Shopping

There are plenty of locally-made crafts to shop for, which range from Ethiopian fabrics turned clothing and linens, to artisan jewellery and footwear (there are a few designers to keep on your radar), to various local edibles and spices. The place to be for all of these and more is the bustling Mercato, a sprawling market with entire sections dedicated to individual types of product. It's best you go with a guide if there is the option: vendors often keep their goods inside stalls, making it not immediately apparent what it is that is being sold. A smaller, more manageable market offering a comparable experience is the Sholla, while the Shiro Meda is one dedicated to clothing and textiles only.

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soleRebels

SoleRebels was the first footwear producer to receive certification from the World Fair Trade Organisation. Their cause is to provide its workers with honest compensation and contribute to sustainable development by using recycled car tires and natural fabrics in shoe production. And it's not just shoes, but clothing and accessories …

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St George Gallery

The art gallery and shop hybrid, St George is definitely not for travellers on a budget, but those looking to purchase Ethiopian antiques or artworks. Anything from scarves and bed linens to paintings by celebrated artists. Also stocks jewellery and …

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Shiro Meda Market

Much more modest in size, but with that also a lot more manageable, the Shiro Meda Market (also spelled "Chiromeda") sells Ethiopian textiles in all their forms, from Ethiopian wedding dresses to various types of clothing, linens, and fabrics. Make use of a guide if you …

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Salem's Ethiopia

This quiet oasis of a workshop, only a stone's throw away from the Addis Ababa airport, is a great place to shop if the Mercato proves to be a tad overwhelming. Salem's is a much more relaxed experience that allows you to browse at your own leisure, selecting from fabrics, clothing, jewellery, woven items, …

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Zaaf Collection

The remarkably stylish bags of this Ethiopian label are a treat one really shouldn't deny themselves when in Addis. Functional and modern, the brand's pieces all contain a slither of traditional ornament, giving the items individual …

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Anbar Marketplace

The bi-annual happening that is Anbar Marketplace (locations vary) gathers the best of local producers, many without brick-and-mortar shops, to showcase and sell their wares, from clothing and jewellery to all manner of edibles. There is a small entrance fee; live music plays and dining options are …

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