City: Amhara Region
Top Things to do in Amhara Region
10 Things to do in Amhara Region That You Shouldn't Miss
Amhara (Amharic: አማራ) is one of the nine ethnic divisions (kililoch) of Ethiopia, containing the homeland of the Amhara people. Previously known as Region 3, its capital is Bahir Dar. Ethiopia's largest inland body of water, Lake Tana, which is the source of the Blue Nile river, is located within Amhara. The region also contains the Semien Mountains National Park, which includes Ras Dashan, the highest point in Ethiopia. Amhara is bordered by the state of Sudan to the west and northwest, and in other directions by other regions of Ethiopia: Tigray to the north, Afar to the east, Benishangul-Gumuz to the west and southwest, and Oromia to the south.
Restaurants in Amhara Region
1. Simien Mountains National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,539 reviews
Simien Mountains National Park, in northern Ethiopia is a spectacular landscape, where massive erosion over millions of years has created jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices dropping some 1,500 m. The park is of global significance for biodiversity conservation because it is home to globally threatened species, including the iconic Walia ibex, a wild mountain goat found nowhere else in the world, the Gelada baboon and the Ethiopian wolf.
Reviewed By RudiRoo4 - Cape Town, South Africa
We did a 3 day trek in the Simien mountains organised by a wonderful tour agent called Mensur. The trek was spectacular with views around every corner of every day. I highly recommend going to the Simien mountains even if you can only do 2 days. Included in the trek is a transfer from Gondar to the start and back afterwards, well organised tents, sleeping bags, mattresses already set up on arrival at camp, delicious food and plenty of water, very knowledgeable trek guide and prerequisite scouts. We met a group who tried to go without a tour company as this is advertised as possible on a noticeboard outside the simien mountains tourist info centre in Debark, but getting transport to the start and someone to transfer your bags between campsites was incredibly difficult without speaking the local language so they resorted to paying a tour agency. I highly recommend our tour agent Mensur. He was always only a whatsapp msg away to answer all our questions including whether transferring vehicles in a small village was correct. The amazing signal and data connectivity all over the country (even in the Simien mountains) with a local ethio telecom simcard helped ease our travels by being able to contact Mensur all along out trip. He also arranged a very good price for us because we booked both 3days Simien and 3days Danakil tour through him, so he transferred us via Aksum and Tigray for free, where we explored the sites briefly over the two days of traveling. Great deal and friendly, helpful, trustworthy agent! You can contact him as follows Email address:- [email protected] WhatsApp number:- +251975156015
2. Church of St. George
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 387 reviews
the church of st George is a brilliant feats of engineering and architecture and are often referred as the "Eighth wonder of the world".
Reviewed By frankj614 - Columbus, United States
Because it stands alone, because you can see the entire top, because of its iconic shape...all those reasons, and more, make St. George the must-see of Lalibela's rock churches. Of course, they are all must-sees, but this one is the best!
3. Lions Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
Lions Art Gallery (LAG) is located 450 meters from St.George church (round about) in Bahir Dar at the city Centre , infront of Melat Café , At Wakanda Coffee. First Floor .
Reviewed By 457fritzr
when it comes to young art in ethiopia this place is an absolute must! mengistu, a young talented artist from bahir, shows some of his breathtaking pictures in this friendly cafe. the artist is often on site and explains his art to interested people. His art is in demand internationally and is very open. a cafe with him brings inspiring talks! he also did great job painting!
4. Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,857 reviews
A labyrinth of tunnels with grottoes and galleries connects 11 impressive churches built under King Lalibela out of red volcanic rock.
Reviewed By greatlalibelatours - Lalibela, Ethiopia
Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela The 11 medieval monolithic cave churches of this 13th-century 'New Jerusalem' are situated in a mountainous region in the heart of Ethiopia near a traditional village with circular-shaped dwellings. Lalibela is a high place of Ethiopian Christianity, still today a place of pilmigrage and devotion.
5. Fasil Ghebbi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 421 reviews
A royal fortress-city dating back to the 16th-17th centuries demonstrates Hindu, Arabic and baroque influences.
Reviewed By Abu_Firas_11 - Doha, Qatar
The main highlight in Gondar. A cluster of 6 castles, library, Royal Thermal Bath and Lion cages. The biggest castle for Emperor Fasiledes 1632-1667. Next castle for his son, and the third for his grand son. A great Archive building used to be a library. The castles were constructed almost 400 years ago in a strategic location, surrounded by mountains with tower guards, a hilly area so free from malaria. A must visit place.
6. Lake Tana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 573 reviews
Reviewed By fafabougn - Aywaille, Belgium
Birhanu is THE BEST !!! For many years, he has been organizing boat tours with us , for me and my friends, also good for children and teenagers ! He is a very safe boat driver, the boats are in excellent condition, he is attentionate, careful, very reliable and he takes a lot of time to to allow you to do birdwatching, hippos watching, on the way to the different islands and monastries. His excursions are a fantastic break during your journey to Ethiopia, a wonderful peaceful time on the lake ... amongst tankwas ( papyrus boats) and fishermen , in a so beautiful nature ... Birhanu is a very good birds specialist, he always has his birds books on board and can show you which birds you just discover ...He knows where to find birds, hippos, huge lizards , pelicans and much more, his english is good ... His boat place is in shumeabo park, neat Tana Hotel, everyone knows the place ! Just go for Birhanu !
7. Asheton Maryam Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By snowythepyro - London, United Kingdom
We set off from our hotel really early, so as not to be hiking in the middle of the day. Wandering along the road, we passed many children working in the fields, and there were fantastic views all around. About 30 minutes from the monastery, we reached the paying point to get into the monastery. A steep 350 Birr each, the price is set by the Diocese, and that's about £10 per head. You certainly don't see a St Paul's Cathedral-worth for your 350 Birr (and as our guide book warned that the priests may ask for more to open up the church, we didn't - in any case we were 'churched out' after seeing all the rock-hewn churches the previous day). However, the views are stunning and this is well worth the climb out of Lalibela.
8. Debre Berhan Selassie Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 410 reviews
Reviewed By SueKot - London, United Kingdom
This was one of the most delightful churches we visited in Ethiopia. The church is still in use and monks are often present in their yellow garb. It stands in its own enclosure surrounded by a wall with twelve small towers. Trees provide shade. The church is notable for seven ostrich eggs on a medallion which is on the roof. Women and men enter from separate entrances for prayer. The interior is its glory. Wall paintings cover every inch. The date for these is debated but this is not really an issue. There is an excellent St. George and the dragon but my particular favourite was a squat Devil. Other murals depict the life of Christ. The ceiling is bright with angels. Of course flash photography is forbidden.
9. Yemrehana Krestos Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 265 reviews
The church of Yemrehanna Kristos is one of Ethiopia's best-preserved late Axumite churches, and is named for a twelfth-century Zagwe priest-king and saint. The church is located inside a large natural cavern on a hill in northern Ethiopia, set in a spectacular landscape of juniper trees, predating the famous nearby rock-hewn churches of Lalibela by almost a century.
Reviewed By ClaudiaYacura - San Vito al Tagliamento, Italy
I visited this Monastery accompanied by Bekire (+251 92 018 3099) who organized my stay in Lalibela. This monastery is worth to be visited..
10. Azwa Mariam Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Reviewed By ameliam86 - Cancun, Mexico
We took a boat to explore lake Tana and visiting the old monastery situated in an island. The monastery has noons a monks and many antique books. We also visit the old church with very interesting religious paintings and saints from Ethiopia.
