Things to Do & Places to Stay in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa has more going on than most people realize, whether they're first-time visitors or longtime residents, plus a growing scene of guest houses for when you need a place to stay. Here's what's bookable across the city, and how Go Addis helps you find it.

Sport

Tennis, padel, squash and football courts are scattered across Addis, with pockets of activity in areas like Bole and Kirkos. Peak evening and weekend hours fill up fast, so being able to actually reserve a court, rather than calling a phone number and hoping someone answers, makes a real difference.

Horse Riding

Horse riding is one of Addis Ababa's more distinctive activities, with a handful of dedicated stables offering lessons and guided rides for beginners and experienced riders alike.

Spa

From a quick massage to a full facial and body treatment, Addis has a growing spa scene across neighborhoods like Bole and Yeka. It's also one of the most common things the Ethiopian diaspora books for family back home. See our guide to booking from abroad.

Swimming

Pools across the city range from hotel-affiliated venues to standalone swimming clubs, with both lap swimming and casual sessions available depending on the venue.

Classes

Fitness classes, dance, yoga and similar recurring sessions run on a fixed weekly schedule at studios around Addis. You pick the upcoming session that fits your week rather than a generic drop-in time.

Events

Beyond recurring activities, Addis also hosts one-off events: pop-ups, tastings, and experiences that come and go. These are ticketed by participant count rather than a time slot.

Guest Houses

Beyond activities, Addis has a growing number of guest houses offering a more personal alternative to a hotel, with room types and nightly rates that vary by property. Go Addis shows a live calendar for each one, so you can lock in check-in and check-out dates before you arrive, whether you're visiting for a week or moving through the city on a longer trip. It's also one of the most common things the Ethiopian diaspora books ahead of a visit home. See our guide to booking from abroad.

Which neighborhood should I look in?

Go Addis covers activities and guest houses across Addis Ababa's sub-cities: Bole, Kirkos, Yeka, Arada, Gulele, Lideta, Nifas Silk-Lafto, Addis Ketema, Akaky Kaliti, Kolfe Keranio and Lemi Kura. The app sorts everything by distance from wherever you are, so you don't need to already know which neighborhood has what.