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Ethiopia’s capital is located at an altitude of 2440m (8000ft) in the central highlands. Places of interest include the university, St George’s Cathedral, the Ethnology Museum, the Menelik Mausoleum, the Trinity Church, the Old Ghibi Palace and the market, one of the largest in Africa.

The ancient royal capital of the earliest Ethiopian kingdom lies in the north of the country. It is renowned for multi-storeyed ancient carved granite obelisks, for important archaeological remains and for the church, which claims to house the Lost Ark of the Covenant.

There are nine national parks in Ethiopia: the Simien Mountain National Park (in the northern mountain massif); the Awash National Park (east of the capital); the Omo and Mago National Parks (southwest of the capital); the Shalla-Abijatta Lakes National Park (south of the capital); the Gambella National Park (Ilubabor region); the Nechi Sar National Park (Gambo region); Yangudi-Rassa National Park (Harerge region); and the Bale Mountains National Park, on high southern moorland country, which has its own unique flora and fauna.

The Blue Nile Falls (also called Tissisat) are one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Northern Africa. They are situated about 35km (22 miles) from Bahar Dar. Gondar was the capital of Ethiopia from 1632 to 1855 and is the site of many ruined castles. Close by is Lake Tana, on which 37 islands stand and is the largest lake in Ethiopia. Lalibela is famous for its 12th-century, rock-hewn churches. Harar is a famous Muslim walled city and the centre for the coffee trade. Dire Dawa, near Harar, is an important trading centre on the Addis Ababa–Djibouti railway line. The Rift Valley Lakes in Ziway, Langano, Awasso, Abiyata, Shalla, Abaya and Chamo offer unique scenery and beautiful beaches. Langano is one of the most popular lakeside resorts.