AI generatedLalibela
Ethiopia · Amhara · 2500 m
Short description of Lalibela
Eleven churches were cut downward into the red volcanic rock of this hillside, freed from the ground on all four sides and joined by trenches and tunnels, and the stream that runs between the two groups was named the Jordan. A Zagwe king had them made as a new Jerusalem when pilgrimage to the old one had become impossible. They are not ruins and never have been. Priests in white shawls still serve them and the town fills with pilgrims at Christmas, which the Ethiopian calendar puts in January. Flights come in daily from the capital, which is how almost everyone arrives.
AI edited
Recommended length of stay
Minimum1 day
Optimal2 days
Maximum4 days
Travel seasons at a glance
Best time to visit: October – February
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
All highlights and sights
- Bete Giyorgis, the cross shaped church
- Bete Medhane Alem, the largest monolithic church
- Bete Maryam and its painted columns
- Bete Golgotha and the Selassie chapel
- Bete Amanuel in the southern group
- Bete Gabriel-Rufael above its trench
- Bete Abba Libanos cut from the cliff
- The twin chapels of Bete Maskal and Bete Denagel
- Bete Merkorios and its wall paintings
- The tunnels and trenches between the groups
- The Christmas vigil at Genna (January)
- The cave church of Yemrehanna Kristos(Day trip)
- The mule ride up to Asheton Maryam(Day trip)
- The cave monastery of Nakuto Laab(Day trip)
- The Saturday market
- The escarpment view at sunset
Ways to get there and away
- Airports nearby:
- LLI Lalibela Airport (Girany Amba) · 9.1 km southwest(recommended)
- MQX Mekele Alula Aba Nega Airport (Mekele) · 168 km north
- GDQ Gondar Airport (Azezo) · 183 km west