Your stay — Tana Hotel
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The Property — Tana Hotel
Tana Hotel sits on a ridge overlooking the old walled city, with a functional, no-frills lobby that smells of coffee and dust. The rooms are clean but tired, the staff helpful, and the rooftop terrace is where you’ll want to be at sunset. It suits independent travellers and budget-conscious history buffs who value location over luxury.
Chronicles of Harar
Harar was founded between the 7th and 11th centuries and became a major Islamic trading centre in the Horn of Africa. Its old city, Jugol, is a dense maze of 368 alleys lined with traditional Harari houses and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2006. In the 19th century, the city was independent and even minted its own currency before being conquered by Menelik II. Today, it’s known for its four-century-old coffee ceremony, the nightly hyena-feeding ritual, and a deeply rooted Muslim identity with a Christian minority.
Best Time to Visit
Full Harar guide →Best months
October to March offers dry, cool days (20-25°C) and clear skies, perfect for exploring the old city on foot without oppressive heat or mud.
Peak / festival surge
Harar’s peak is during the Ramadan month (April in 2026) and the Ethiopian New Year in September (Enkutatash). Hotel prices double then, and demand spikes because of domestic tourism for celebrations and the coffee harvest.
Budget shoulder season
April-June and October-November are shoulder months: fewer crowds, lower rates, and still good visibility for day trips, though June may see light pre-monsoon rain.
Weather & packing
Harar’s altitude (1,900m) gives cool nights even in hot months, and sudden afternoon showers can strike between June and September. Pack a light rainjacket and a fleece or shawl for evenings.
Live City Briefing — Harar
- Ethiopian Airlines has resumed direct flights from Addis Ababa to Harar’s Dire Dawa airport (1.5hr bus transfer), making the four-hour road trip avoidable.
- The city finished renovating the main square (Ferenji Square) in early 2026, adding pedestrian paths and better street lighting in the old town.
- Café culture is booming: several new coffee ceremony houses opened near the city wall, offering raw coffee cherries for tasting, not just roasted beans.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Tana Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room at the far end of a corridor, away from stairwells and the lift. Top-floor rooms tend to be quieter and have less foot traffic overhead.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms next to the lift, ice machine, or cleaning cupboard—these see constant noise. Similarly, skip ground-floor rooms near the lobby or breakfast area for better sleep.
Best views
A room at the back of the hotel usually offers a calmer outlook (often onto a courtyard or side street) rather than a main road. Top-floor corner rooms give the best natural light without being directly facing the street.
Quietest floors
Upper floors (typically third and above) are quieter, as they’re further from street noise and lobby activity. Choose an even-numbered end room if possible.
🔊 Noise notes
Harar has early-morning call to prayer and lively evening street life. A room not facing the main road helps. Check if windows double-glaze—if not, pack earplugs.
Insider tips
1. Book directly with the hotel by phone or email after checking online rates—you can often negotiate a better price or a free upgrade in low season. 2. Ask for a room with a bathtub if available; three-star hotels in Ethiopia sometimes have them only in certain rooms.
- 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 — Tana Hotel
Free WiFi in lobby and rooms; bandwidth sufficient for email and browsing, 2 Mbps typical; login via room number and surname, no time limit
One lift serves all 3 floors—no stairs-only sections; staircase also available
Complimentary digital access to local Ethiopian newspapers via tablet in lobby; no physical papers delivered
14:00-23:00 (weekends 15:00-23:00); early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 14:00 for 200 ETB, subject to availability
Free storage at reception desk during stay; post-checkout storage 50 ETB per day
Step-free entrance via ramp at main door; lift access to all floors; no grab bars in standard bathrooms; wheelchair accessible room available on request
On-site free parking for 20 cars, first-come first-served; guarded overnight. Nearest public car park is the Harar City Parking Lot 500 m north, 80 ETB per 24 hours. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Harar has no city tax; 15% VAT included in room rate)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required for online bookings; at check-in a 500 ETB incidental hold on credit card or cash deposit
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Haji True Mosque (571 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Harer Silase Bete Kristiyan (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
United Bank (Aretegna Branch) — 524 m · ~7 min walk
Hammer Pharmacy — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Change US dollars or euros at Dashen Bank or Commercial Bank of Ethiopia branches in Harar; avoid airport and tourist bureau rates as they are poor.
Cards are rarely accepted outside big hotels in Harar; bring enough cash for the area.
Round up taxi fares by 5-10 birr; leave 10% at restaurants if a service charge isn't included (it usually isn't); tip hotel staff 20-50 birr for service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small cup of Ethiopian coffee from a street stall or local cafe, about 5-10 ETB.
Injera with shiro or a bean stew from a local eatery, around 30-50 ETB.
A main dish of tibs (fried meat) with injera, roughly 60-100 ETB at an ordinary restaurant.
The old town streets (especially near the main square) have stalls selling roasted meat, samosas, and fresh fruit for as little as 10-20 ETB.
Mega Mart and Yohannes Supermarket are common budget chains in the area.
Harar's main market (Mercato) near the bus station sells second-hand clothes and local fabrics at low prices.
Minibus taxis (blue and white) cost 5-10 ETB per ride within the old town; from the airport, a shared minibus into town is about 50 ETB per person.
Eat at local injera stalls rather than tourist restaurants; haggle respectfully at the market; take minibuses instead of taxis.
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 Tana Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · United Bank (Aretegna Branch) — 524 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Hammer Pharmacy — 1.4 km · ~17 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Tana Hotel?
Request a room at the far end of a corridor, away from stairwells and the lift. Top-floor rooms tend to be quieter and have less foot traffic overhead.
Which rooms should I avoid at Tana Hotel?
Avoid rooms next to the lift, ice machine, or cleaning cupboard—these see constant noise. Similarly, skip ground-floor rooms near the lobby or breakfast area for better sleep.
Is Tana Hotel noisy?
Harar has early-morning call to prayer and lively evening street life. A room not facing the main road helps. Check if windows double-glaze—if not, pack earplugs.
Which rooms have the best views at Tana Hotel?
A room at the back of the hotel usually offers a calmer outlook (often onto a courtyard or side street) rather than a main road. Top-floor corner rooms give the best natural light without being directly facing the street.
What are insider tips for staying at Tana Hotel?
1. Book directly with the hotel by phone or email after checking online rates—you can often negotiate a better price or a free upgrade in low season. 2. Ask for a room with a bathtub if available; three-star hotels in Ethiopia sometimes have them only in certain rooms.
What time is check-in at Tana Hotel?
Check-in at Tana Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Tana Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in lobby and rooms; bandwidth sufficient for email and browsing, 2 Mbps typical; login via room number and surname, no time limit
Is there a city or tourist tax at Tana Hotel?
None (Harar has no city tax; 15% VAT included in room rate)
Where can I eat cheaply near Tana Hotel?
Injera with shiro or a bean stew from a local eatery, around 30-50 ETB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Tana Hotel?
Minibus taxis (blue and white) cost 5-10 ETB per ride within the old town; from the airport, a shared minibus into town is about 50 ETB per person.
When is the best time to visit Harar?
October to March offers dry, cool days (20-25°C) and clear skies, perfect for exploring the old city on foot without oppressive heat or mud.
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.