Old walled town

Harar and Dire Dawa are wonderful places that should be explored. It is the fourth holiest city for Muslims, after Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem, and has a labyrinth of narrow alleyways encircled by historic city walls. Its architecture is heavily influenced by Islam. Harar is a very old town with a rich history and a rich cultural and religious heritage. Dire Dawa, on the other hand, is a new town that is clean and contemporary and has grown to become an important industrial and commercial center. It is also Ethiopia's second largest town in terms of population.

main Attractions

Keep an eye out for the "Hyena-man" on the outskirts of town. He feeds the hyenas, which come into town at night, in a spectacular manner. Taiwan and Kefira colorful markets are particularly appealing, since they allow visitors to interact with people from the region, including the Afar, Somali, and Oromo. Other attractions include typical Harari dwellings, the French poet –Rimbaud residence, mosques, medieval city walls and gates, and the historic palace of Ras Mekonnen, the father of later Emperor Haile Selassie.