National Museum of Ethiopia

The National Museum of Ethiopia is at Amist Kilo, near the graduate school of Addis Ababa University. It is the main museum of the country.

What to see

The museum has four floors. The basement shows fossils of early humans. Lucy is here. She is a partial skeleton of Australopithecus afarensis. Selam, a child of the same species, is about 3.3 million years old.

The first floor shows objects from ancient and medieval Ethiopia. It also shows the regalia of past rulers, among them Emperor Haile Selassie. The second floor shows art in order of date, from traditional painting to modern work. African Heritage by Afewerk Tekle hangs here. The third floor shows the cultures of the peoples of Ethiopia.

Opening hours

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00. It is closed on Monday.

Getting there

The museum is on the road between Arat Kilo and Sidist Kilo. The Lion Zoo and the Ethnological Museum are a short ride north.

Good to know

Allow one and a half hours. Start in the basement. The garden has statues and tortoises, so children can rest there. The car park and the toilets have wheelchair access. Call +251 11 156 9680 to ask about guides.