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Harar (sometimes spelled Harrar or Harer) is an ancient city in eastern Ethiopia. Harar Jugol, the old walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is considered the fourth holiest city of Islam by Sunni Muslims (after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem), with 82 mosques, three of which date from the 10th century, and 102 shrines.
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Located in a mansion where Haile Selassie lived as a child. Better to have a guide for this one to explain the dusty artifacts.
A mansion that once housed the renowned French poet Arthur Rimbaud now converted to a museum.
Harar Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Name of Mary
One of two churches in the Jugol. Has an impressive carved wood door.
Medhane Alem Cathedral
A beautiful Ethiopian Orthodox cathedral on the Feres Magala square.
Grand Mosque of Harar
At the centre of the Jugol. Only Muslims may enter.
Emir Nur's Tomb
A domed shrine for the 16th-century Emir of Harar.
Displays artifacts of the region. Its gate is locked as of 2025, although the signs are still up and it appears well maintained. Across the street are mansions that belonged to Haile Selassie's family.
Watch hyenas and then feed them yourself with rotten meat. Every bajaj and taxi driver knows the location, but you can walk there from the old city. There is a long standing tradition of feeding porridge to hyenas one night a year.
Purchase meat from the Gidir Magala butcher shops and then feed the black kites (birds of prey) waiting patiently above you. Or you can sit around and see if they get lucky enough to snatch someone else's meat.
The festival celebrating the end of Ramadan.
A Harari cultural festival lasting 24 hours. Held on the 8th day of the Islamic calendar month of Shewal (through 2028 this will be in March; in 2029 it will be in February).
A celebration to mark the parting of the Red Sea by Moses. Held on the 10th day of the Islamic calendar month of Muharram.
Butchers who sell camel meat which they will cook for you. You can eat it at the juice shop next door (they will deliver it to you). Now you can finally quiet those who ask "have you ever tried camel?" It's quite delicious, but know that it served with hot peppers and an even spicier sauce (along with the obligatgory injera bread). Now only elephant and snow leopard to go.
Has Ethiopian, Italian and American food. Popular with locals and tourists.
Watch Harar coffee being roasted. Purchase coffee beans. You can drink it as well!
Strong and delicious coffee. Strong even by Ethiopian standards.
A pleasant place to drink juice outdoors with a great view to the south. If you've made it to Harar, then you've probably already tried Ethiopian juice. If you haven't, then drop everything immediately and try Ethiopian juice.
This is the go-to bar in Harar. Loud music, sports (football), and decent, although not great, bar food (basically tibs). Try the local Harar beer here before everyone heads out to the clubs around 10 or 11pm.
Nightclubs line this unnamed street; you'll have to use the map. They get livelier as the night goes on. Expect a mix of Ethiopian and American music. Most charge a cover, but for most foreigners it will be minimal (say, 100 birr per person). Party nights in Harar are Saturday and Sunday nights.
Try the brew from the source: Harar Beer from the Harar Brewery.
A cozy and clean place, bathroom inside, running water, friendly staff. Located near the eastern hyena feeding site.
Good rooms and facilities. Friendly staff. Breakfast included. There is also a restaurant.
Basic but clean rooms and a pleasant courtyard. Good value for money.
Popular due to its on-site restaurant and bar.
Has a huge variety of coffee and spices and is worth a visit.
Wonderful handmade traditional fabric and clothing, along with some Asian imports around the outskirts.
The drug of choice for pretty much everyone in the region, the first step to trying khat is buying it. Be discerning or hire someone who can discern for you.
A medium-sized grocery store.
Vendors crowd around the westbound minibus station just south of the Harar Gate, in case you're in a pinch.
By bus
There is bus service from Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa and Jijiga.
By train
If the bus from Addis Ababa sounds uncomfortable (it is), alternatively you can take the overnight train from southern outskirts of Addis Ababa to the Dire Dawa station (about 10km west of the city),…
By car
Harar is 54 km by asphalt road from Dire Dawa. In Dire Dawa you can hire a private taxi to take you to Harar for around 5000 birr (as of 2025; ask at a hotel).
By plane
Harar is served by Dire Dawa International Airport. From the airport you need to take a shared taxi to the minibus station where the minibuses depart for Harar.
Auto rickshaws ("bajaji" in Ethiopia) are readily available. Flag one down pretty much anywhere. There is no need to take them around the Jugol as it is very walkable.
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Dire Dawa · International · DIR
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