Public travel plan
A Flexible Two-Day Addis Ababa City & Culture Guide
Use this as a flexible two-day way to explore Addis Ababa’s hotel, food, history and park stops, not as a fixed daily schedule. Check current opening arrangements, access requirements, prices and availability before set…
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Travel inspiration behind this plan
Plan notes
Useful context before you go
Use this as a flexible two-day way to explore Addis Ababa’s hotel, food, history and park stops, not as a fixed daily schedule. Check current opening arrangements, access requirements, prices and availability before setting out, especially for hotel venues and the National Palace. Driving around the city offers a chance to notice the electric cars and minibuses that are part of its changing streetscape.
Itinerary highlights
What is in this plan
Day 1: Sheraton Addis and its dining spots
Make this a hotel-focused day or use the property as an overnight base. The hotel tour includes an executive room with a city view, minibar, coffee station and bathroom, and mentions villas on the property. Breakfast offers hot dishes and a broad mix of other options; details are included at the breakfast restaurant stop. Stanley’s Bar is an evening option, while Temptation is the hotel pastry shop. JW Steakhouse was described as newly opening, so check its current status before planning around…
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Sheraton AddisSheraton Addis, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The hotel tour offers a look at an executive room’s city view, minibar, coffee station and bathroom, and mentions villas on the property.
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Sheraton Addis Breakfast RestaurantSheraton Addis Breakfast Restaurant, Sheraton Addis, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Breakfast includes hot dishes such as paratha, fried fish, bean stew, mushrooms and noodles, alongside fresh juices, dumplings, sushi and fruit. Ethiopian firfir combines injera with stew. The meat-free version uses oil rather than dairy butter.
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Stanley's BarStanley's Bar, Sheraton Addis, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Stanley’s Bar is presented as an evening gathering spot for drinks and relaxed social time within the hotel.
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Temptation Pastry ShopTemptation Pastry Shop, Sheraton Addis, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Temptation is the hotel’s pastry shop, a convenient place to pause for something sweet during a stay at the property.
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JW SteakhouseJW Steakhouse, Sheraton Addis, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The hotel tour showed JW Steakhouse as a newly opening restaurant, with private dining space and steak served with red wine. Check its current opening status before making plans.
Day 2: Addis Ababa history, city views and Friendship Park
The city drive offers a look at Addis Ababa’s changing streets: many electric cars and minibuses stood out, alongside a described push to reduce reliance on diesel. The park visit involves a substantial stair climb to the viewpoint. After exploring, cafés among the park’s trees and flowers offer a place to enjoy traditional Ethiopian coffee and the breeze.
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African Union HeadquartersAfrican Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The African Union headquarters is where representatives from 55 countries meet. The visit also touches on Ethiopia’s history, including its victory over Italian forces at Adwa in 1896.
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National PalaceNational Palace, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Once home to Emperor Haile Selassie, the palace exhibits include vehicles used for diplomatic welcomes, including a carriage used for Queen Elizabeth II, and train carriages donated by the French government and Queen Elizabeth. British cars are also linked to Haile Selassie’s return from exile. Talking with the guides can add context about his diplomacy and work on infrastructure, healthcare, education and law.
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Marcus AddisMarcus Addis, Head Office Tower, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Marcus Addis combines elevated views over the city with a menu that includes steak with sauce and fries, and half a chicken with potato and carrot. The restaurant is the creation of chef Marcus Samuelsson and has three private rooms overlooking Addis.
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Friendship ParkFriendship Park (Friendship Square), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Allow time for the substantial stair climb to the city viewpoint; the route passes flowers and music. Within the park, cafés nestled among trees and flowers serve traditional Ethiopian coffee, with a breeze and a view. The café is not separately pinned because its exact location within the park is unspecified.