Rock Hewn Churches 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’s Rock-Hewn Churches

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. Tradition says King Lalibela built them as a new Jerusalem.

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.

Visiting

  • 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.
  • Reports put the churches ticket for foreign visitors at US$50 to US$100, so confirm the price on arrival.
  • 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.

Getting there

  • The town’s airport (LLI) exists, yet flights have been suspended since 24 September 2026.
  • The road from Addis Ababa is about 680 to 700 km. In peacetime that took 14 to 18 hours or more, split over two days, and overland travel is now against advice.

Eating and sleeping

  • Reported places to eat include Ben Abeba, a hilltop restaurant north of the town that reopened in December 2022, and a tej house called Torpido or Askalech Tej Bet, behind the police station. Neither has been confirmed as open today.
  • Mountain View Hotel, Roha Hotel, Mezena Lodge and Maribela Hotel have been listed on booking sites. At least 45 hotels closed in the 2024 slump, so no stay can be recommended or booked now.