Merkato (or Mercato) market in Addis Ababa is the biggest outdoor market in the whole of Africa.
What unique of Merkato is one can get almost everything from small locally known herbs to latest fancy electronic devices.
The most interesting parts of Merkato to visit and experience the reak local life are the Spice Market, Enset (False Banana tree) whose roots are used to make bread, colorful hand woven baskets market, second hand items market and the recycling section.
Another reason? You can meet and interact with people from more than 80 different ethnic (linguistic) groups of Ethiopia.
Merkato is closed on Sundays and bargaining for price is the order of the game here.