Dire Dawa in eastern Ethiopia is the second-largest city in Ethiopia.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Dire Dawa (which means "Place of Remedy") is one of two chartered cities in Ethiopia (the other being Addis Ababa, the capital). Dire Dawa was founded in 1902 after the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway reached the area. The railway could not reach the city of Harar at its higher elevation, so Dire Dawa was built nearby. It is a major hub for many ethnic groups in Ethiopia, especially the Afar, Oromo, and Somali. The city is an industrial center on the Dechatu River, and home to several markets. It lies at the foot of a ring of cliffs that has been described as "somewhat like a cluster of tea-leaves in the bottom of a slop-basin".
The blue and white minibuses are in abundance in Dire Dawa, as are the small blue bajaji (auto rickshaws). These are easily hail-able from the street. Most Dire Dawa taxi drivers don't have a sense of time, if you tell your contracted taxi driver to pick you up or drop you of at a certain time, expect him to be late an hour or two.
There isn't a whole lot to see in Dire Dawa. The French-built train station can give you a 19th-century feeling. At night and early in the morning, the Dechatu River Basin has a heart-warming sunset and sunrise scene. 1 Palace of Haile Selassie. A small palace built for former Emperor Haile Selassie. There have been talks to turn this into a museum, but no plans have materialized yet. (updated Apr 2016)
Most of the residents of the city chew the narcotic leaves known as "Chat" (aka qat, khat, catha edulis). In the afternoon, in many places, Dire Dawans sit in circle and consume khat, with several cups of coffee. During this time there could be a heated discussion. Avoid political topics, especially with the Ethiopian Somalis or Somali refugees. Other than that, you could have an interesting experience with the lightly narcotic drug. Twice yearly (July and December) there is a religious ceremony at the nearby city of Kulubi (30 birr by minibus, 1 hour). It is a mass gathering with many small stalls selling clothes, sugar cane, etc.
Paradiso restaurant found on the road to Harar near the edge of town is regarded as the best Italian in town. It is most famous for lasagna and the roasted goat meat with rice. The traditional Ethiopian dishes are also of high quality. Peacock Hotel has some nice ice cream and pool tables. 1 Al Hashim Tafach migeb bet. Renown throughout the region for its baclava and other baked goods. If you want the baclava, come early (before 9am ideally), because they sell out fast. (updated Nov 2025)
Generally safe. However, you need to pay attention to your belongings. Your backpacks, camera and other shiny tourist items can attract pickpockets and con artists. Immigration of Somalis and a tension that may have created with locals has resulted in the city being heavily policed. Avoid political discussions, especially in regards to Somalia.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Dire Dawa typically sees ~34°C daytime highs and 6 rainy days.
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