If you’ve driven past the National Palace lately, you’ve seen it. It looks like a giant, white wedding ring resting on the hillside, or maybe a spaceship that decided to park in Kirkos.
This is the Ethiopia Museum of Art and Science, and tucked inside is the Dome Theatre.
Since it opened, the museum has become the face of "New Addis"—a symbol of the digital future right in the heart of the historic city. But for a visitor, it can be a bit confusing. Is it a movie theater? A planetarium? And why does everyone keep warning you about the coffee?
I went deep into the details to separate the hype from the reality. Here is everything you need to know before you go.
What Actually Is It?
First, let’s clear up the biggest mix-up in Addis search results.
This is not "The Dome" nightclub near the Concorde Hotel. If you are looking for a party that starts at midnight and involves mirrored hallways and loud music, you are in the wrong place.
The Dome Theatre is a 24-meter-high, hemispherical cinema inside the Science Museum compound. Think of it as a planetarium on steroids. Instead of a flat screen at the front of the room, the screen is the ceiling. You lean back in a reclined chair, look up, and the movie wraps around you 360 degrees.
It’s currently the only place in East Africa where you can get this kind of "full-immersion" experience.
The Experience: "Insane" Visuals, Short Runtime
When you walk in, the first thing you notice is the scale. The room holds about 200 people, and the vibe is distinctively futuristic.
The projection technology is 4K HD, which is technical speak for "extremely crisp."3 Because the screen covers your entire field of vision, you don't just watch the movie; you feel like you are floating in it.
What’s playing?
Don't expect the latest Marvel movie. The theatre is strictly educational. The current feature is usually "Journey to Space" (or a similar nature/science documentary).
The Catch:
The runtime is short—usually about 20 to 24 minutes.
Some visitors feel a bit short-changed when the lights come up so quickly. It’s best to think of this not as a "movie night," but as a ride. You are paying for the sensation of flying through the cosmos, not for a two-hour plot.
The "Double Ticket" Trap (Read This First!)
This is where most visitors get stuck. Getting into the Dome is a two-step process, and if you aren’t ready, it can be frustrating.
- The Gate Fee: To enter the Science Museum compound (to see the gardens and the main exhibition hall), you pay an entrance fee. As of late 2025, this is 400 Birr for adults and 200 Birr for kids.
- The Dome Fee: That ticket does not get you into the theatre. You have to buy a separate add-on ticket for the show. This costs another 150 Birr (Adults) or 100 Birr (Kids).
The Bottom Line: A full trip for one adult costs 550 Birr.
Is it expensive? Compared to a 250 Birr ticket at Gast Cinema, yes.8 But you aren't paying for a movie; you are paying for access to one of the most unique buildings in Africa.
Insider Tips for a Smooth Visit
- The Coffee Crisis
The museum has a lovely spot called the Gara Cafe (sometimes called K Cafe). It looks sleek and elegant. But there is a weird quirk: They don’t serve hot coffee or tea.
In a country famous for its coffee ceremony, this is baffling. They mostly serve fries, soft drinks, and water.
Pro Tip: Get your macchiato at the Sheraton or a cafe in Kazanchis before you head in.
2. The 3-Hour Gap
The Dome runs on a strict schedule.
- Show 1: 3:00 PM
- Show 2: 6:00 PM
There are no trailers and no rolling admission. If you arrive at 3:15 PM, you’ve missed it. I recommend the 6:00 PM show. When you walk out afterward, the sun has usually set, and the "Ring of Wisdom" building is lit up—it’s the best photo op in the city.
3. Parking is Tricky
Parking at the museum itself is often restricted or full. However, the new Unity Parking complex nearby serves this area. Alternatively, save yourself the headache and take a Ride or Feres taxi to the gate on Menelik II Road
Verdict: Is it Worth It?
If you go expecting a full afternoon of Hollywood entertainment, you might leave annoyed by the price and the short runtime.
But if you go with the right mindset—to see the architecture, to let your kids run around the "Museum Garden," and to experience a few minutes of total awe inside the Dome—it is absolutely worth it. It’s clean, it’s safe, and it’s genuinely inspiring.
The Dome isn't just a theatre; it's a statement about where Ethiopia is going. And that is worth the price of admission.
Quick Facts Box
Location: Menelik II Road (near the Palace/Sheraton)
Showtimes: 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM Daily
Total Cost (Adult): ~550 Birr (400 Entry + 150 Movie)
Total Cost (Child): ~300 Birr (200 Entry + 100 Movie)
Best For: Families, Architecture Lovers, Science Geeks
Warning: No coffee inside! Bring cash for tickets.
