Things to Do in Lalibela Ethiopia
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: What to See
Lalibela’s eleven churches were cut down into pink volcanic rock in the 12th and 13th centuries. Priests and pilgrims still worship in them every day.
The churches
- Biete Giyorgis is the only church cut in the shape of a cross, and it stands apart from the rest.
- Biete Medhane Alem measures about 33.5 by 23.5 by 11.5 metres, has 34 outer and 38 inner columns, and keeps the 7 kg gold Lalibela Cross.
- Temporary metal roofs shelter several churches in the northern group.
- 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.
- Biete Golgotha is closed to women.
Outside town
- On a later visit, Na’akuto La’ab lies about 7 km out, Asheton Maryam is a walk or mule ride of about 2.5 hours, and Yemrehanna Kristos is about 42 km along a rough track, 1.5 to 2 hours by 4WD.
- Yemrehanna Kristos is not one of the eleven. It is a built Aksumite-style church inside a cave and pre-dates the Lalibela churches.
Safety
- 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.
- At roughly 2,500 metres, the altitude can cause headaches and tiredness, so rest early and keep drinking water.