From the escarpment west of town, the land drops away toward the Great Rift Valley, and on a clear morning you can watch the traffic on the Addis Ababa–Dire Dawa road thin out as it heads east. That road, and the railway beside it, are what made Adama — still widely known by its former name, Nazret — the busy transport centre it is today.
This is a working Ethiopian city rather than a resort, and it suits travellers breaking the journey between Addis Ababa and eastern Ethiopia, or anyone using it as a base for the surrounding highlands.
1. Climb the surrounding mountains, including Kechema
The city sits between the base of an escarpment to the west and the Great Rift Valley to the east, so the climbing begins close to town.
Go early in the day, when the light is clearest and the heat has not yet built up. Treat this as a half-day at least, and carry your own water.
2. Adama Stadium
Adama Stadium is the home ground of Adama City FC, a member of the Ethiopian Football Federation league. A match here puts you among local supporters and gives shape to an afternoon.
3. The Addis Ababa–Dire Dawa road and the railway through Adama
Adama is a busy transportation centre, and the road connecting Addis Ababa with Dire Dawa runs through it, carrying a large number of trucks to and from the seaports of Djibouti and Asseb. The new Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway also runs through Adama.
This is worth an hour simply as a piece of the country in motion. Combine it with a walk through the streets near the route rather than making a separate trip.
4. Adama Science and Technology University
Adama Science and Technology University, formerly Nazareth Technique College, is located in Adama.
This is a working campus rather than a visitor attraction, so go only if you have a reason to be there, and arrange any visit in advance.
5. The city's places of worship
Among the places of worship in Adama are Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo churches, mosques and madrasas, Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus congregations, Kale Heywet Word of Life Church, Full Gospel Believers Church, and Ethiopian Catholic churches under the Ethiopian Catholic Archeparchy of Addis Abeba.
Dress modestly and follow whatever guidance you are given at the door.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start early and climb the surrounding mountains, including Kechema, while the air is still cool and the views toward the Great Rift Valley are clear.
Afternoon: Come back into the city and spend time around the Addis Ababa–Dire Dawa road and the railway line through Adama, watching the transport that gives the city its character. If Adama City FC are playing at Adama Stadium, build the afternoon around the match instead.
Evening: Finish at one of the city's places of worship for evening services, or simply walk the streets as the day cools.
What is the city actually called?
It is Adama, and it was formerly known as Nazreth. Following World War II, Emperor Haile Selassie renamed the town after Biblical Nazareth, and in 2000 the city officially reverted to Adama.
How do you get to Nazret?
The city sits along the road connecting Addis Ababa with Dire Dawa, and the new Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway runs through Adama. A large number of trucks use the same road to and from the seaports of Djibouti and Asseb.
What is the best thing to do if you have limited time?
Climb the surrounding mountains, including Kechema.
What is the climate like?
The Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies the climate as tropical wet and dry.
Work out your travel dates, check the football fixtures and the weather, and you have everything you need to start planning a trip to Nazret.