Family Friendly Activities Lalibela

Travel advisory, as of October 2026. Lalibela is in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, where the UK FCDO advises against all travel and the US government tells its citizens not to travel. Fighting has resumed across northern Ethiopia, flights to Lalibela have been suspended since 24 September 2026 with no restart date announced, and there is no safe overland route. Nothing described here can be booked now; this page describes the town for a future visit once advisories change. Read the FCDO advice and the US State Department before making any plans.

Lalibela with Children

Lalibela is demanding for small children, and no plan can be made at present. The deep trenches around churches such as Biete Giyorgis and Medhane Alem have drops of 10 to 12 metres with no rails. Thresholds are worn smooth and slippery. The dark tunnel is about 35 metres long, so a torch is essential.

On a later visit

• Leave your shoes at each church door and dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. Women should cover their heads. Speak quietly, ask before photographing anyone, switch off the flash, and keep your hands off the carvings.
• At roughly 2,500 metres, the altitude can cause headaches and tiredness, so rest early and keep drinking water.
• You walk between the churches along rock steps, trenches and paths. There is no vehicle link from one to the next.

There are no lakes, boat trips, pools or spas here. Stream water in the highlands can carry bilharzia, so do not swim or wade.