Harar
Harar Jugol, the compact 1 km2 maze of limestone alleys perched on an escarpment 500 km east of Addis Ababa, is one of the most atmospheric Ethiopia attractions. Inscribed by UNESCO in 2006 for its rare fusion of African and Islamic traditions, it preserves Africa’s only intact mediaeval city wall.
Why book a Harar tour?
Called the Fourth Holy City of Islam, Harar harbours 82 mosques, 102 shrines and countless Quranic schools. Dawn prayers mingle with the aroma of freshly roasted coffee, while pastel facades glow under highland sunlight. The city’s small scale lets visitors dive straight into daily life—sipping sorghum beer with locals, watching women weave bright baskets or bartering for khat leaves at the market.
Where it is and how to reach it
At 1,885 m, Harar straddles the climatic border of the cool Ethiopian Highlands and the hot Somali plains. Ethiopian Airlines jets from Addis Ababa to Dire Dawa in 70 minutes; a paved road covers the final 55 km by minibus or hired car. Rail enthusiasts can ride the revitalised Addis–Djibouti line to Dire Dawa before transferring.
A short history
The ramparts were begun in the 13th century and finished by Emir Nur in 1567 to protect the flourishing Harari Kingdom from Christian Abyssinia. For three centuries Harar controlled caravan routes that funnelled coffee, salt and civet musk to the Red Sea. French poet Arthur Rimbaud traded here in the 1880s, shortly before Emperor Menelik II annexed the city without bloodshed in 1887.
Must-see highlights
- The Five Gates—enter through Duke or Asma to glimpse cannon scars from Ottoman and Egyptian incursions.
- Nightly hyena feeding—outside Fallana Gate, “hyena men” summon spotted hyenas and hand-feed them raw meat, a unique pact said to ward off evil spirits. Tourists may offer a morsel from a short stick gripped between their teet.
- Harari houses—step into a traditional ge gar; raised platforms mark social rank, while colourful basket niches display a bride’s dowry.
- Rimbaud House—an Indian-Ocean style mansion housing photos and trade artefacts from the 19th century.
- Bustling markets—shop for woven timbalho baskets, incense and the celebrated Harar Coffee.
Place among Ethiopia attractions
Lalibela’s rock churches inspire awe and the Simien Mountains lure trekkers, yet Harar offers something rarer—a living, inhabited heritage site. Its 40,000 Harari people still speak their Cushitic tongue, practise Sufi rituals and host convivial coffee ceremonies in sun-drenched courtyards. A Harar tour therefore complements the northern circuit with colour, conversation and cuisine rather than monumental stone.
Practical advice
Allow two full days to wander 368 alleys with a licensed guide who can decode symbols on doorposts and steer you to hidden shrines. Dress modestly, especially on Fridays, and ask before taking portraits. ATMs exist but often run out of cash; carry small birr notes. Evenings feel cool, so pack a light jacket for the hyena show. Guest-houses cluster near Shoa Gate, while hillside lodges provide sunset terraces over the old town.
For travellers seeking living culture wrapped in storied stone, Harar Walled City remains an irresistible highlight—a fragrant, friendly crossroads where history, faith and folklore still flourish behind ochre walls.
