Entoto Hills

Addis Ababa

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Entoto Hills

A steep climb (or car ride) up Mount Entoto is worth the time if only for the spectacular views over sprawling Addis Ababa unfolding from the top. On Sunday, the hilltop Maryam Church is open for mass (closed other days of the week), and the Entoto Maryam Museum showcases artefacts and personal belongings of Emperor Menelik, whose humble palace still stands not too far away.

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It takes heart to venture into the chaotic-looking, sprawling marketplace of Addis Ababa. Despite the first impression, the market is very much organised, subdivided into "quarters" dedicated to a specific kind of wares. Definitely come with a guide to help you navigate. Many vendors keep goods inside their permanent stalls, so what is being sold might not be apparent at first glance. Items worth browsing for are leather goods, silver jewellery, spices, and more.

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