Itegue Taitu Hotel

Top choice in Addis Ababa

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Appear in the dream of an empress! Built at the whim of Empress Taitu in 1907, and nearly burned down in 2015 (most of the rooms survived), this is the oldest hotel in Addis: the main building is virtually a museum piece full of beautiful old furniture and high ceilings. The rooms upstairs in the main building are large and easily the best.

The newer block contains a wide range of rooms, including some passable doubles. There are plenty of facilities, a lovely garden in which breakfast is served and an excellent restaurant. All up it offers a cash-strapped overlander a classy experience for very little coin.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Ethnological Museum

    Ethnological Museum

    1.13 MILES

    Set within Haile Selassie’s former palace, and surrounded by the beautiful gardens and fountains of the university’s main campus, is the enthralling…

  • National Museum of Ethiopia.

    National Museum

    0.76 MILES

    The collection on show at the National Museum is ranked among the most important in sub-Saharan Africa, but sadly many of its exhibits are poorly labelled…

  • Coffins filled with possessions of victims of Derg, Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum.

    'Red Terror' Martyrs Memorial Museum

    1.5 MILES

    ‘As if I bore them all in one night, they slew them in a single night.’ These were the words spoken by the mother of four teenage children all killed on…

  • Saint George Church

    St George Cathedral & Museum

    0.47 MILES

    Commissioned by Emperor Menelik II to commemorate his stunning 1896 defeat of the Italians in Adwa, and dedicated to St George (Ethiopia’s patron saint),…

  • Holy Trinity Cathedral, Arat Kilo.

    Holy Trinity Cathedral

    0.83 MILES

    This massive and ornate cathedral is the second-most important place of worship in Ethiopia (ranking behind the Old Church of St Mary of Zion in Aksum)…

  • Washa Mikael Church

    Washa Mikael Church

    3.58 MILES

    The Washa Mikael Church is a few kilometres east of Addis Ababa's town centre. Though local priests date it back to the 3rd century AD, it most probably…

  • Shoppers in Merkato (market).

    Merkato

    1.1 MILES

    Wading into the market chaos known as Merkato, just west of Addis' centre, can be as rewarding as it is exasperating. You may find the most eloquent aroma…

  • Lion of Judah Monument

    Lion of Judah Monument

    1.36 MILES

    Long the symbol of Ethiopia’s monarchy, the Lion of Judah is ubiquitous throughout the country – and although images of the almighty animal abound in…

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Nearby Addis Ababa attractions

1. St George Cathedral & Museum

0.47 MILES

Commissioned by Emperor Menelik II to commemorate his stunning 1896 defeat of the Italians in Adwa, and dedicated to St George (Ethiopia’s patron saint),…

2. Derg Monument

0.74 MILES

The towering Derg Monument is one of the more poignant reminders of the country’s painful communist rule. Topped by a massive red star and emblazoned with…

3. National Museum

0.76 MILES

The collection on show at the National Museum is ranked among the most important in sub-Saharan Africa, but sadly many of its exhibits are poorly labelled…

4. Natural History Museum

0.79 MILES

Unless you've a particular interest in Ethiopia's animals and birdlife, this is more a case of rainy day tourism. Go eye to eye with a bloated leopard –…

5. Bete Maryam Mausoleum

0.82 MILES

The Bete Maryam Mausoleum is located just south of Menelik’s palace and offers what could be an enchantingly eerie experience for travellers (were it not…

6. Holy Trinity Cathedral

0.83 MILES

This massive and ornate cathedral is the second-most important place of worship in Ethiopia (ranking behind the Old Church of St Mary of Zion in Aksum)…

7. Tomb of Sylvia Pankhurst

0.83 MILES

Facing the entrance to the Holy Trinity Cathedral is the tomb of the famous British suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst. Pankhurst was one of the very few people…