Ethiopia is a land of layers—ancient and modern, sacred and social—stitched together by coffee and hospitality. From the high-altitude hum of Addis Ababa to the hushed devotion of Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches, a week here feels like a fast-forward through millennia of history, faith, and flavor.

You’ll trace the country’s story at world-class museums, sip single-origin roasts where coffee culture began, and wander Merkato—one of Africa’s largest markets—before escaping to the highlands. In Lalibela, tunnel through living rock to 12th–13th-century churches that still pulse with prayer and incense.

Practical notes: Addis sits at ~2,355 m/7,726 ft—pace yourself the first day and hydrate. Cash (Ethiopian birr) is common; cards are accepted at larger hotels. Dress modestly for churches (shoulders/knees covered), and check current travel advisories before rural excursions. Vegetarians eat happily here, especially on fasting days (Wednesdays/Fridays).

Addis Ababa

Sprawling and sociable, Addis is Ethiopia’s gateway and heartbeat. It’s a city of big museums and bigger conversations—where you can meet “Lucy,” bargain for spices in Merkato, then end the night with live music and a honey-wine toast.

• Top sights: National Museum (home of “Lucy”), Ethnographic Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, St. George’s Cathedral, Mount Entoto viewpoints, Merkato.
• Eat & drink: Kategna for fluffy injera and buttery tibs; Yod Abyssinia or 2000 Habesha for dinner with live traditional dance; Tomoca for old-school espresso; Sishu for burgers and craft vibes; Lucy Restaurant for a museum-side lunch.
• Good to know: Traffic is busy—plan buffer time. The air is dry at altitude; coffee helps, but water helps more.

Where to stay: Browse stays near Bole (airport/restaurant scene), Kazanchis (easy museum access), or Piassa (old-town charm): Find Addis Ababa vacation rentals on VRBO or search Addis Ababa hotels on Hotels.com.

How to get to Addis: Fly into ADD (Bole International). Compare fares and connections on Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights (typical one-stop from the U.S./Asia; many direct options from Africa and the Middle East). If departing from Europe, you can also compare on Omio Flights.

Day 1: Arrive in Addis Ababa, Coffee Rituals, and a Taste of Nightlife

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Arrive at Bole International and check in. Shake off jet lag with a historic espresso at Tomoca (Piassa branch is the classic)—try a Yirgacheffe or Sidamo roast and watch baristas pull short, syrupy shots the old-fashioned way.

Evening: Dinner-and-dance at Yod Abyssinia or 2000 Habesha. Share platters of injera topped with tibs (sizzling beef), shiro (spiced chickpea stew), and gomen (braised greens) while musicians and dancers trace Ethiopia’s diverse regions in costume and rhythm. If you prefer low-key, book a table at Kategna (excellent fasting platters) and end with a nightcap at Beer Garden Inn in Bole.

Day 2: Addis Ababa’s Essential Sights (Guided)

Make the most of your first full day with a guided overview that hits the city’s greatest hits, navigates traffic, and adds context to every stop.

Full Day Tour of Addis Ababa with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off — National Museum (see “Lucy”), Ethnographic Museum (Haile Selassie’s former palace), Merkato, St. George’s Cathedral, and sweeping views from Mount Entoto. Expect cultural insights and ample photo stops.

For lunch, many guides detour to Lucy Restaurant beside the National Museum—go for tibs or grilled tilapia. After the tour, unwind with gelato on bench-lined Meskel Square or sample single-origin pour-overs at Garden of Coffee.

Dinner ideas: Sishu for burgers, craft vibes, and house-baked buns; or Gusto for wood-fired pizza if you’re craving Italian (a legacy cuisine in Ethiopia’s capital).

Day 3: Highlands Day Trip — Debre Libanos, Jemma River Gorge, Gelada Baboons

Trade city streets for cliffs and monasteries on a classic north-of-Addis escape. This is a full day on scenic roads with wildlife and big views.

Debre Libanos Monastery and Jemma River Gorge - Day Tour from Addis Ababa — Visit Ethiopia’s largest monastery, walk the old Portuguese Bridge, and scan the cliffs for shaggy-maned gelada baboons. Count on roughly 9 hours with hotel pickup.

Back in Addis, toast the day with honey wine (tej) at a local tej bet or settle into 2000 Habesha for another round of music and a sampler of regional dishes. If you’re craving something light, try Kategna’s tomato-fresh fasting beyaynetu.

Getting to Lalibela (Day 4 morning): Fly from Addis (ADD) to Lalibela (LLI). Typical flight time is ~1 hr 5 min; fares often range ~$90–$160 one-way. Compare schedules and prices on Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights. Morning departures fit this itinerary best.

Lalibela

High in the Lasta Mountains, Lalibela is more than a UNESCO site—it’s a living pilgrimage center where priests chant in Ge’ez and worshippers thread through cool stone passageways worn by centuries of bare feet.

• Top sights: The 11 rock-hewn churches in two main clusters plus iconic Bet Giyorgis (St. George), atmospheric tunnels and trenches, and the pre-Lalibela masterpiece at Yemrehanna Kristos.
• Eat & drink: Ben Abeba for sweeping sunset views and modern Ethiopian fare; Seven Olives for classics in a historic garden; local tej (honey wine) at small family-run houses near the market.
• Insider tip: Bring socks for church interiors (you’ll remove shoes), a scarf for modesty, and a small flashlight for tunnels.

Where to stay: Choose a guesthouse or view-forward lodge near the church clusters for easy walks and sunrise glow: See Lalibela rentals on VRBO or browse Lalibela hotels on Hotels.com.

Day 4: Fly to Lalibela, Settle In, and Sunset Over the Highlands

Morning: Short flight Addis → Lalibela (~1 hr). Check in and have a light lunch at Seven Olives—order shiro or lentil soup to acclimate.

Afternoon: Stroll the lanes toward the church precinct to get your bearings. Pop into a small café for a bunna (coffee) served with frankincense—your first taste of Lalibela’s slower rhythm.

Evening: Time dinner for sunset at Ben Abeba, perched like a sculpture on a ridge. Their injera-based plates come with creative sides; the viewpoints over the highlands glow pink at dusk.

Day 5: Lalibela’s Rock-Hewn Churches (Guided)

Dedicate a full day to the churches—this is why you came. A local guide brings history and symbolism to life and helps you navigate tunnels and timing.

Rock Churches of Lalibela Guided Tour — Explore the northern and southern clusters plus photogenic Bet Giyorgis. Learn how King Lalibela’s 12th–13th-century vision carved living rock into places of worship that have never ceased to be used.

Post-tour eats: Celebrate with a glass of local tej and a platter of tibs at Seven Olives, or try vegetable medleys (fasting dishes) at a family-run spot near the market.

Day 6: Yemrehanna Kristos Cave Church, Highland Hike, and Coffee Ceremony

Morning: Drive ~45 minutes on a scenic dirt road to Yemrehanna Kristos, a pre-Lalibela cave church built with alternating wood and stone layers inside a vast cavern. The approach, via a cool juniper forest, feels timeless.

Afternoon: Optional hike on the Hudad ridge for big views and village life. Arrange a local guide; you can also hire a mule if you prefer an easier ascent. Picnic with fresh bread, fruit, and local cheese.

Evening: Join a traditional coffee ceremony at your guesthouse—green beans roasted over coals, hand-ground, and brewed in a jebena clay pot. For dinner, return to Ben Abeba or try a simple, superb shiro at a neighborhood eatery.

Day 7: Fly Back to Addis, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Fly Lalibela → Addis (~1 hr). Store luggage with your hotel or at the airport.

Afternoon: Brunch at Kategna (try firfir—spiced, sautéed injera) and pick up gifts at Shiro Meda for handwoven gabi (cotton shawls). Coffee finale at Tomoca before your afternoon departure.

Evening: Departure. If you have a late flight, consider a quick food-focused stroll:

Addis Ababa Food Tasting Tour — Taste your way through injera variations, kitfo (spiced minced beef; ask for lebleb—lightly cooked—if you prefer), and regional spices, all with local guidance.

Alternative/Additional Addis Activity (if you extend or swap Day 2)

If you prefer a shorter city overview paired with a sunset on Entoto, consider:

Addis Ababa: Debre Libanos, Blue Nile Gorge, and Cave Tour — Another excellent highland route with sweeping canyon views and monastery heritage.

Local tips: Sundays and feast days are especially atmospheric in Lalibela—ask your guide about service times. In Addis, market mornings are lively but go with a guide for navigation ease. Always ask permission before photographing people, especially around churches.

Transport recap and costs:

• International flights to Addis: Compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com; Europe departures can also check Omio. One-stop itineraries are common; prices vary widely by season.
• Domestic Addis ↔ Lalibela flights: ~1 hr 5 min; often ~$90–$160 one-way. Search on Kiwi.com or Trip.com. Morning departures best fit this 7-day plan.

Bookable experiences featured in this itinerary:

• Full Day Tour of Addis Ababa with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off
• Debre Libanos Monastery and Jemma River Gorge - Day Tour
• Rock Churches of Lalibela Guided Tour
• Addis Ababa Food Tasting Tour

Where to stay (quick links): Addis Ababa — VRBO | Hotels.com • Lalibela — VRBO | Hotels.com

Final thought: In just seven days, you’ll sip Addis espresso, breathe highland air over the Jemma Gorge, and stand in the sunken courtyards of Lalibela, fingers on warm rock carved 800 years ago. Ethiopia rewards curiosity—come hungry for stories, flavors, and the quiet echo of ancient chants.