Things To Do
in Āwarē
Āwarē is a compact highland town in Ethiopia's Amhara region, perched on rolling plateaus with sweeping valley views. It is renowned for its unique community ethos and welcoming residents who maintain traditional ways of life alongside cooperative ventures. The town provides a calm, walkable core with a strong sense of place, peppered by markets, craft workshops, and coffee culture.
Visitors should expect cooler evenings at altitude, friendly interactions, and opportunities to observe rural Ethiopian life up close.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
You’ll be welcomed at Semera Airport and transferred to your accommodation in Āwarē where you can unwind after your journey. A traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony will introduce you to local hospitality and flavors in a serene courtyard setting. You’ll join a brief orientation with your guide to review safety protocols and the highlights planned for the days ahead.
Set out on a gentle walking tour of Āwarē’s main streets to get your bearings and meet local shopkeepers and artisans. Stop by the bustling central market to sample injera, fresh fruit, and hand-rolled sugar cane. Your guide will share insights into Afar culture, language basics, and regional history as you wander.
Return to your lodge for a light dinner featuring spiced lentils and honeyed teff bread under a thatched veranda. As dusk falls, gather around a fire pit to hear Afar folk tales and ancestral legends told by a community elder. Fall asleep to the soft night calls of nearby acacia trees and the hush of the desert breeze.
Rise early to the sounds of traders preparing stalls at the Āwarē market, where colorful textiles, spices, and crafts fill every aisle. You’ll join a seasoned market guide to sample fresh camel milk yogurt and date-stuffed pastries. Photographs of lively bartering scenes and smiles exchanged with vendors will capture the spirit of local life.
Learn the art of the Ethiopian coffee ceremony in a family-run courtyard, roasting beans over hot coals and pounding them to fragrant dust. Participate in three rounds of coffee brewing, each accompanied by sweet popcorn and cardamom-infused water. As you sip the dark brew, discuss regional customs and clan traditions with your hosts.
Attend a cultural performance featuring local dancers clad in bright Afar shawls and silver jewelry. The rhythmic drumming and ululation will immerse you in centuries-old celebratory rituals. Conclude the night with a moonlit stroll back to your lodging, the air scented with desert thyme.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $3-7 |
| ☕Coffee or tea at cafe | $0.5-2 |
| 🌯Street food or snack | $1-4 |
| 🏨Budget hotel/guesthouse per night | $15-40 |
| 🧶Local crafts or market purchase | $2-15 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Warm, welcoming communities with a distinctive social ethos
- Rich coffee culture and traditional Ethiopian cuisine
- Compact, walkable town center and scenic highland landscapes
- Opportunities to learn about cooperative economies and gender equality in practice
- Limited nightlife and modern entertainment options
- Roads can be challenging during rainy seasons and distances may feel long
- Limited international flight connectivity; typically requires a major gateway
- Fewer developed tourist facilities compared to larger Ethiopian destinations
- "Selam" - Hello / Peace
- "Dehna neh?" - How are you? (male)
- "Dehna nesh?" - How are you? (female)
- "Ameseginaleh" - Thank you
- "Ziayen yemiwedekim" - Nice to meet you
- "Betam amesegenallo" - Thank you very much
- "Yekenyelegegnallo" - Excuse me / Pardon me
- "Betam mechewata" - Very good
Places to Visit in Āwarē
Visit one of these nice places.
Panoramic highland views across the town and surrounding valleys, best at sunrise or sunset for warm light.
Colorful stalls and candid portraits of traders; early morning light adds depth and texture to scenes.
Capture the roasting beans, incense, and the ceremonial ritual that defines Ethiopian coffee culture.
Geometric patterns of terraces carved into the hillside; ideal for wide-angle landscape shots.
Rustic architecture and narrow lanes bathed in golden late-afternoon light, offering intimate street photography.
Food in Āwarē
Āwarē Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Fermented flatbread served with a spicy chicken stew; a quintessential Ethiopian pairing to try with a local beer or coffee.
Must-Try!
Spiced lentil stew cooked with berbere and garlic; a staple vegetarian option that pairs well with injera.
Ground chickpea or broad bean flour stew, rich in flavor and typically served with injera.
Cabbage, potatoes, and carrots simmered in a light tomato base; a comforting, meat-free dish.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Morning market where locals buy produce, spices, injera, and household staples; ideal for observing daily life and negotiating small purchases.
Roasted chickpeas, corn on the cob, and simple injera wraps sold by vendors; great for a quick, inexpensive bite.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Begin conversations with a polite greeting (Selam). Use the right hand for giving and receiving; show respect at religious sites.
Dress modestly in public spaces; remove hats indoors and at religious venues; avoid loud behavior in markets and during ceremonies.
If invited to a ceremony, observe quietly, accept the brew, and thank the host; photos should be asked for permission.
Safety
Tipping in Āwarē
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory; 5–10% in dining or with guides is common; small tips to porters, drivers, and craftspeople are welcomed.
Cash in Ethiopian birr is widely used; some guesthouses and larger shops may accept cards or US dollars, but cash is preferred. Carry small denominations for markets and tips.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Clear skies, cooler mornings and evenings, pleasant for trekking and city strolls; dust may be present on dry roads.
Ground is lush and green; frequent showers can make travel slower and some paths muddy, but scenery is dramatic and photographic.
Warm days with occasional showers; good for fewer crowds, early starts are best for comfortable trekking.
Āwarē at Night
Hiking in Āwarē
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
A scenic route offering panoramic views of the highland valley and surrounding villages; best explored with a local guide.
Gentle walk along agricultural terraces—ideal for photography and learning about local farming cycles.
Several lookout points along the ridge provide sweeping sunsets and expansive landscapes.
Airports
How to reach Āwarē by plane.
Main international gateway to Ethiopia; most visitors fly here first and then travel overland to Āwarē or connect via domestic flights.
Regional airport serving northeastern routes; can be used for combined itineraries, followed by road transfer to Āwarē.
Small regional airport useful for northern departures; requires road transfer to the Amhara highlands region.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Predominantly Amhara residents; Amharic is the common language, with a strong sense of regional identity and rural livelihood.
A mix of domestic travelers and occasional international visitors drawn to Āwarē’s cooperative model and highland scenery.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The most widely followed sport in the region, with local clubs and informal games common in town squares.
Benefiting from the highland terrain, amateur and local runners often train on hillside routes.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Āwarē.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Ethiopian vegetarian dishes are abundant (lentils, beans, vegetables, and injera). Request ohne meat or dairy where needed; clarify if ghee (niter kibbeh) is used if avoiding dairy fat.