Timeline
09:00
Enter the National Palace grounds at opening. The basement collections are best explored in the quiet morning light before the midday rush.
09:45
Walk to The Blue Hen for a coffee or light snack. It is a calm café perfect for resting after the palace visit.
10:00
Stroll through Africa Park. It is a short walk from the café and offers a green space along Menelik II Avenue.
Local tip
The National Palace closes at 17:00, but last entry is at 16:00. Plan to finish your visit well before then. The Blue Hen is open Monday to Saturday until 21:00 and Sunday until 19:00.
Check before you go
- National Palace: Tue–Sun 9:00–17:00, last entry at 16:00. Non-Ethiopians pay US$10 for grounds only or US$25 for grounds and palace with a guided tour. Credit cards accepted in USD.
- The Blue Hen: Mo-Sa 08:00-21:00; Su 08:00-19:00.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Addis Ababa (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).