Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, sits at 2,355 meters, which keeps the weather generally mild year-round, with warm days and cool nights. Visitors often stop at the National Museum (home to the fossil “Lucy”), the Ethnological Museum, and the sprawling Merkato market, one of Africa’s largest. The local currency is the Ethiopian birr (ETB), and cash is still more widely used than cards. Prices for food, taxis, and entrance fees are relatively low compared to Europe or North America, though quality can vary. Rain is most common from June to September, so the drier months are easier for sightseeing.