Entoto Hill

Forested ridge above the city with panoramic views and Menelik's original palace

The eucalyptus-covered ridge north of the city offers the best views over Addis Ababa, the sprawling capital laid out below in shades of grey and terracotta, with the highlands rising beyond. The walk or drive up takes about 30 minutes from the city centre.

At the top, Menelik's original palace from the 1880s still stands in partial ruins, and the octagonal Entoto Maryam Church is one of the oldest in Addis. Women wrapped in white shawls climb the hill on foot to pray at dawn, particularly on Ethiopian Orthodox holy days, lending the morning visits a genuinely spiritual atmosphere. The Entoto Natural Park covers the forested slopes and has hiking trails. Bring a jacket — the elevation here is around 3,000 metres and noticeably cooler than downtown.

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A story
Emperor Menelik II originally planned to build his capital on Entoto Hill, and the remains of his palace and church are still here. He moved the capital down to the hot springs at the base of the hill — the place that became Addis Ababa — partly because the upland forests were being rapidly depleted for firewood, and the springs offered a warmer, more hospitable site.