St Maryam Church is Addis Alem's most interesting building. It stands out for its lavish decoration: the basilica’s exterior, as well as the maqdas (inner sanctuary), is entirely covered with murals.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
24.44 MILES
Set within Haile Selassie’s former palace, and surrounded by the beautiful gardens and fountains of the university’s main campus, is the enthralling…
24.76 MILES
The collection on show at the National Museum is ranked among the most important in sub-Saharan Africa, but sadly many of its exhibits are poorly labelled…
'Red Terror' Martyrs Memorial Museum
24.9 MILES
‘As if I bore them all in one night, they slew them in a single night.’ These were the words spoken by the mother of four teenage children all killed on…
24.01 MILES
Commissioned by Emperor Menelik II to commemorate his stunning 1896 defeat of the Italians in Adwa, and dedicated to St George (Ethiopia’s patron saint),…
25.06 MILES
This massive and ornate cathedral is the second-most important place of worship in Ethiopia (ranking behind the Old Church of St Mary of Zion in Aksum)…
27.58 MILES
The Washa Mikael Church is a few kilometres east of Addis Ababa's town centre. Though local priests date it back to the 3rd century AD, it most probably…
23.14 MILES
Wading into the market chaos known as Merkato, just west of Addis' centre, can be as rewarding as it is exasperating. You may find the most eloquent aroma…
24.24 MILES
Long the symbol of Ethiopia’s monarchy, the Lion of Judah is ubiquitous throughout the country – and although images of the almighty animal abound in…
Nearby attractions
0.33 MILES
Next to St Maryam Church, this museum displays some surprising finds for such a nondescript regional town: crowns and clothing belonging to Menelik and…
12.52 MILES
One of the prettiest stands of forest in Western Ethiopia, Menagesha National Forest is an easy day trip from Addis. Almost a dozen trails (up to 9km in…
12.94 MILES
According to local tradition, Mt Menagesha (2800) is where many Ethiopian kings’ coronations were held. It’s best accessed from the Ambo road between…
4. Afewerk Tekle’s Home & Studio
21.83 MILES
A member of several international academies and with a drawer full of international decorations – about 100 at last count, including the British Order of…
23.14 MILES
Wading into the market chaos known as Merkato, just west of Addis' centre, can be as rewarding as it is exasperating. You may find the most eloquent aroma…
6. National Archives & Library of Ethiopia
23.92 MILES
Shelves groan under the weight of 20,000 books on Ethiopia. The English-language section is quite good.
7. St George Cathedral & Museum
24.01 MILES
Commissioned by Emperor Menelik II to commemorate his stunning 1896 defeat of the Italians in Adwa, and dedicated to St George (Ethiopia’s patron saint),…
24.11 MILES
The towering Derg Monument is one of the more poignant reminders of the country’s painful communist rule. Topped by a massive red star and emblazoned with…