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
Countries
The 10 Best Things to do in Lalibela, Amhara Region
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. 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!
2. Bilbala St. George Rock Hewn Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By Marikouette
It was fantastic to discover Lalibela with the help of Jack from Young Lalibela Trekking Association. The city and the mountains around are truly fantastic. And everything is easy with them.
3. 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.
4. Abune Yosef
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By L8499NP_
We were trekking Abuna Yosef with Tazeb for 3 days on January 20. Tazeb arranged everything perfectly and according to the schedule (very nice local family that hosts us @ nights, transpiration, food, cook, porter and a storage of bananas in is bag in case you need a boost of energy :). Tazeb is amazing person - hamble, honest, always smiling with good energy and willing to answer any question. He is highly familiar with the region, culture, local people, landscape and the animals along the trail. I Highly recommend to contact Tazeb via WhatsApp (+251 92 022 7325). He is very responsive and very good English speaker - you won't regret it!
5. 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.
6. The Fine Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By paskiala - Zaragoza, Spain
Tegegne, the artist and owner of the place is a very talented guy who is always willing to show you his work. He has plenty of very nice water paintings representing the life and surroundings of Lalibela. It really worths a visit!!!
7. 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..
8. Monastery of Na’akuto La’ab
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By 14richardi - Copenhagen, Denmark
We visited in the early morning whilst a mass was ongoing in memory of a recently deceased priest. The monastery church is built into a cave and the water seeoing down through the rocks is used a holy water. The setting is wonderful and the people were friendly and allowed us to visit during the mass.
9. Biete Medhane Alem
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By darbyoshaughnessy - Lake Village, United States
Biete Medhane Alem or House/Church of the Savior of the World is a huge pink stone structure that was built from the top down atop a rock cliff. The church is surrounded by tall rectangular pillars and has regular upper openings shaped like mushrooms and lower openings in the shape of a cross. All must remove their shoes before entering the carpet covered stone aisles. Inside on the left are three empty tombs, reminiscent of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. A priest inside explains the treasures, including beautiful if faded murals and carved columns. Inside is the Lalibela gold cross. It's a processional cross in that it can be fitted atop a pole and carried aloft, or it can be hand-held such that the priest can bless people with it. The lighting is such that it's difficult to take pictures because of the glare.
10. Tomb of Adam
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By guiaetiopia - Gijon, Spain
Very significant and symbolic ancient building carved out of single rock like many monolithic churches of Lalibela. Words can’t explain what is Lalibela’s rock hewn churches. They are one of the wonders of the world simply missed for bing in Africa especially in Ethiopia.
