The highest capital in the world, Addis Ababa's elevation moderates monthly temperatures, and being situated on the equator, the temperatures are very constant throughout the year. Addis has a subtropical highland climate that is generally mild and pleasant with average temperatures of 25 °C (77°F).

There is a large and efficient network of blue and white minibuses that cover the city which are easy to hail from the side of the road. The cost ranges from 0.70 Br for short trips, to 1.55 Br or more for a longer trip. It is worth having an Ethiopian guide with you if it is your first time using these taxis. Small blue coloured taxis are more expensive. They range from 10 Br for a very short journey, to about 35 Br for a cross-town trek. Negotiation is the norm and you often have to press quite hard to get a bargain as a foreigner. They can be contracted for a full day, just negotiate. Walking is still the preferred and more sensible method of transport around this city though beggars can be bothersome. The road names are few and often don't match the ones written on maps, so it is best to navigate by using landmarks. Car hire can be organised through international agencies in Addis Ababa and a full valid international licence is required and the licence from country of origin must be endorsed locally. Drivers must be a minimum of 18 years old. Churchill Avenue is the main thoroughfare and shopping street in Addis Ababa. Vehicle travel outside the city after dark can be risky. Autobus Terra, near Mercato, is where most of the national buses arrive and depart and is the main bus terminal. The only working railway line runs between Addis Ababa and Djibouti, via Dire Dawa and Harar. Travellers should be prepared for occasional delays.

There are a few havens of peace and familiarity for children and their parents. Chief among these are the Hilton and the Sheraton which both have swimming pools that non-guests can use for a fee. The food is also good there, although expensive. Kids also tend to enjoy the Addis Ababa museum with its stuffed animals and various curiosities. Some children will find Mercato to be a fascinating and exciting experience; others will loathe its chaos and congestion. In fact, much the same can be said for the whole of Ethiopia.

Amharic is the official language, although over 80 local languages are also spoken. English and Arabic are widely spoken as well as some French and Italian.

The official currency is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB), which is divided into 100 cents. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and authorised hotels. Credit cards have limited usage outside of Addis Ababa, and even in the capital they are only accepted by major establishments. Visitors should carry a supply of travellers cheques or hard currency with them, preferably in US dollars. ATMs are sparse, but banks are usually open every day except Sundays from 8am to 11am and 1pm till 4pm.

Addis is the perfect place to buy some emblematic souvenirs of your stay in Ethiopia. Top of your shopping list is likely to be a pack of Ethiopian coffee beans, preferably vacuum sealed to preserve their freshness. Decorative metalwork, in the form of crosses, and painted religious artworks on carved wooden boards are also popular. Filigreed silver and gold jewellery is also a great buy.

Other good buys are woven blankets and cloth, 17th century silver Marie Therese Thaler coins, and items bearing the image of Haile Selassie and the distinctive Rastafarian colours. If buying what you believe to be an antique ensure you obtain a clearance certificate from the vendor as Bole customs are always on lookout for smugglers of Ethiopian heritage items.

The most popular place to shop is the Merkato, which is an essential tourist experience although not for the fainthearted. This is a chaotic, thrilling flea market with a diverse range of both goods and people, including a fair number of shifty characters. All prices are negotiable. Another shopping area is Churchill Road, above the main post office on the right.

If bargaining is not your thing, and you don't mind being overcharged a bit, do your souvenir shopping in the boutiques at the Hilton and the Sheraton, where high quality examples of the classic Ethiopian souvenirs can be bought without the crush and fuss of the more typical shopping experience in Merkato. The shops at Bole Airport are decent too, but are only open when an international flight is departing.

Visit the Former Women Fuelwood Carriers Project for good quality souvenirs like woven hand shawls in support of a good cause. Similarly the alert Handicraft Shop makes sells beautiful embroidery in support of the Berhan Taye Leprosy Disabled Persons Work Group. Check out Sabahar, near the Salem nurses college, which makes extraordinary silk scarves. There are also some great bookshops in Addis. Try The African Bookshop for great second-hand reads, The Mega Book Shop for the most eclectic range of literature you'll ever find, and Ethiopian Trading Enterprises for fantastic and cheap postcards.

Before burning all your remaining birr on a shopping spree remember that luggage is carefully weighed at the airport with hefty surcharges for those going over the specified limits of 44 pounds (20kg) for check-in luggage and 15 pounds (7kg) for hand luggage.

A note on finding your way around in Addis: a good taxi driver is a better option than a detailed map or GPS as street names change name/direction quite often. If your driver can double up as a guide and negotiator for your trip into Merkato, so much the better.

There is plenty to see and do in Addis Ababa - but the journey to the attractions is frequently more interesting than the sights themselves. This is particularly the case should you choose to walk the city and navigate your way to the main museums and buildings yourself. It is probably a good idea to hire a taxi driver for a daily fee and have him drive you around.

You are likely to be offered seats at an alleged 'cultural show' which takes place at a backstreet restaurant or venue. Refuse these offers - they are the opening bid in a classic scam that ends with a thorough fleecing of their tourist victims. If you do wish to see traditional dancing and music simply dine at any decent and reputable restaurant where such attractions are provided free.

As for Addis Ababa's mainstream attractions, don't miss paying Lucy a visit at the National Museum, doing a bit of shopping at the Merkato - largest market in Africa, and seeing the wonderful cultural artefacts in the Ethnological Museum and relics of the early city in the Addis Ababa Museum. Its also worth keeping your eyes open for the numerous concrete Soviet statues and buildings that dot the city. The most overrated attraction in town is the Zoo - avoid it unless drawn to macabre sights.

There is a good tourist information booth off Meskel Square if you need some impartial advice or want a reliable tour guide.

Local time is GMT +3.