Must See

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa was founded in 1887 and by Emperor Menelik, and has since become the capital of modern Ethiopia, and gateway for most tourists. It is the country's manufacturing, commercial and cultural centre, and the site of an international airport, the focus of a highway network and the terminus of a railroad to the Gulf of Aden port of Djibouti. Its high elevation gives the city a mild, pleasant climate.

This sprawling city is crossed by broad avenues and is well wooded with eucalyptus trees. Modern, multi-storeyed buildings sit side by side with traditional one- and two story structures and open spaces. Of note, are the modern Africa Hall with its dramatic stained-glass windows, the octagon-shaped Saint George Coptic Christian Cathedral (1896) and the Menelik II Palace, as well as several museums with collections of art, ethnology and archaeology; particularly the Ethnographic Museum, home to Lucy, the 3.5 million year old skeleton.

Aksum

Also known as Axum, this small town surrounded by dry hills is the ancient royal capital and holiest city in Ethiopia, renowned for the 16th century Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion and for multi-storeyed ancient carved granite obelisks. The cathedral church is built on the site of a much older church dating from the 4th century AD; however, only a platform and the wide stone steps remain from the earlier structure. The Cathedral is the repository of the crowns of some of Ethiopia's former emperors, and according to legend, it also houses the original Ark of the Covenant - making it the holiest sanctuary in Ethiopia.

Blue Nile Falls

Visitors can trace the path of the Blue Nile from its source near Lake Tana, famed for its island monasteries, down stream towards the deserts of the Sudan. The river may be best appreciated just 30 km from the point where the river first leaves Lake Tana, at the wide Blue Nile Falls, a spectacular sight, especially after the rains. The water plunges 45 m down a sheer drop, throwing up a continuous mist that saturates the countryside up to 1 km away. The gentle mist also produces rainbows that shimmer across the gorge and a pillar of cloud in the sky above that can be seen from afar. This explains the local name for the falls: Tissisat - water that smokes.

Visitors approaching to the falls through Tissisat village will find themselves surrounded by an entourage of guides, who, for a small fee, will point out many places of historic interest.

Debre Damo

The spectacular 6th century monastery of Debre Damo is situated on an isolated cliff top some 40 miles east of from Aksum. Visitors must make the 2 hour walk up a steep hill to reach the monastery, before climbing 25 metres up a sheer cliff. This is done using a safety rope, which the monks lower down to the visitor, who ties it around their waist. A second, thicker rope is then used to climb up.

Once inside the monastery, there are a number of treasures to be seen, including an extensive collection of illuminated manuscripts (the oldest surviving fragments of texts in Ethiopia), a large number of paintings and intricate carvings on the ceiling and beams of the ancient church. There is also a stone outside the monastery, which Saint Abuna Aragawi (said to have founded the site after being lifted to the top of the cliff by a giant serpent) laid his cross on. This stone is kissed by all who enter the monastery.

However, it is worth bearing in mind that like most Ethiopian monasteries, women are not allowed to enter Debre Damo.

Gondar

Africa's Camelot; the former capital, and focal point of the country's historical routes, distinguished by its many medieval castles and churches. Founded in 1635 by Emperor Fasilidas, the town remained the capital of Ethiopia until 1855, becoming a centre of religious learning and art.

The Emperor Fasilidas was greatly interested in architecture, and ordered the construction of the main castle, a number of bridges, seven churches and a three-story stone pavilion set next to a large, rectangular, sunken bathing place. This is filled during the Timket (Epiphany) season with water from the nearby Qaha river.

The city is positioned at an altitude of more than 2,300 meters and commands magnificent views over farmlands to the waters of Lake Tana 35 km to the south.

Harar

Harar is located on a hilltop in the eastern extension of the Ethiopian highlands about 500 km from Addis Ababa. The city was founded between the 7th and the 11th century and emerged as the centre of Islamic culture and religion in the Horn of Africa. The city has been included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO in recognition of its cultural heritage, including its great encircling wall, unique buildings and well fashioned gates.

It is also home to a great number of mosques (3 of which date from the 10th century) and more than 100 shrines, centred on Feres Magala square. Notable buildings include Medhane Alem Cathedral, the 16th century Jami Mosque and the Military Academy, which is noted for its stained glass windows depicting Ethiopian warriors of former days. These windows were designed by Afewerk Tekle, an Ethiopian artist renowned for his stained glass work in Addis Ababas Africa Hall, the Headquarters of the U.N. Economic Commission for Africa. An equestrian statue of Ras Makonnen, governor of Harar at the turn of the century is another of his works, which stands nearby, just a few minutes walk from the Ras Hotel.

The well maintained road from Dire Dawa to Harar provides the visitor with an enjoyable journey with a number of panoramic views. The road winds through the scorching lowlands to the cool Harari highlands, passing through mountain scenery including sheer walls of naked rock, descents into deep ravines and lofty slopes wooded with eucalyptus, acacia and various types of cactus.

Lalibela

Lalibela (previously known as Roha) is named after King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela, who ruled Ethiopia in the late 12th century and early 13th century. The town is one of Ethiopia's holiest cities, second only to Aksum, and is a centre of pilgrimage for much of the country. Pilgrims flock to the 11 monolithic churches, carved straight out of the bedrock. Legend has it that these were made with the help of angels. The finest of these churches is the Church of St. George (Bete Giyorgis), which has been described by some as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'. The church complex is 25m x 25m x 30m, with a small baptismal pool outside the church.

Simien Mountains National Park

Here you can spot a variety of unique wildlife species and scale the 4,620 metre-high Ras Dashen, Africa's fourth-highest peak, in the heart of the Ethiopian Highlands. The Rift Valley Lakes to the south are also great for wildlife, notably flamingos.

Yeha

Yeha is the country's earliest high civilisation, located in the north of Ethiopia, several hours drive from the city of Aksum. The village is home to the country's oldest standing structure: the towering ruins of the Temple of the Moon - built more than 2,500 years ago, in Sabaean times. Although the temple has long since lost its roof and upper storeys, the walls of the ruins still stand some 12 metres in height.