Mekele's main cultural draw is the Atse Yohannes Palace Museum, where Emperor Yohannes IV's 19th-century residence has been turned into an impressive collection of imperial artifacts and church treasures. The city market is a good place to watch daily life and pick up local produce and textiles.
The city is primarily a base for two of Ethiopia's most extraordinary experiences: tours to the Danakil Depression and day trips to the Tigray rock-hewn churches scattered through the highland cliffs west of the city. Both require some planning but are well worth the effort.