Lalibela

Eleven medieval churches carved downward from solid rock, known as the "Jerusalem of Africa."

Lalibela lies in North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, in northern Ethiopia, in the Lasta Mountains at an elevation of about 2,600 m. In the 12th–13th centuries, King Lalibela of the Zagwe dynasty had 11 churches carved downward out of solid red volcanic tuff here, intending to build a "New Jerusalem." In 1978 it became one of the first World Heritage Sites, and it remains the most important pilgrimage site of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The churches are divided into the Northern Group (Biete Medhane Alem, Biete Maryam, Biete Golgotha-Mikael and others), the Southeastern Group (Biete Gabriel-Rufael, Biete Emmanuel, Biete Abba Libanos, Biete Mercurios) and the standalone Biete Giyorgis (Church of St. George). A single pass (about US$50 for foreigners, valid for several days) allows multiple entries, and we recommend hiring a licensed guide. In the surrounding area, you can hire a car to Yemrehanna Kristos cave church and Na'akuto La'ab Monastery, or hike to Asheton Maryam Monastery and Mount Abuna Yosef. The best season is the October–March dry season; Ethiopian Christmas on January 7 and Epiphany (Timkat) around January 19 are the peaks, when white-robed worshippers pray through the night, and accommodation must be booked months ahead; in the June–September rainy season the mountain roads are muddy. Getting there: fly from Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines for about 1 hour to Lalibela Airport, which is about 25 km from the town center. We suggest staying 2–3 days. Notes: there is a large temperature swing between morning and evening at this altitude; you must remove your shoes to enter the churches, so bring socks and a small flashlight; women are not allowed to enter some churches. The security situation in Amhara Region has been changeable in recent years, and flights and roads may be temporarily cut off, so be sure to check the latest safety advisories from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese embassy in Ethiopia before traveling.

Top sights

• Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela – Eleven churches carved downward into solid volcanic rock between the 12th and 13th centuries. Known as the 'New Jerusalem' of Africa, they…
• Bete Giyorgis (Church of St. George) – A freestanding cross-shaped church carved downward from the bedrock. Seen from above, it looks like a giant cross, and it is the most iconi…
• Bete Medhane Alem – The largest monolithic rock-cut church in the world. It is surrounded by 72 stone columns, and inside is the famous Lalibela Golden Cross.
• Yemrehanna Krestos Church – A Zagwe-era church built inside a large cave. Its walls alternate wood and stone in the Aksumite style and are well preserved. It may preda…
• Bete Maryam – The most elaborately decorated church in the Northern Group, with vivid ceiling murals and reliefs. It is considered one of Lalibela's earl…
• Bete Golgotha-Mikael – Two adjoining churches in the Northern Group. Legend says a king of Lalibela is buried here, and the walls bear life-size relief carvings o…
• Bete Amanuel – The most regularly shaped free-standing church in the southeast group, with clear Aksumite-style beam motifs. It is believed to have once b…
• Bete Abba Libanos – A semi-freestanding cave church whose roof remains joined to the cliff face. Legend says Queen Lalibela had it built overnight with the hel…
• Bete Gabriel-Rufael – A twin-church complex at the entrance to the southeast group, reached by a narrow bridge over a deep trench. Beside it is a pitch-black tun…
• Bete Merkorios – A cave church in the southeast group, converted from what was once a prison or workshop, with 15th-century paintings and a mural of the Thr…
• Asheton Maryam Monastery – An ancient cave monastery on the summit of Mount Asheton, east of Lalibela. Hiking up offers a panoramic view over the entire Lalibela plat…
• Na'akuto La'ab Monastery – A small monastery built into a shallow cave. 'Holy water' drips from the rock ceiling and is caught in stone bowls, and the monastery prese…
• Ben Abeba Restaurant – A spiral-shaped restaurant co-founded by a Scot and local partners, perched on a ridge. It is the top choice for watching the sunset in Lal…
• Mount Abuna Yosef – A peak of about 4,260 metres in northern Ethiopia, home to gelada baboons and Ethiopian wolves. It is a classic highland trekking destinati…

Where to eat

• Ben Abeba Restaurant – A spiral-shaped restaurant on a ridge with 360-degree views over the valley, blending Ethiopian and Scottish flavors an…
• Torpedo Tej Bet – Lalibela's most famous traditional honey wine (tej) bar, with azmari live music and Amhara shoulder dancing in the even…
• Unique Restaurant – A simple, affordable home-style restaurant with a plain storefront, known for warm hospitality and an authentic fasting…