intricately designed wooden doors and doorways, mixed with small mosques all make up this unique ancient city. Remember, to get the true Harar experience, stay inside the citadel walls, the Old City, also known as Jugal. Feed the hawks, eat camel meat, and buy vibrant beaded scarves at the local market, but remember, bargain hard!

 Feed Hyenas This is a must in Harar, if you are brave enough. Harar is famous for its hyena man and he does not fail his customers. Don’t fret, as they are trained and of course are tamed. Trust me, getting closer to the hyenas doesn’t make them cuter, but it definitely makes you seem cooler.

 Harar Brewery Hakim Stout, a delicious dark beer by Harar Brewery is a staple in all bars in Ethiopia. What makes this brewery so special is the water is locally sourced from Genela Spring found on the brewery grounds. Sit outside and drink a frosty cold mug of Hakim Stout.

Lalibela For tourists who know anything about Ethiopia, they have for sure heard of Lalibela, a holy city steeped in history, literally. Many people trek to this city only to experience its rock-cut, cross-shaped churches. This city has a warm and temperate climate and is in the Amhara region in northern Ethiopia, about 532 miles north of the capital. Did we mention it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

 Rock-Hewn Churches Why bother visiting Ethiopia if you’re not going to see enormous monolithic stone churches carved from ancient rock? It’s like going to Egypt and not seeing the pyramids; these are a must see. In total, there are 11 churches, all connected through a series of secret tunnels and catacombs.

 Ben Abeba You cannot visit Lalibela and not have a meal at this incredible restaurant which sits on the edge of a cliff. From far away, it may look like a modern space ship, but once you get up close to it you realize, yes, it still looks like a spaceship. Spend a day traversing the ancient churches, and then have a scrumptious traditional Ethiopian meal at this truly unique restaurant.

 Yemrehanna Krestos Church This ancient cave church made of wood and plaster was alleged to have been built between the 11th and 12th centuries, making it older than the other rock-hewn churches that were starting to be built in the 12th century. This is not part of the rock-hewn church complex, but is not to be overlooked. Seriously, it is amazing.

Mek’ele Did we lose you yet? Our last city on the list is pretty far north, (580 miles north of Addis), but it will not disappoint. Mekele is the capital city of the Tigray region and almost 7,000 feet above sea level. It hosts a tropical savanna climate; during the day it can get pretty hot. It is the second largest city in Ethiopia after the capital.

 Aksum Imagine enormously tall stone pillars towering over you and you have Aksum. Walk around and be surrounded by remains of an ancient kingdom dating back to 400 BCE. I am sure you wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Aksum is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What was that? Oh yes, I agree, Ethiopia does not disappoint.

 Wukro Chirkos Only a 45 minute drive from Mekele, this rock-hewn church is not to be missed. It is another Orthodox monolithic church that is said by many sources to date back to the 4th century and is said to be the oldest rock-hewn church in Ethiopia.

 Rock-Hewn Churches (Abuna Yemeta Guh, Daniel Korkor, Maryam Korkor) Climbing to see these churches is scarier and much more brazen than having hyenas eat scraps of meat out of your hands in Harar. Finding a local guide in town or from your hotel is definitely recommended as the short, yet very steep climb for Abuna can be impossible solo. These churches are a two hour drive from Mekele, but are well worth it.

There really is no way you can go wrong visiting Ethiopia. This article was a mere glimpse at amazing destinations you can visit, but there are thousands more in Ethiopia, and yes, this includes an active volcano. We’ll save that for another day.