Mercato Market


The capital of Ethiopia is the Addis Merkato (Addis Merkato) market or simply Mercato. It is considered the largest on the African continent and represents a huge area in the open air, which is filled with outlets. On the shelves sell all kinds of goods, from jewelry to fruit.

Description of sight


The capital of Ethiopia is the Addis Merkato (Addis Merkato) market or simply Mercato. It is considered the largest on the African continent and represents a huge area in the open air, which is filled with outlets. On the shelves sell all kinds of goods, from jewelry to fruit.

Description of sight

Its market name in Addis Ababa was acquired during the occupation in the 30s of the XX century, then it was called Saint George Merkato. The Italians wanted to create a European center here, and Arab and African merchants moved to the west for several kilometers.

Here, the main trading operations took place. European sellers demonstrated their goods through glass showcases. In 1960 this bazaar became the center of the city. Local residents gradually ousted foreign traders, and the territory of the Mercato market quickly expanded in different directions.

Today its area is several tens of kilometers, and the extreme points are difficult to detect. Every day, about 7,000 trade outlets are opened here, and over 13,000 sellers go to work. Some of them have specially equipped places, while others are located with their goods right on the ground.

There is no system here, so travelers can easily get lost in intricate quarters. Merchant marketers are particularly vigorous: if they notice that the tourist has shown an interest in their product, they will offer a lot of unnecessary things. The purpose of most items remains a mystery for Europeans.

Trade Features

The Mercato market is a noisy place, but it is very colorful. Travelers come here to feel the national spirit of Africa and get to know the real life of indigenous people without tourist romanticism.

Here you can buy:

In order to find unique souvenirs or high-quality goods on the market, it is necessary to walk around the rows very carefully. The initial price for the products is usually overstated, so the Mercato market can be boldly bargained. Sellers give in with great pleasure, but you should behave confidently. You can pay in local birrs and in dollars.

Helpful information

The bazaar works every day from dawn till late evening. Be careful: here you can meet a large number of crooks and pocket thieves. They seek out careless foreigners and often plunder them, so hide money and documents in your inner pockets, and keep bags and portable equipment in your hands.

Moving through the confusing and narrow streets of the Mercato market is best accompanied by a guide. It will help not only to find and choose the right product for you, but also will get a substantial discount on the thing you like. If you are going to visit the bazaar in bad weather, then put on your durable clothes and waterproof shoes. Roads in the market of Mercato have pits and potholes, which, during the rain, fill with water and form mud around them. Walking here is difficult and even dangerous, you can fall and get dirty.

How to get there?

From the center of the capital to the market of Mercato, you can get by taxi or car on the road number 1 or on the highway Dej Wolde Mikael St and Dej. Bekele Weya St. The distance is about 7 km.