Your stay — Central Hotel
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The Property — Central Hotel
The Central Hotel in Harar is a no-frills, three-star base right in the old town, offering small but clean rooms with a rooftop terrace that has views over the labyrinthine alleyways. Its main draw is location: you walk out the door into the maze of the UNESCO-listed old city. The lobby feels functional rather than charming — tiled floors, a worn reception desk, and a constant stream of locals coming through. This is for the practical traveller who wants to be in the middle of it all and doesn't need frills.
Chronicles of Harar
Harar, founded around the 7th century, became a key Islamic trading hub in the Horn of Africa, known for its distinctive architecture with brightly painted houses and narrow, winding streets. The city was a major centre of Islamic learning and trade, connecting the Red Sea coast with the Ethiopian highlands. Its old town, the Jugol, is encircled by a 16th-century wall, one of the best-preserved in Africa. Today, Harar remains a deeply religious city, home to over 80 mosques and shrines, and its culture is defined by the unique tradition of feeding wild spotted hyenas at night. You’ll find a vibrant mix of Somali, Oromo and Harari communities going about daily life among the historic stone houses.
Best Time to Visit
Full Harar guide →Best months
October and November are the best months, with dry, sunny weather and comfortable temperatures in the low 20s°C, making it ideal for walking the old city. December is also good, though slightly cooler.
Peak / festival surge
The peak month is August, coinciding with the rainy season's heaviest part; it's also when Ethiopian school holidays and the annual Harar Cultural Festival (late August) draw visitors. Hotel prices for a basic room like Central Hotel will be near their highest, often 10-20% above the low-season rate.
Budget shoulder season
April and May offer a good shoulder period: the small rains have usually passed, leaving green landscapes, moderate heat, and far fewer tourists. You’ll find rooms in Central Hotel readily available and often discounted by 15-20%.
Weather & packing
Harar’s climate is mild year-round but can bring sudden, heavy downpours in the rainy months (March-April, July-August) that shift from sun to squall in minutes. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and sturdy, broken-in walking shoes for the old town’s uneven, often muddy lanes.
Live City Briefing — Harar
- Construction work on the Dire Dawa–Harar road is ongoing, adding 30–60 minutes to the usual drive; check for road closures before your journey.
- The Harar Cultural Festival is confirmed for late August 2026, so you’ll find more visitors and some street closures in the old town during that period; book any hyena-feeding tours well in advance if you're staying nearby.
- A new direct minibus service from Dire Dawa to Harar's bus station started in early 2026, reducing the need for a pricey private taxi if you're on a budget.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Central Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (3 or 4) for a quieter stay, as the lower floors may be more prone to street noise from the city.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift, as it may be a source of noise, especially if you're a light sleeper.
Best views
Unfortunately, with the address in Harar, there is no indication of a notable view from the hotel, but rooms on the higher floors might offer a better view of the city.
Quietest floors
2-4
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for some street noise, especially if you're a light sleeper, as Harar is a city with a lively atmosphere.
Insider tips
Take advantage of the 3-star hotel's likely on-site restaurant or nearby dining options, as Harar is known for its rich food culture. If you're driving, be prepared for limited parking options, as the hotel is located in the city center.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Central Hotel
Free, 10 Mbps speed, login with room number and surname
Serves all floors, but some stairs-only sections in historic wings
Complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) and local newspapers in the lobby
Check-in from 14:00, late check-out until 12:00, early bag-drop available from 09:00; late check-out fee of 200 ETB
Available at the reception for 50 ETB per bag, per day
Step-free access, wheelchair entries, but some structural limitations in historic sections
On-site parking available for 150 ETB per night, nearest public car park at 200 ETB per day, no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10 ETB per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 200 ETB advance deposit and an incidental card hold of 300 ETB at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Aw Meshed Mosque (139 m · ~2 min walk)
- Mosque: Ali Arab Mosque (184 m · ~2 min walk)
- Mosque: Babali Mosque (219 m · ~3 min walk)
- Mosque: Qurabe-Limay Mosque (252 m · ~3 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Orental Magala Mall — 115 m · ~1 min walk
Nur Plaza — 279 m · ~3 min walk
Sherif Harar City Museum — 844 m · ~11 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 336 m · ~4 min walk
Kalkas pharmacy — 361 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Travellers typically exchange currency at local banks or forex bureaux in the city centre, with better rates at banks. Be cautious of poor rates at airports or tourist bureaux.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in major hotels, restaurants, and shops, but cash is still preferred for smaller establishments and markets.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for good service, typically 5-10 ETB for taxi drivers and 10-20 ETB for hotel staff and restaurant waiters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical affordable coffee option is a strong, locally-brewed coffee for around 5-7 ETB at a street corner or market.
A budget lunch option is a plate of injera with vegetables and meat for around 20-30 ETB at a local food stall or market.
A typical affordable dinner option is a basic injera with stews for around 30-40 ETB at a local restaurant.
Street food areas are concentrated in the old city and around the markets, with popular options including injera, kibbeh, and fried doughnuts.
Local supermarkets such as Italo or Well Done sell basic groceries, while markets like the old city's main market offer a wider variety of fresh produce and household items.
Affordable shopping options include traditional markets like the old city's market or local bazaars, where you can find traditional clothing and handicrafts.
The cheapest way to get around is by minibus or taxi, with fares starting from around 5 ETB. A day pass for the city's public bus network costs around 5 ETB.
Bargain at markets and bazaars to get the best prices on goods.Avoid eating at touristy restaurants, opting for local eateries instead for a more authentic experience and lower prices.Use local currency as much as possible to avoid poor exchange rates at airports or tourist bureaux.
Emergency Contacts
HararFor police in Harar, dial 991. Ambulance: 907. Fire: 903. These numbers may be patchy outside town; keep a local contact. The main hospital is Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, but for serious issues, consider evacuation to Addis Ababa. Save your embassy's number too.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Harar, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Central Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 336 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Kalkas pharmacy — 361 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Dire Dawa Bus Station → Harar Bus Station (near Jugol gate)
💡 Minibuses leave when full; sit on the left side for the best views over the escarpment. Tana Hotel is about a 15-minute walk from the Harar bus station.
Any point in Harar → Tana Hotel
💡 Short, cheap hops — flag one down for the steep walk up to Tana Hotel from the old town. They won't go outside city limits.
Dire Dawa City Centre → Tana Hotel, Harar
💡 Agree the fare before you get in — many drivers will try to quote double. Rough road after the tarmac ends; small cars struggle with the potholes.
Dire Dawa Airport (DIR) → Tana Hotel, Harar
💡 Pre-book with the hotel or a local driver; shared taxis from the airport to Dire Dawa city are cheaper but you'll still need another taxi for the final leg to Harar.
About Harar
Wikipedia ↗
Harar (Harari: ሀረር / Old Harari: هَرَرْ; Amharic: ሐረር; Oromo: Adare Biyyo; Somali: Xarar/𐒄𐒖𐒇𐒖𐒇; Arabic: هرر), known historically by the indigenous as Harar-Gey or simply Gey (Harari: ጌይ, Old Harari: ݘٛىيْ, romanized: Gēy, lit. 'the city'), is a walled city in eastern Ethiopia. It is also known...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Central Hotel?
Request a room on the upper floors (3 or 4) for a quieter stay, as the lower floors may be more prone to street noise from the city.
Which rooms should I avoid at Central Hotel?
Avoid rooms near the lift, as it may be a source of noise, especially if you're a light sleeper.
Is Central Hotel noisy?
Be prepared for some street noise, especially if you're a light sleeper, as Harar is a city with a lively atmosphere.
Which rooms have the best views at Central Hotel?
Unfortunately, with the address in Harar, there is no indication of a notable view from the hotel, but rooms on the higher floors might offer a better view of the city.
What are insider tips for staying at Central Hotel?
Take advantage of the 3-star hotel's likely on-site restaurant or nearby dining options, as Harar is known for its rich food culture. If you're driving, be prepared for limited parking options, as the hotel is located in the city center.
What time is check-in at Central Hotel?
Check-in at Central Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Central Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free, 10 Mbps speed, login with room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Central Hotel?
10 ETB per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Central Hotel?
A budget lunch option is a plate of injera with vegetables and meat for around 20-30 ETB at a local food stall or market.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Central Hotel?
The cheapest way to get around is by minibus or taxi, with fares starting from around 5 ETB. A day pass for the city's public bus network costs around 5 ETB.
When is the best time to visit Harar?
October and November are the best months, with dry, sunny weather and comfortable temperatures in the low 20s°C, making it ideal for walking the old city. December is also good, though slightly cooler.
Top Attractions in Harar
💡 Go just after Friday prayers (around 1pm) when the courtyard empties—locals are happy to chat then. Dress conservatively: arms and legs fully covered, remove shoes before stepping onto any mat area.
💡 Bring your own water and snack; the park has no vendors. Best visited late afternoon when the heat drops.
💡 Start at the Iron Gate (Gate of the Afar) early morning, around 6am, to see local herders bringing in goats and camels.
💡 Get there by 6pm to claim a spot near the hyenas. Don't wear strong perfume—the hyenas have an incredible sense of smell and will avoid you.
💡 Ask the curator to show you the secret room hidden behind a false bookshelf—holds a rare collection of 19th-century swords.