Reconsider Travel
“There was no change to the advisory level or risk indicators. Areas of increased risk were modified to reflect current travel restrictions for U.S.”
Updated Thu, 27 Aug 2026
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Is Addis Ababa safe? 🇪🇹
Ethiopia · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Addis Ababa scores 43/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: caution advised. Reconsider travel to Addis Ababa due to significant security concerns and official advisories. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 3 (Reconsider Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Addis Ababa 🇪🇹
Ethiopia · Assessed 10 September 2026
43
/ 100
Caution advised
Safer than ~30% of countries
Score capped at 44 — Level 3 advisory — reconsider travel. No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime54/100CautionCrime index 50.3 / 100
Sentiment63/100FairCautiously Optimistic
Advisories25Elevated
Stability41Caution
Health67Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Areas where FCDO advises against travel Border areas FCDO advises against all travel to within: 20km of the border with Sudan 10km of the border with South Sudan 100km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia and Kenya in Ethiopia’s Somali region, and within 30km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia in Fafan zone, except the border town and crossing at Wajale, and the principal road between Jijiga and Wajale 10km of the border with Kenya, except for principal roads and towns 10km of the border with Eritrea FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: areas between 10-15km from the border with Eritrea Tigray region FCDO advises against all travel to Tigray region. Amhara region FCDO advises against all travel to Amhara region.”
Updated 2026-05-29T10:35:25Z
Full advisory →Avoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Ethiopia: avoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-09-09T10:13:48.140000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
62
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
55 / 100 (Cautiously Optimistic)
55
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
3.9M residents
52
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
8.5 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Ethiopia8.5Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
50
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWhile violent crime is reportedly low in Addis Ababa, muggings can occur, particularly in less populated areas or at night.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is a notable risk, especially in crowded markets and tourist areas.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Caution
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Cautiously Optimistic
63/100
Reported feel55Cautiously Optimistic
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Some travelers report feeling safe and comfortable in Addis Ababa, even at night, noting friendly locals and a generally secure environment compared to other African cities. However, this sentiment is tempered by awareness of pickpocketing risks and the broader country-wide advisories.
Reconsider travel to Addis Ababa due to significant security concerns and official advisories.
While Addis Ababa is considered one of Africa's safer major cities with a relatively stable security situation compared to other parts of Ethiopia, official government advisories from the US, UK, and Canada all recommend reconsidering or avoiding non-essential travel. Petty crime and tourist scams are present, and visitors should be aware of the broader regional instability.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026U.S. Embassy issued a travel advisory for Ethiopia, updating risk areas to reflect current travel restrictions.— U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia
- Jun 2026Ethiopia held parliamentary elections amid security concerns and regional unrest.— Anadolu Ajansı
- May 2026Ethiopia and Eritrea were reported to be on the brink of war again.— atlanticcouncil.org
- Apr 2026U.S. State Department issued a 'Do Not Travel' warning for five regions of Ethiopia due to heightened security risks.— Addis Standard
Common scams
- Tourist scams targeting visitors, often involving inflated prices or fake goods.
- Pickpocketing in crowded areas like markets.
Full briefing
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, presents a complex safety landscape for travelers. Official government advisories from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada all recommend reconsidering travel or avoiding non-essential trips, citing significant security concerns and regional instability. While the city itself is often described as one of Africa's safer capitals with a relatively stable security situation compared to other parts of Ethiopia, these overarching advisories cannot be ignored.
The primary risks for visitors in Addis Ababa are petty crime and tourist scams. Pickpocketing is a notable concern, particularly in crowded areas such as the Mercato, and travelers should be vigilant about their belongings. Scams targeting tourists are also reported, so it is advisable to be wary of unsolicited offers or overly friendly strangers. While violent crime rates are reportedly low, moderate risk of robbery exists, especially in less populated areas or after dark.
Recent reports indicate ongoing political tensions and regional unrest, with advisories highlighting specific areas to avoid due to heightened security risks. For instance, the UK's FCDO advises against all travel to border regions and specific zones within the Somali region, as well as the Tigray and Amhara regions. While these advisories often cover broader national issues, they underscore the volatile environment. Travelers should stay informed about the current local security situation through reliable news sources and their accommodation providers.
To mitigate risks, travelers should heed all official government warnings and avoid any areas specifically designated as high-risk. It is crucial to exercise vigilance against petty theft, particularly in crowded markets and tourist spots, and to avoid displaying valuables. Arranging transportation through reputable hotels or services is recommended to ensure safety and avoid potential scams. While many visitors report positive experiences and feel safe walking around, awareness of the broader security context and adherence to safety precautions are essential for a secure trip.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Addis Ababa districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Addis Ababa safety map.
MerkatoavoidAfrica's largest open-air market; high risk of pickpocketing and theft; avoid carrying valuables and consider guided visits only.
SarbetavoidDensely populated area with sporadic reports of robbery and mugging; limited police presence; avoid at night and exercise caution by day.
BolecautionUpscale area with embassies and hotels; petty theft and pickpocketing reported, especially in crowded zones and after dark.
PiassacautionHistoric commercial center with Italian architecture; generally safe by day but pickpocketing risk in crowds.
Old Airport (around Menelik II Avenue)cautionResidential and commercial mix; moderate crime risk including mugging; avoid walking alone after dark.
Gurd SholacautionPopular with expatriates and students; generally safe by day but increased petty theft reports in evenings and near transit hubs.
KazanchissaferDiplomatic quarter with strong security presence; well-lit and patrolled, considered one of the safest areas for visitors.
Mexico Square areasaferCentral business district with good lighting and regular patrols; safe during daytime; remain alert for scams and pickpockets.
07 · After Dark
Is Addis Ababa safe at night?
While violent crime is reportedly low in Addis Ababa, muggings can occur, particularly in less populated areas or at night.
After dark, be most careful around Merkato, Sarbet, Bole, Piassa. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Addis Ababa safety FAQ (2026)
Is Addis Ababa safe right now (2026)?
Reconsider travel to Addis Ababa due to significant security concerns and official advisories. While Addis Ababa is considered one of Africa's safer major cities with a relatively stable security situation compared to other parts of Ethiopia, official government advisories from the US, UK, and Canada all recommend reconsidering or avoiding non-essential travel. Petty crime and tourist scams are present, and visitors should be aware of the broader regional instability. (Assessed 10 September 2026.)
Is Addis Ababa safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Addis Ababa report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Addis Ababa should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Merkato, Sarbet as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Addis Ababa (2026)?
- Tourist scams targeting visitors, often involving inflated prices or fake goods.
- Pickpocketing in crowded areas like markets.
How does Addis Ababa compare with other places in Ethiopia (2026)?
Addis Ababa ranks #4 of 9 Ethiopia destinations we've assessed, scoring 43/100. See the Ethiopia safety overview for the full list.
How is this addis-ababa safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Ethiopia safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: addis-ababa.json (CC BY 4.0).