Yes, for most visitors, as long as you take the same care you would in any big city and follow current official advice. None of the main Western governments tells people to avoid Addis Ababa itself, and the US says the security situation in the capital is stable. But street crime is rising, protests and internet cuts can happen with little warning, and the wider country is going through a serious conflict. Here is what the advice actually says, checked on 28 September 2026, and what it means in practice.

What do official travel advisories say about Addis Ababa?

• United States: Ethiopia is at Level 3, Reconsider Travel (issued 27 August 2026), because of unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, communications disruptions and exit bans. It says the security situation in Addis Ababa is stable.
• Canada: advises avoiding non-essential travel to Ethiopia overall but rates Addis Ababa separately as 'exercise a high degree of caution', citing crime and possible violent demonstrations (updated 24 September 2026).
• United Kingdom: the FCDO (updated 25 September 2026) does not advise against travel to Addis Ababa. It advises against all travel to Tigray, Amhara and Gambela and to parts of Oromia, Afar, Somali and Benishangul-Gumuz, and against all but essential travel to other areas.
• Australia: Smartraveller says to reconsider your need to travel to Ethiopia overall, and warns that unprovoked violent assaults can happen in popular tourist areas.

So the capital is not a no-go zone, but no government calls Ethiopia a relaxed destination right now. Read your own government's latest advice before you fly, and check that your travel insurance covers your trip under it. Advice can change within days.

What are the real risks for visitors in Addis?

Petty theft and muggings

This is the risk you are most likely to meet. The UK FCDO says mugging is on the rise and reports more crime against foreigners in Bole Medhanealem, Bole Atlas, Meskel Square, Yeka Hills and Entoto, including knifepoint robberies. The US names Bole Road, Piassa and Merkato as places where thieves are active, and reports violent robberies of hikers in Entoto Park, Yeka Park and the Gullele Botanical Gardens.

The FCDO also warns of pickpockets and bag-snatchers around Bole airport, and of groups, often including children and young people, who use distractions such as begging, spitting or spilling food and drink while someone takes your phone or wallet. Snatches from open car windows at traffic lights happen too, so keep windows closed and phones out of sight.

After dark

Canada says to avoid walking after dark, Australia says to avoid walking at night, and the US advises against walking or driving at night. In practice, take a car door to door in the evening, even for a short hop between a restaurant and your hotel.

Protests, unrest and internet cuts

Demonstrations can start with little or no notice, and official advice consistently says to stay away from crowds and gatherings. The US says internet, mobile data and phone services are often restricted or shut down around unrest. Keep offline maps, printed bookings and a way to reach your hotel or driver by ordinary voice call or SMS.

Security checks

The FCDO says police may run road checkpoints and door-to-door checks in Addis, and that people of Amhara, Tigrayan or Oromo ethnicity may face more scrutiny, including at Bole airport. It advises carrying a paper copy of your passport photo page, visa and entry stamp, staying calm and following instructions. There have also been checkpoints and road closures around big holidays such as Meskel.

Terrorism

The UK says terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Ethiopia, and lists places such as hotels, restaurants, markets, places of worship and festivals as possible targets. Canada gives a similar list. Stay alert in crowded places, especially on major religious and national holidays, and follow local instructions.

Other things to know

The FCDO reports incidents of sexual harassment of women. It also says same-sex acts are illegal and that it is dangerous to be openly LGBT+ in Ethiopia. Australia warns about drink spiking and methanol in drinks, and recommends branded, sealed drinks and never leaving food or drinks unattended.

How do you stay safe in Addis Ababa?

1. Use cars at night. Book a ride app, a hotel car or a driver you know rather than hailing on the street. Canada says never to hail a taxi on the street, and the UK suggests yellow or app-based taxis over the blue-and-white ones.
2. Keep your phone out of sight. Step into a shop or café to check a map. Keep car windows up in slow traffic.
3. Carry less. Leave spare cards and valuables in the hotel safe. Carry a copy of your passport and only the cash you need that day.
4. Visit hilltop parks with company, in daylight. Entoto and Yeka are named in both UK and US crime warnings, so don't walk quiet stretches alone.
5. Avoid crowds and protests. If a gathering forms, leave the area. Large crowds are common on key national and religious dates.
6. Register and stay informed. Sign up for your embassy's alerts and check the news each day.

Is it safe to leave Addis Ababa?

That depends entirely on where. The UK advises against all travel to Amhara, which includes Lalibela, Bahir Dar, Gondar and the Simien Mountains, as well as Tigray and Gambela. The US says do not travel to Amhara, Tigray, Gambella, Benishangul-Gumuz, parts of Afar and most of Oromia except Bishoftu and Bale Mountains National Park.

The UK exempts the Addis–Adama expressway, a corridor 10 km either side of the expressway between Addis and Bishoftu, and the A7 from the expressway south to Hawassa. US advice for Oromia is stricter, so those roads are not free of US warnings. The FCDO also reports fuel shortages that can disrupt travel outside Addis. Read our guides to road safety and day trips before you plan anything.

Who do you call in an emergency?

The US, Canadian and Australian governments list 991 for police. For an ambulance in Addis Ababa, both the UK and US list 907. The UK notes that emergency calls are likely to be answered in Amharic, so save your hotel's number and your embassy's emergency number too, and keep a paper copy in case your phone is lost.