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Lake Bishoftu, Debre Zeit
Lake Bishoftu, Debre Zeit · mjr74, CC BY-SA 3.0
Bishoftu Lake (11368822925)
Bishoftu Lake (11368822925) · David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada, CC BY 2.0
Lake Bishoftu 20250731 141517
Lake Bishoftu 20250731 141517 · Gyrofrog, CC BY-SA 4.0
Bishoftu Lake, Ethiopia (51645012468)
Bishoftu Lake, Ethiopia (51645012468) · Nina R from Africa, CC BY 2.0
Bishoftu Lake, Ethiopia (51645011113)
Bishoftu Lake, Ethiopia (51645011113) · Nina R from Africa, CC BY 2.0
Bishoftu Lake, Ethiopia (51645619895)
Bishoftu Lake, Ethiopia (51645619895) · Nina R from Africa, CC BY 2.0

Bishoftu, Ethiopia

ደብረ ዘይት

Bishoftu is a town of 207,400 people in Oromiya, Ethiopia.

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Population207,400 GeoNames
Local nameደብረ ዘይት
RegionOromiya
Elevation1,920 m 6,299 ft
Time zoneAfrica/Addis Ababa
Land area140.0 km²
Nearest airportAddis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) 32 km

Why visit Bishoftu

Townapedia lists 3 museums and landmarks, 9 parks and trails, 15 places to eat, 42 places to stay and 1 attraction in and around town.

About Bishoftu

Bishoftu (Oromo: Bishooftuu; Amharic: ቢሾፍቱ), formerly Debre Zeyit (Amharic: ደብረ ዘይት) is a city in central Ethiopia. Located in central Oromia Region, it sits at an elevation of 1,920 metres (6,300 ft). Its name derives from the Bible and refers to a location east of Jerusalem's Old City separated by the Kidron Valley. The city serves as the primary airbase of the Ethiopian Air Force.

From the Wikipedia article Bishoftu (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Travel tips from other travellers: Bishoftu on Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Things to do1

Debrezeyt Full Gospel Church (No. 5)

Scenic view · 3.2 km

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Museums and landmarks3

Babogaya Youth recreation No. 1

Monument and historic site · 4.2 km

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dukem radar hotel

Monument and historic site · 8.4 km

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Lake Cheleleka

Monument and historic site · 1.8 km

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Parks, trails and playgrounds9

Harer ber youth center

Park · 2.4 km

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Bishofitu Stadium

Sports field and stadium · 1.1 km

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Dilbi recreation center

Park

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Eyasu Meda

Playground · 1.7 km

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kuriftu

Park · 1.1 km

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R

Park · 4.6 km

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st.george

Playground · 3.0 km

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youth center

Park · 2.4 km

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youth recrational area

Park · 1.2 km

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Restaurants and cafes15

Pyramid Paradise Hotel

Restaurant · 2.5 km

1271

Open in Google Maps · +251 (0) 11 433 14 06

Akko coffee

Cafe · Coffee Shop · 4.2 km

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Kana Bar and Grill

Restaurant · Barbecue, Ethiopian · 0.9 km

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Airforce Officer's Club

Restaurant · 2.4 km

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Ayo Bakery

Bakery · 9.3 km

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Hiba Bakery

Bakery · 1.0 km

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Hirna

Restaurant · 1.2 km

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John

Restaurant · 1.7 km

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Kaldi's Coffee

Cafe · 2.0 km

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Tej Bet

Bar and pub · 1.6 km

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Tikur Abay Bar and Restaurant

Bar and pub · 0.7 km

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Tsehay Zemedagegnehu

Restaurant · 0.8 km

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3 more on the map.

History

Bishoftu, as a definite entity, did not come into existence until after the Second World War. Accounts of earlier travelers call the region "Adda", although one Swedish memoir from 1935 mentions a village named "Bishoftu". At about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi; 0.54 nmi) from Adda, on land that had been owned partly by Emperor Haile Selassie I, the Italians started Azienda Agraria di Biscioftu dell'Opera Nazionale per i Combattenti on 15,000 hectares, intending to create a center of colonization as well as an experimental agricultural station. The first foundation stone for the houses was laid 9 December 1937, but only 21 dwellings were ready by May 1938. Various administrative and service buildings were also built.

From the History section of Bishoftu on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to stay42

Churches and places of worship11

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Shopping2

Gas and EV charging3

Schools, colleges and libraries7

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Healthcare15

Map of Bishoftu

108 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Getting there and nearby towns

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 32 km away.

  • Mojo 24 km southeast, about 24 min by car
  • Nazrēt 39 km southeast, about 39 min by car
  • Addis Ababa 40 km northwest, about 40 min by car
  • Dēra 42 km south, about 42 min by car
  • Wonji 42 km southeast, about 42 min by car
  • Sebeta 44 km northwest, about 44 min by car
  • Sendafa 45 km north, about 45 min by car
  • Burayu 47 km northwest, about 47 min by car
  • Wenjī 47 km southeast, about 47 min by car
  • Welench’ītī 51 km east, about 51 min by car

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

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Page built November 4, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.