Adama, still widely known by its former name Nazret, sits between the base of an escarpment to the west and the Great Rift Valley to the east, on the road that links Addis Ababa with Dire Dawa. It is a busy transportation centre, with heavy truck traffic on the main route and the Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway running through the city.
For a visitor, the practical layout is simple: almost everything of use to a traveller is strung along the Addis Ababa–Dire Dawa Road, with quieter side streets branching off it. This guide covers which of those areas to base yourself in, what kind of accommodation each one holds, and how the choice changes depending on your budget and reason for visiting.
Best areas to stay in Adama (Nazret)
1. The Addis Ababa–Dire Dawa Road
The city's main artery is where the larger, more established places to stay are found, including hotels in modern multi-level buildings with restaurants, outdoor dining areas and courtyards. This is the most straightforward base if you are passing through on the Addis Ababa–Dire Dawa route or using the railway, since you are already on the transport corridor.
It suits first-time visitors and travellers who want the widest choice without hunting through side streets. The trade-off is noise: parts of the road sit across from filling stations where truck traffic can be loud at times, so ask for a room away from the road side if quiet matters to you.
2. Side streets off the main road
The streets running off the main road are where you find many inexpensive guesthouses, quite a lot of them signposted in English or findable on Google Maps. Rooms here are typically simple, and a clean room with a hot shower and an old television in a decent guesthouse building was quoted at 250–300 birr in July 2019.
This is the area for budget travellers and anyone willing to walk around to compare. Availability tightens at weekends, when many people come to Adama from Addis Ababa, so arriving earlier in the week or being prepared to look at several places makes a difference.
3. South of the Addis Ababa–Dire Dawa Road
A few blocks south of the main road you find newer accommodation set around courtyards, with facilities such as a swimming pool and an observation tower, plus an on-site restaurant. It is a short step away from the transport corridor while being slightly removed from its immediate traffic.
This suits travellers who want a quieter setting than the roadside but still want to be within walking distance of the main road and its connections. It is a reasonable middle option for couples and for those staying more than one night.
4. Peacock Road
Peacock Road is home to traditionally styled accommodation, including one of the few places in the city that can be booked online. Buildings here have in some cases faded since they were built, and electricity and internet can be intermittent, so treat it as a comfortable rather than a polished base.
It suits visitors who value being able to reserve ahead and who do not mind a quieter, sometimes near-empty setting. If reliable connectivity is essential to your trip, plan around it rather than relying on it.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: inexpensive guesthouses on the side streets off the main road, often signposted in English and findable on Google Maps; expect simple rooms, sometimes with a hot shower and an older television, and be ready to walk around to compare, especially at weekends.
- Mid-range: hotels along the Addis Ababa–Dire Dawa Road and a few blocks south of it, with restaurants, courtyards and in some cases a pool; rooms in modern multi-level buildings may show wear in the plumbing, and garden or courtyard-facing rooms tend to be quieter.
- Splurge: the traditionally styled, more formal accommodation on Peacock Road, which is among the few options that can be booked online; note that electricity and internet can be intermittent and the property is rarely busy.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself along the Addis Ababa–Dire Dawa Road. It puts you on the city's main transport corridor, close to the largest concentration of established accommodation with restaurants and dining areas, and it makes arrivals and departures by road or rail straightforward. Choose a room set back from the road if you are sensitive to truck noise.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find inexpensive places to stay in Adama?
Look at the side streets off the main road, where many inexpensive guesthouses are located. Quite a lot are signposted in English or can be found via Google Maps, and you may need to walk around a bit to find one, particularly at weekends.
Why is it harder to find a room at weekends?
Weekends are when many people come to Adama from Addis Ababa, so availability is tighter. Arriving earlier in the week, or allowing time to check several places, makes the search easier.
Is noise a problem near the main road?
It can be. The city is a busy transportation centre and a large number of trucks use the Addis Ababa–Dire Dawa route. Some accommodation on the main road sits across from filling stations where truck traffic can be noisy at times, so ask for a room away from the road or choose courtyard-facing rooms.
Can I book accommodation in Adama online?
Only a limited number of places can be booked online; the traditionally styled accommodation on Peacock Road is noted as one of the few. For most guesthouses and hotels, you will need to arrange your stay on arrival or by contacting them directly.
Compare live prices and availability for your dates using the booking tools on this page before you commit.