National Museum of Ethiopia
National Museum of Ethiopia
3.8
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
This museum’s greatest treasure is the partial skeleton of "Lucy," a tiny human believed to have lived over three million years ago.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.8
1,743 reviews
Excellent
452
Very good
679
Average
502
Poor
98
Terrible
12
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Arthur J
4 contributions
Jul 2023
Museum is quite small but Lucy and the exhibit around her was quite informative and a good amount of information. We were travelling with 4 children (11, 9, 6, 1yrs) and the exitbits held their attention during the trip. We travelled with our guide Mulat who was very helpful. We combined our visit here with Mount Entoto which worked very well. Having a guide made everything go much more smoothly. Would certainly recommend Mulat to anyone travelling to Addis - especially with children!
Email mulattafete@gmail.come
WhatsApp +251 944132781
phone call 0944132781
Email mulattafete@gmail.come
WhatsApp +251 944132781
phone call 0944132781
Written July 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sightseer30339138035
Yopougon, Ivory Coast8 contributions
Sep 2024 • Family
Too bad, the museum seems to be giving up! He needs maintenance. Other than that, he's worth a visit. We have the opportunity to see Lucia and other objects and learn about the history of Ethiopia. Nice country! Also we need a better welcome...
Automatically translated
Written September 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
P S
Ontario's Thousand Islands, Canada613 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
It's a very dated museum, looks like 1970s. Inside several of the exhibits are missing, or being slowly replaced and updated. The cooling system in the walls is very interesting.It is sparse, and perhaps lacking funding...but then you get to the basement level, where the remains/skeleton of "Lucy" resides. And it's all worth it. To come that close to the second oldest human skeleton in the entire world. WOW.
Written March 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jeske casper
Rotterdam, The Netherlands1 contribution
Dec 2022
we did city tour last week with Mickety and we saw merakatao ,entoto,and cathedral selassie churches all are nice but Lucy is special mTick one off my bucket list! I've seen Lucy! The 3.2 million year old remains of one of our oldest ancestors. Ok, it's probably a replica of the bones, but seeing it here in Ethiopia was a dream come true. There are many more fossils and remains on the basement floor level of this 4 story museum. Each floor is themed and there are some really good exhibits in this 1960s purpose built structure. There are also some lovely exhibits in the grounds. Well worth a visit. Say hi to Lucy! if you take mickey service you will have good memory 0918099039 ,for all sites he charge 60USD per person incldues guide,entrance fee and transportation.
Written December 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abc
4 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
You cannot visit Ethiopia without seeing Lucy, the oldest discovered humanoid and the mother of all of us. The museum has an easy to follow overview of the complicated and ancient history of Ethiopia. This is a good start on the rest of your adventures.
Written March 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cassandra Tesch
Berkeley, CA151 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
We enjoyed our trip to this museum, where we got to not only see the famous Lucy, but we also got a glimpse into both the ancient and modern history of Ethiopia. There was a great selection of modern art, as well as ancient artifacts. It was 50 birr to enter. On the grounds of the museum, there are other artifacts as well as a giant tortoise. We also discovered that there is a hidden café behind one of the buildings all the way in the back where you can get traditional coffee and water.
Written December 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reza Sattarzadeh
Muscat, Oman2,524 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
The building belongs to the 1960s and not much renovation has been done. The entire place is on three floors, each focusing on one part of the Ethiopian culture and history. It's just OK to get a glimpse at the life in different parts of Ethiopia and the major events that has happened throughout the history.
One thing the management should note is that not all the items on display have descriptions is English. This makes the experience not very pleasant. Also, some improvement to the display areas and the Chambers will make the place more attractive.
One thing the management should note is that not all the items on display have descriptions is English. This makes the experience not very pleasant. Also, some improvement to the display areas and the Chambers will make the place more attractive.
Written December 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Val E
Bromsgrove, UK25 contributions
Feb 2024 • Business
Not any of the above - with a charity. so I clicked @business' as there was no other choice. Really interesting archaeology and artefacts but many things not labelled at all eg the throne has several signs saying 'do not touch ' but nothing else. Who's throne was it? How old is it? The entrance price is cheap which is good but non Ethiopian visitor could afford to pay more and contribute towards some labelling.
Written March 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fay W
Mwanza, Tanzania73 contributions
May 2023
I went here as I really wanted to see the ones of Lucy and her exhibit has obviously has funding more recently put into it. The information was very detailed and informative. Other exhibits look like they have seen better days but it was great to see all of the different art works depicting the area's history. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Written July 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark S
London, UK87 contributions
Mar 2023
The skeleton of Lucy and the accompanying information on this and other finds are what makes this museum. It is, to me at least, by far the most interesting aspect of the place while the rest, though interesting, do not take up much time to see. Worth a visit when you are pressed for time.
Written March 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What doesn’t it mean region Ethiopia? I didn’t get your question
Written August 9, 2023
Is there any way to see the Lucy fossil in person, not just the replica on display?
Written February 3, 2018
I was told by my guide that it was a replica..... the real Lucy is in a much safer place.....
Written February 15, 2018
Is there a cloakroom where we can leave large bags whilst we visit the museum?
Written November 11, 2017
No but if you Ask they might be able to store it somewhere for you but personally with all the security checks getting in I’d say your better leaving it at your hotel
Written November 11, 2017
Yes, the National Museum is open all days of the week including public holidays!
Written April 17, 2017

Adrian P
London, United Kingdom
414 contributions
Are visitors allowed to take photos? If not is there a permit system/how much is it?
Thanks
Written April 9, 2017
Hi, no problem. Free to take pictures
Written May 24, 2017
How much time normally we spend at this museum?
Written January 2, 2017
Depends on. If you are very interested in Ethiopia History and Archaeology, you spend about 2 hour once you will read every explanation about each item. But if you just want see and go, you'll spend about 30 or 40 minutes.
Where I spent more time was at Archaeology area, because I read every text. Anyway, is a place worthy to see, once there is Lucy, the oldest complete human skeleton
Written January 3, 2017
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