Location: Lalibela
Top Things to do in Lalibela
Top Restaurants in Lalibela
- 1. Blue Lal Hotel Restaurant
- 2. Jerusalem Guest House
- 3. John Cafeteria & Lalibela Restaurant
- 4. Roha Hotel Restaurant
- 5. Seven Olives Hotel Restaurant
- 6. Unique Restaurant
- 7. Ben Abeba
- 8. Mountain View Hotel Bar & Restaurant
- 9. Maribela Hotel, Restaurant & Lounge
- 10. Old Abyssinia Lodge and Restaurant
The 9 Best Things to Do in Lalibela, Ethiopia
Lalibela (Amharic: ላሊበላ) is a town in Amhara Region, northern Ethiopia famous for monolithic rock-cut churches. The whole of Lalibela offers an exceptional testimony to the medieval and post-medieval civilization of Ethiopia. Lalibela is one of Ethiopia's holiest cities, second only to Aksum, and a center of pilgrimage. Unlike Aksum, the population of Lalibela is almost completely Ethiopian Orthodox Christian. Ethiopia was one of the earliest nations to adopt Christianity in the first half of the fourth century, and its historical roots date to the time of the Apostles. The churches themselves date from the seventh to thirteenth centuries, and are traditionally dated to the reign of the Zagwe dynasty king Gebre Mesqel Lalibela (r. ca. 1181–1221 AD).
Restaurants in Lalibela
1. Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
A labyrinth of tunnels with grottoes and galleries connects 11 impressive churches built under King Lalibela out of red volcanic rock.
Reviewed By Chrisbeeoxford - Oxford, United Kingdom
The eleven churches are in two campuses. The central campus is in my view the better of the two and includes the oldest and youngest churches. This does not mean that one should not see the other campus as it does have much to offer different from the city campus. I was brought to admire how King Lalibela harnessed religion and politics so deeply to rule his kingdom for 40 years without any issues.
There is so much to see and history to learn and marvel at that a short review cannot do the two campuses justice. The churches remain working churches and the objective for pilgrims. One is constantly aware of how religion has remained woven into Ethiopian society. The campus is a place of calm, of sanctity, and removed from materialistic life despite the tourist wandering in and out. The seamless structures are a marvel. The most perfect has to be the youngest of all the churches, St George and the most interesting (and oldest) St Mary's.
In the other campus one can experience Hell. In my view the best there are the semi-detached churches of Gabriel and Raphael.
I had never understood the idea of the New Jerusalem until I saw Lalibela.
2. Church of St. George
Overall Ratings
5 based on 161 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 Julie C - New York City, New York
The Church of Saint George has been something I have wanted to see for some time and it didn't disappoint.
An amazing feat to build/carve a church from a huge rock .
From above, the church looks big but once you enter it appears much smaller. Make sure you walk around to get a 360 degree look from above but take care the rock is slippery.
3. Yemrehanna Kristos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 194 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 LalibelaAdvisor - Lalibela, Ethiopia
Cave church decorated with paintings
This is a very beautiful cave church decorated with different old paintings, and there are still small diamonds hanging on the ceiling. Behind the church is found thousands of mummified human body’s, nobody knows who they are and where they come from.
Coming to this church hiking from Abune Yosef Massif, will make you feel you are a real explorer, like the Indiana jones.
Hiking to this church can be organized with Lalibela based tour operator Highland Eco Trekking Tours
4. Asheten Eco Trekking
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
Reviewed By therapina - Limassol, Cyprus
I've written my review of this attraction under Churches of Lalibela, but wanted to point out that in addition to the churches, Lalibela as a town is remarkable in itself, perched high on a mountain ridge with amazing views to further high mountain ranges and their Valleys below. We very much liked the town with its cobble stone streets (said to resemble honey combs), its choice of restaurants, its market, and its freedom for two ladies on their own to walk the streets without too much hassle from children and teenage boys. The atmosphere was enhanced by the number of weddings taking place with their singing and clapping and dancing, all trying to beat the deadline before lent (and a long period of fasting) started.
5. Asheton Maryam Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By Dan M - Brussels, Belgium
The place it self is very nice, and the monastery's construction amazing. Inside the church in the "European" sense does not seem interesting from architecture or decoration side. However, the monastery hides impressive icons, books etc, which the monks will be very pleased to show you. And this is fabulous.
6. Monastery of Na’akuto La’ab
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By Ingeborg56 - Oslo, Norway
Interesting, but this Place is not the Place you must visit in Lalibela region if you have Limited time. It reminded my husband and me about similar Places we have visited in other countries like Syria. I did not like that Our guide told us that we were not going to put Our offering into the Box, but to a Place for the monk to get it and that the guide told us to pay for a man for taking care of Our shoes. I thought that was strange since we had paid Our offerings inside.
7. Tomb of Adam
8. Abune Yosef
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Sarh325 - Birmingham, United Kingdom
Walking above Lalibela, in the Abune Yosef area was one of the highlights of my recent trip to Ethiopia - amazing scenery and an opportunity to walk through local villages, and see farming life up in the Highlands, and going with local guides adds to treking. I went with Highland Treking, who were really helpful prior to my arrival in Ethiopia, and on the trek, the guide, Tazeb, was really helpful, supportive and encouraging.. I don't think I would have got up Abune Yosef if it hadn't been for his encouragement! The food was amazing.. particularly as cooked on an open fire... the scenery was spectacular, and walking through villages and farmland gave a chance to see how local people lived.. with opportunities for lots of coffee and local beer. I thought the trek was good.. but after another experience in the Tigray area, with an individual guide, I would say the trek above Lalibela was excellent. My only comment is that the 4 day trek is a real challenge.. and it would help if the company provided more detailed info on the routes.. But highly recommended.
9. Bilbala St. George rock hewn church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
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