Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour worth booking?
Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour is a 5-hour experience in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from $70 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (3)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $70 per person
Shopping At Merkato Merkato is the largest open air market in Africa and The primary merchandise passing through the Merkato is locally-grown agricultural products — most notably coffee. We will take you to differnt places or station for different tools and objects … spicy , soveniours ,coffee Shopping At Piazza Piazza is an important shopping area in Addis Ababa. There are many small shops and street stalls there. It is a favorite place for shopping among women as there are many jewelry shops. Sumeta Souvenir Gallery This is one of the best collection gallery for tourists that will find Collectible silver spoons, Ethiopian crosses, coins, jewelries, traditional paintings on parchment, mugs, traditional clothes, traditional musical instruments, colorful Ethiopian scarf, pottery, t-shirts Shopping At Addis Ababa Stadium There is a shopping at the stadium area in Addis Ababa. It is generally known for its genuine, Ethiopian leather goods, like clothes and bags.
What you get
About this experience
Shopping At Merkato Merkato is the largest open air market in Africa and The primary merchandise passing through the Merkato is locally-grown agricultural products — most notably coffee. We will take you to differnt places or station for different tools and objects … spicy , soveniours ,coffee Shopping At Piazza Piazza is an important shopping area in Addis Ababa. There are many small shops and street stalls there. It is a favorite place for shopping among women as there are many jewelry shops. Sumeta Souvenir Gallery This is one of the best collection gallery for tourists that will find Collectible silver spoons, Ethiopian crosses, coins, jewelries, traditional paintings on parchment, mugs, traditional clothes, traditional musical instruments, colorful Ethiopian scarf, pottery, t-shirts Shopping At Addis Ababa Stadium There is a shopping at the stadium area in Addis Ababa. It is generally known for its genuine, Ethiopian leather goods, like clothes and bags.
What's included
Included
- Local guide
- Round-trip private transfer
Not included
- Drinks
- Food and drinks
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Dinner
What you'll see and do
Mercato Market
Merkato is the largest open air market in Africa which is covering several square miles and employing an estimated 13,000 people in 7,100 business entities and The primary merchandise passing through the Merkato is locally-grown agricultural products — most notably coffee. We will take you to differnt places or station for different tools and objects … spicy , soveniours ,coffee
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Aman Ethiopia Tours And Travel Agent
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
- Dress code is formal
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Shop like a Diva, experience Addis Ababa like a Boss!
This was my second tour with the same company, and I do not regret booking it. Walking through the streets to the market or to different museums gives you so much opportunity to absorb the rhythm of the city. What a fabulous way to absorb the local culture do some amazing shopping at a very affordable price. Shasha, the guide met me at the hotel, and soon we navigated through small streets, and busy bigger ones, to check out some of the more famous monuments and museums. Shasha's command of English is very good, he is polite and humble, proudly Ethiopian and very knowledgeable about the history and the people from Ethiopia. Boy-o-boy there were many local businessmen having a quick coffee and croissant at the little Tomoka coffee shop at the old La Gare train station. Naturally, I made sure that I walked away with a good coffee supply and some coffee sweets. I was told it is the best Ethiopian coffee! While at the train station, I made use of the public bathrooms, which was spotlessly clean. At the train station itself or a couple of the old locomotives and train carts. We did not enter the train carts but you can see them from from up close. The original signposts written in French and Amharic are still up. La Gare train station it's not in use anymore because they have upgraded the Ethiopian rail system. During our walking trip I wanted to use different forms of travel in the city, so we took a public bus and rode it for about three stops to the National museum. The tickets can be bought directly from the driver who doubles as the conductor the seatings are clean and comfortable. They sort of wait for the bus to fill up before they take off there's no set schedule so just enter the bus that looks the most full. I do think the bus system is the cheapest form of travel as this only cost us three bir (local money unit). In addition I also made use of a 1986 old Russian LADA car, painted bright blue which is a taxi Service that the locals refer to as a ‘donkey’. You often see somebody huddled over the engine was just a screwdriver in his hand fixing or tweaking something in this kind of car. The parliament was in-sitting and the deputy president was making a speech and everybody around me in all the taxis and in the little shops were listening to his speech on their radios. Cheering and laughing out loud at some of his statements. Addis Ababa is full of old Volkswagen beetles which is a joy to see driving about. We did not have the opportunity to ride the new air train. The air train is a recent addition to the city at peak times it is very congested so much so that your face can be squished to the window. Ethiopian food is unique and nothing in the world can compare to the smell and taste of the different spices. Yes there are many vegetarian dishes as well as meat dishes. Do not be surprised when you are offered raw meat such as beef including the fat. Raw meat is eaten very often in most of the restaurants and considered a local delicacy that is, sliced into thin slivers with a very sharp knife, then dipped into a variety of spicy hot sauces and then eaten. We stopped at a local restaurant called Yonas Chercher in Kazachis close to the Hilton. district. Cold draft beer was on offer as well as Saint Georges beer. A selection of water, sodas and fruit juice was offered on the menu. We ordered injera (something similar to spongy fermented thick pancakes). The injera-roll is broken in small pieces and then you enclose the the meat with your fingers, dip it in a hot sauce (optional) and put it in your mouth. Most Ethiopian dishes are shared by various people around the same table from one bowl, pot or basket. It is common to see couples feeding each other by hand as it's a form of endearment and friends hand feed each other as well. There was a very lovely local soccer game screened on a TV in the restaurant. Most Ethiopians are passionate about soccer and running. The National Museum that displays a replica of the famous ‘Lucy’ had some interesting displays. If you are not with a guide, you would not see the relevance of many items as the descriptions in English are a bit sparse. The Museum as a whole needs to be refurbished, as the new Museums that were recently added are so much better. I can't wait to get back to Ethiopia to experience more as two tours in Addis are just not enough. Ethiopian people are proud and humble and they wish for a better future.
Response from the operator: We would like to thank you for your wonderful reviews about our tour services and taking your precious time for this great recommendations for other clients regarding your overall experience in Ethiopia. It is always wonderful to read that we were able to meet your expectations and our teams tour guide & drivers is always dedicated to providing you a best services. We look forward to show the other parts of our country
via Tripadvisor
Great Tour
We did this (namely the Merkato) as part of a broader Addis City Tour. I would say that's the best way to go. In the Merkato for example you'll likely only spend about 2 hours (maybe a bit more), unless you get caught up in playing TischFußball with some of the boys there or chili pepper eating challenges with Brooks (which he won't do well at). All in all you should definitely do some aspect of this!
Response from the operator: Dear Guest We would like to thank you for your wonderful reviews about our tour services and taking your precious time for this great recommendations for other clients regarding your overall experience in Ethiopia. It is always wonderful to read that we were able to meet your expectations and our teams tour guide & drivers is always dedicated to providing you a best services. We look forward to show the other parts of our country.
via Tripadvisor
Addis Ababa Shopping Tour with Aman
I had the pleasure of touring and shopping with the guidance and assistance of Mr. Aman Assefa during my recent trip to Ethiopia. Aman took me to different venues where I was able to purchase souvenirs and gifts that consisted of local crafts. These were handmade items at very reasonable prices. Aman encouraged me to simply pay what I wanted and walk away if my price was not being met. He also gave me some guidance on what items should cost, and I felt assured that I was paying a fair price and not under-paying the talented artisans I encountered. We shopped on the streets where Aman accompanied me as I wound through a maze of tiny store fronts. In addition, Aman took me to a fine coffee store where I purchased a bag of the incredible local coffee to bring home. This was quite the experience and a highlight of my trip to Ethiopia. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who would like to tour and shop with a knowledgeable and helpful guide.
Response from the operator: Dear Guest We would like to thank you for your wonderful reviews about our tour services and taking your precious time for this great recommendations for other clients regarding your overall experience in Ethiopia. It is always wonderful to read that we were able to meet your expectations and our teams tour guide & drivers is always dedicated to providing you a best services. We look forward to show the other parts of our country.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Aman Ethiopia Tours And Travel Agent, who run 16 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 68.6 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Aman Ethiopia Tours And Travel Agent runsWhy this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Addis Ababa.
How much does Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour cost?
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Prices start at $70 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Addis Ababa usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Addis Ababa is not rushed.
Is Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Addis Ababa, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Addis Ababa can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Addis Ababa and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Addis Ababa within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Addis Ababa?
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On Outty we rank every Addis Ababa experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour, Addis Ababa Guided City Tour With Airport & Hotel Pick Up, Full Day Tour of Addis Ababa with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Addis Ababa?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour?
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Included: Local guide; and Round-trip private transfer. Not included: Drinks; Food and drinks; Lunch; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 2 listed pickup locations in and around Addis Ababa. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Addis Ababa. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour?
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Across 3 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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