City Tour Shopping Food Tours Open Market (flexible)

I had a 24hr layover in Addis. This was a great way to spend the time, seeing the city, having an authentic meal. I had the best Injera ever! The tour is also super flexible and customizable based on your interest.

We had about 5-6 hours to see the city and we went on this tour with Yonas. He really made sure that we made the most out of our short stay in the city: we had a fantastic and authentic breakfast and lunch, tried amazing Ethiopian coffee in the oldest cafe in the city, checked out the market and the modern face of the city, as well as views og the city from above. I was sceptical at first that we'd fit all this in but Yonas knows the city inside and out so managing all this was super easy and smooth! Yonas is a super friendly and knowledgeable guy who knows everything about his country and really takes the time to get to know his guests and what they like in order to really tailor the tour to their needs and interests. Would definitely recommend!

If you want to see Addis like a local, I highly recommend this tour. You will definitely need a guide to see the real Mercato and Adisu is that person. He will show you how the locals shop and walk you through the tiniest most obscure of the market stalls. Be sure to wear close-toed shoes, as the street can get wet and muddy.

Yonus was AMAZING. I’m passing through Addis Ababa on the Ethiopian Airlines Stopover Program and wanted to do a tour to see the city. I booked the tour because they’d said Yonus was a great tour guide and they were absolutely right. He came to my hotel and was even early for pick up and had a clean car to pick me up in. No one else signed up for the tour so it was just the two of us touring around the city. When I got in, he asked me what I wanted to do and tailored the day to fit what I wanted. We grabbed breakfast & tea, walked around the market at my request, did a coffee ceremony, went to the top of the mountain, took me to a couple rooftops to see the city as I’m an avid photographer, and had lunch before dropping me off at my requested time for my flight. I stick out a bit, I’m tall with blonde hair and blue eyes and was worried about safety, especially in the busy market, but little did I know that with Yonus I wouldn’t have to worry whatsoever. He was incredibly professional and made sure I was comfortable by checking in every so often during the day while still being incredibly personable. He walked right next to me in the market and made sure no one made me feel unsafe or uncomfortable. If I ever know anyone to pass through Addis Ababa, I will definitely personally give them Yonus’ number so he can be their tour guide. I may even come back through so he can show me the jazz scene as I love Ethiopian Jazz. Absolutely highly recommend.

Touch the vibrant atmosphere of Merkato and the deep religious faith. Alam will show you the heart of this special city.

Yonas was assigned to us via get your guide for another trio in Ethiopia. A few days later we messaged him to see if he would take us on a tour of Addis Ababa. What a great guy. We told him the basics of what we wanted to do and then he added the Yonas touch to make it special. Great English, knowledgable, funny and kind, spending time with Yonas as we explored the giant mercato was amazing and always felt safe in his presence. We also went to the piazza to the first Italian coffee house which was a must do! Then on to the Palace. Nothing is too much for Yonas and he is always really very keen to help. A top guide for a top city.

I ended up in Addis on forced vacation so needed to organize myself quickly to see as much as I could with proper level of information. I found Yonas! Yonas is such a nice person and also a great guide and driver with an excellent level of English I was able to customize the tour the way I wanted based on his suggestions as well. Yonas is extremely knowledgeable about history, culture and diverse regions and sites in Ethiopia. One thing you should know is he is actually also leading group travels (small groups, which is best) outside of Addis Ababa to visit other regions. My day in Addis with him was great and I would rebook him.

I had the perfect day in Addis Ababa with Yonas! As a woman traveling solo, I wanted a guide to visit the Merkato. I not only got an expert guide but also a friend and traveling companion for the day, and it was a day I will never forget. Among other things, I learned first hand that the Ethiopian people have a wonderful sense of humor, are trustworthy, warm and outgoing, that plastics are being recycled in creative ways, and that potatoes are best served with spices. Thank you, Yonas, for an authentic cultural experience in Addis!!

We decided to blend two tours into one incredible day, and I’m so glad we did. A big thank you to the Explore Daily Addis Tours team for making it seamless! Our guide and driver, Henok, met us right on time. He was not only welcoming and knowledgeable but also shared fascinating insights, not just about Ethiopian cuisine, but everyday life in Ethiopia as well. The food stops were authentic and full of charm, little hidden gems we’d never have discovered on our own. And trust me, you won’t leave hungry! One of the highlights was exploring a vibrant local Market (Mercato) afterward, where we could wander, shop, and the Mercato Market in the atmosphere at our own pace. Special thanks to our consultant for organizing everything so efficiently and at the last minute. We felt safe, cared for, and completely at ease throughout the day. I truly appreciated how everything on my bucket list was thoughtfully included, especially the traditional Ethiopian breakfast it was delicious and made me feel like a true local. Safe to say, that dish is going to be a must every time I come back to Ethiopia ! 😍 Highly recommend this experience for anyone wanting a genuine taste of Ethiopia with top-tier guidance.

My wife and I had a 15 hour layover in Addis Ababa, and instead of just vegging in the hotel all day, after some rest we took a fantastic tour with Yonas around the city. We visited a market full of textiles where he helped negotiate the price on a beautifully embroidered table cloth, took a tour of the national museum where we got to meet Lucy, and visited a family run restaurant and feasted on fantastic freshly made local food and wine, and participated in a coffee ceremony. Yonas was a friendly and gracious host, who taught us some Amharic words and local customs. Ameseginalehu, Yonas!