Lalibela | Tra-vel

When to go

Postpone setting travel dates until official safety advice and actual accessibility have been checked again. Favourable weather alone does not mean a journey is possible or safe.

Things to see and do

Lalibela's main heritage consists of eleven rock-hewn churches with connecting passages. The best known include the cross-shaped Bete Giyorgis and Bete Medhane Alem; the complex remains an active pilgrimage site.

Practical tips

Observe local rules on clothing, behaviour and photography in the churches; you may be required to remove your shoes before entering. Ask those responsible which rooms and passages are accessible.

Getting there and getting around

Lalibela has an airport, but flight operations and transfers must be confirmed separately. Because of the regional situation, neither arrival by air nor by road should be regarded as assured.

Where to stay

The town has hotels and guesthouses. Check operation, available services and refund terms directly with the accommodation; a room offered online does not confirm that a trip is feasible.

What to try

Ethiopian cuisine includes injera, a fermented flatbread, and shiro, a thick dish made from ground pulses. The availability of fasting and meat dishes depends on the establishment and religious calendar.