Ethiopia

Cost of living

What a month costs

Local food, transport and coffee are very cheap, but imported goods and expat-standard housing cost a lot. The 2024 float of the birr pushed import prices up sharply, so budgets shift with the exchange rate.

The scores

How it rates for a moving family

See and do

Top 10 in Addis Ababa

1. National Museum of EthiopiaHome of Lucy, the famous 3.2-million-year-old hominid skeleton, plus royal regalia and ancient art.
2. Holy Trinity CathedralThe grand Orthodox cathedral and burial place of Emperor Haile Selassie.
3. Ethnological MuseumSet inside Haile Selassie's former palace on the university campus, strong on cultures and daily life.
4. MerkatoOne of Africa's largest open-air markets, a sprawling maze of stalls and trade.
5. Meskel SquareThe vast central plaza used for festivals, rallies and the annual Meskel bonfire celebration.
6. Entoto ParkForested mountain slopes above the city with eucalyptus trails, viewpoints and the historic Entoto Maryam church.
7. Unity ParkThe restored grounds of the National Palace, opened to the public with gardens, pavilions and a small zoo.
8. Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial MuseumA sobering museum documenting the Derg era and its victims.
9. St George's CathedralAn octagonal Orthodox cathedral with a museum, tied to Emperor Menelik II and the Battle of Adwa.
10. Adwa Victory MemorialA modern cultural and museum complex marking Ethiopia's 1896 defeat of the Italian army.

Where to go

Weekend escapes

1. Bishoftu (Debre Zeit)A relaxed town of volcanic crater lakes about 45 minutes south, popular for lakeside lodges and swimming.
2. Debre LibanosA cliff-top monastery north of the city, paired with the old Portuguese Bridge and a dramatic gorge full of gelada baboons.
3. Wenchi Crater LakeA stunning highland caldera southwest of Addis, with horse rides, an island monastery and hot springs.
4. Lake LanganoA brown-water Rift Valley lake around three hours south, the classic weekend beach escape from the capital.
5. Adama and SodereA busy Rift Valley town with nearby hot-spring resorts, an easy overnight for warm weather and a change of altitude.

Coffee

Best cafes

1. Tomoca CoffeeThe city's legendary roaster since 1953, standing room only for tiny cups of strong local coffee.
2. Kaldi's CoffeeThe big homegrown chain, comfortable branches across the city with pastries and full breakfasts.
3. Garden of CoffeeA stylish spot showcasing single-origin Ethiopian beans and traditional roasting.
4. Alem BunnaA well-known Ethiopian coffee brand with easy cafe branches around town.

Restaurants

Where to eat

1. Yod AbyssiniaThe famous traditional restaurant with nightly music and dance, a rite of passage for injera and cultural shows.
2. Habesha 2000A large cultural restaurant serving classic Ethiopian dishes alongside live performance.
3. KategnaA popular, unpretentious spot loved for its firfir and generous traditional platters.
4. Ristorante CastelliA storied Italian restaurant running since 1948, a nod to Addis Ababa's Italian culinary thread.
5. Gusto RestaurantA long-running favourite for Italian food and pizza in a relaxed setting.
6. Aladdin RestaurantA well-established address for Middle Eastern and Arabic cooking.
7. Lucy RestaurantA leafy garden restaurant beside the National Museum, handy for a meal after the exhibits.

Morning

Best breakfast

1. Enrico Pastry & CakeA historic pastry house from the Italian era, good for coffee, cakes and a slow morning.
2. Kaldi's CoffeeReliable for eggs, pastries and Ethyopian firfir breakfasts across many branches.
3. SishuA modern bakery and cafe known for fresh bread, healthy plates and a strong breakfast crowd.
4. Garden of CoffeeA calm morning choice for excellent local coffee and light bites.
5. Tomoca CoffeeStart the day the local way with a quick, powerful macchiato standing at the counter.