Top Things to do in Bahar Dar
Top 10 Things to do in Bahar Dar, Ethiopia
Discover the best top things to do in Bahar Dar, Ethiopia including BD Backpacker Tours, Azwa Mariam Monastery, Lake Tana, Blue Nile Falls, Monastery of Debre Mariam, Bahir Dar Market, Church of Debre Sina Maryam, CHE CHE Ido, Bona Fide Ethiopia Tours, St George Church.
Restaurants in Bahar Dar
1. BD Backpacker Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 62 reviews
We are a group of local residents from Bahir Dar who would like to offer you an unforgettable travel experience in Ethiopia. We have extensive knowledge of Ethiopia and can provide assistance and bookings for not only Bahir Dar, but for the rest of the country as well! We provide authentic service, detailed travel suggestions, and any assistance you may need in Ethiopia. We offer car, boat, and bike rentals. We can arrange airport pickup to hotel too. As we are based in Bahir Dar, we provide excursions and packages to Lake Tana and its monasteries, Blue Nile Falls, hiking in the nearby Mountains, Awra Amba community, and other tailor-made activities that you may want to experience in Ethiopia. Personalized recommendations for your upcoming trip to Bahir Dar and the rest of Ethiopia!
Reviewed By Xavi M
Nati runs a BD Backpackers Tours as well as Manuhie Backpackers Lodge (for my review staying there check my Manuhie Backpackers Lodge review).
I arranged two tours through Nati: 4 days hike in Simien Mountains and 4 days trip to Danakil.
The Tours arranged through Nati were great and at a competitive price when comparing other people doing the same tours.
The communication was always fluid and he was always helpful.
Notice that for the tours I arranged he did not own his own staff but rather contract the services via third parties, some of the main Operators in Ethiopia. This means you may end joining other people in the same tour (specially if you are a solo traveler). He already told me that, so no problem.
The services provided were good considering Ethiopian standards. However, I suffered the "farenji efect" from one of the partners (Farenji = white man, or rather White man from whom we will try to get as much money as posible). First day hiking in Simien Mountains, the guide trried to charge me the mules for the backpack / food when it was included in the price. Obviously he tried to cheat me as mules are always included in the price (as I had in written). Not Nati's fault, and as soon as I could contact him (I had a Ethio SIM card and I could whatsApp him) he fixed. So no blame on his side, but he should take actions against the partner who allowed this. This kind of scams are quite tipycal in Ethiopia, thus I don't think having join other tour could have avoid this or other try :-) So again, no Nati's fault.
Overall, great experience and I recommend his services.
2. Azwa Mariam Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Reviewed By janina776 - Somerset, United Kingdom
A calm, inspirational monastery in a beautiful setting. There were some wonderful wall decorations and ancient artifacts. We were shown around by a very helpful guide who obviously loved his work and was proud to show off the splendour of this monastery.
3. Lake Tana
Overall Ratings
4 based on 453 reviews
Reviewed By Brett M - Mansfield
So the good stuff first ; nice morning boat ride over to Zege
Peninsula, good walk from one monastery to the other, good bird life and we saw antelope and Hippo at the Underwhelming source of the Nile. BUT
The bad bit, our “authorised guide” started off by telling me what he expected as a tip ! this was before we had taken one step, You then spend more time walking past boring souvenir stalls than monasteries, Our guide actually berated us for not buying souvenirs off his friends and relations and started to get nasty about it. We left Disgusted, so be warned and be careful.
4. Blue Nile Falls
Overall Ratings
4 based on 379 reviews
Reviewed By Julie C - New York City, New York
We were there on market day and it was a truly wonderful sight. All the locals with their donkeys,sacks of goods, bundles on their heads and strapped to their backs all heading to market. Busy day .So much colour and movement. The falls were amazing from all angles . Traditional Ethiopian coffee was available at the falls so you couls sit back sipping coffee watching the water tumble over the rocks. Get closer and you get a bit wet.
5. Monastery of Debre Mariam
Overall Ratings
4 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By James H - Noosa Heads
I was expecting more and maybe it was this that affected my opinion of the monastery. Old - yes and from that perspective it is impressive but the building itself is not very special and in all honesty the paintings were not that impressive either.
I was disappointed but from other reviews most people weren't so I guess it's just me.
6. Bahir Dar Market
Overall Ratings
4 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By Robert937 - Rotterdam, The Netherlands
An average Amharic market with a limited variety of products mostly locally made as the Ethiopian economy is not open to foreign competition (hardly any imported items like chocolate). Very few quality handicraft products (suitable as souvenirs). Perhaps in the garments section there are some traditional clothes for sale that might be of interest.
Fresh vegetables and fruit are for me the main reason to visit this market. In the morning it is still reasonably clean, but after noon and early evening especially the middle section of the market becomes a mess. Too dark to see what you are buying anyway.
Make sure you know the price of goods, before you start bargaining.
7. Church of Debre Sina Maryam
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By AntarcticBound - Brisbane
After sailing across Lake Tana we arrived at Gorgora and found the lovely church of Debre Sina Maryam. It is a typical round church of the Ethiopian Orthodox style. Apparently it has very few tourists that visit it. It was built in 1608. The paintings and frescos in the church are very colourful and depict the usual orthodox beliefs. There are some unusual paintings done in a medieval style of Mary and Jesus which make this church particularly important in the area.
8. CHE CHE Ido
Overall Ratings
4 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By Terence B - East Sussex, United Kingdom
This is a fantastic bar just along the road for the WUDE coffee shop.
It opens every evening and has a stage with local musicians playing Ethiopian music with a joke de fiver that has to be seen to be believed. There is no entrance fee but donations to the musicians are appreciated and the bar has a wide range of drinks including Ethiopian beers....the St George's beer is good and around £1 a bottle.
The crowd is mainly younger Ethiopians who know how to party....dancing breaks out amongst the tables and if you are lucky (unlucky?) you may be invited onto the stage to shake your stuff!
A great evening's entertainment, fabulous friendly atmosphere. Recommended.
9. Bona Fide Ethiopia Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 39 reviews
Bona Fide Ethiopia Tours is based in bahir Dar at Avanti Blue Nile Resort, we are established reliable,independent and affordable tour and travel company in #Ethiopia. We meet and assist you right from your arrival or departure point hence convenience. We pride in renown customer always ensuring repeat customers
Reviewed By Clarzofia - Montreal, Canada
We were a group of 9 friends with limited time and budget to visit the North of Ethiopia and Teme designed an itinerary which fitted our needs, desires and interests perfectly! Thanks to him and his organization, we had an amazing trip filled with authenticity,...MoreDear Clara, We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts on your historical Tour experience. It's great to hear that you enjoyed and had real experience on the visit! Thanks for your feedback. With highest regards Managing Director Bona Fide Ethiopia Tours
10. St George Church
Overall Ratings
4 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Derettens - Tartu, Estonia
The quite impressive gateway on the northern side of the Georgis Square opens onto a distinctly unimpressive church and a sizeable complex of buildings.
A 16/17 Century two floor tower amongst the complex is probably the oldest building in the city, which dates from the same period. The church is of a much later date.
Access to the complex is available to men and women. The church however is not open for viewing by visitors.
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