Lalibela

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Top 10 attractions in Lalibela

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Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela
No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Ethiopia

Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela

4.6
4.9/5
43 reviews
Lalibela Rock Church was built around 1000 BC and is known as the "African Miracle". It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979. Legend has it that in the 12th century, the seventh king of Ethiopia, Lalibela, received an oracle in a dream: "Build a new city of Jerusalem in Ethiopia and ask to build a church with a single piece of rock". So Lalibela took 24 years to chisel 11 rock churches on the rock plateau at an altitude of 2,600 meters in northern Ethiopia according to the oracle. People call it Lalibela. Since then, Lalibela has become a famous place for Ethiopians. These churches sit in huge deep pits in the rock. The intricately carved churches resemble massive sculptures, hewn from solid rock like the temples of Ellora. Perhaps the most striking of the churches in Lalibela is the Church of Jesus Christ, which is 33 meters long, 23 meters wide and 11 meters high, with intricately carved cornices supported by 34 square columns.Lalibela · 527m from downtown
Bete Medhane Alem

Bete Medhane Alem

2
Lalibela · 1.1 km from downtown
Bete Amanuel

Bete Amanuel

1.9
Lalibela · 239m from downtown
Asheton St. Maryam Monastery | አሽተን ቅድስት ማርያም ገዳም

Asheton St. Maryam Monastery | አሽተን ቅድስት ማርያም ገዳም

1.9
North Wello · 3.1 km from Lalibela
Bete Abba Libanos

Bete Abba Libanos

1.8
Lalibela · 269m from downtown
Bete Maryam

Bete Maryam

1.8
North Wello · 548m from Lalibela
Tomb of Adam

Tomb of Adam

1.6
Lalibela · 581m from downtown
St. Neakuto Leab Monastery | ቅዱስ ነአኩቶ ለአብ ገዳም

St. Neakuto Leab Monastery | ቅዱስ ነአኩቶ ለአብ ገዳም

1.5
North Wello · 3.9 km from Lalibela
Beta Gabriel Raphael ቤተ ገብርኤል ወሩፋኤል

Beta Gabriel Raphael ቤተ ገብርኤል ወሩፋኤል

1.5
North Wello · 328m from Lalibela
Lalibela Museum

Lalibela Museum

1.4
North Wello · 613m from Lalibela

Traveler favorites curated for you

Great Rift Valley

Great Rift Valley

4.7
5.0/5
1 reviews
Ethiopia · Afar Zone 1
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Ethiopia: Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela (11 churches) + panoramic mountaintop monastery

Ethiopia: Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela (11 churches) + panoramic mountaintop monastery

Departs from Lalibela
Book now for tomorrowDuration: 6.8 hrsEnglish
From€85.97
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5D4N • 5 DAYS Lalibela, Axum, Tigray churches and Danakil

Level 2
5D4N • 5 DAYS Lalibela, Axum, Tigray churches and Danakil

3.4/5
7 reviews
EnglishPrivate Tours
From EUR 894
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5D4N • 5 Days North Ethiopia Tours

5D4N • 5 Days North Ethiopia Tours

5/5
5 reviews
EnglishNo mandatory shoppingGroup Tours
From EUR 1,246
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Experiences you can't miss in Lalibela

Featured Culture & history in Lalibela

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Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches – Half-Day Tour
󱌍

Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches – Half-Day Tour

Duration: 5 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
5% off
Limited-time sale
From€59.59€62.73
Lalibela: Torpido Tej House Nightlife Experience
󱌍

Lalibela: Torpido Tej House Nightlife Experience

Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
5% off
Limited-time sale
From€23.83€25.09
Lalibela Rock Churches Guided Tour
󱌍

Lalibela Rock Churches Guided Tour

5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 24–48 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
From€213.57
Lalibela: Gena Festival with Church Visits
󱌍

Lalibela: Gena Festival with Church Visits

Duration: 1 day
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From€95.35€100.37

More things to do

Private Tours in Lalibela

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Group Tours in Lalibela

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9D8N • 9-Day Ethiopia Danakil Depression, Lalibela & Omo Valley

9D8N • 9-Day Ethiopia Danakil Depression, Lalibela & Omo Valley

Max. 12 peopleEnglishNo mandatory shoppingGroup Tours
Discover cultural photography opportunities in Ethiopia · Explore the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and attend a morning mass · Explore the tribes of the Omo Valley
From EUR 1,882
3D2N • From Addis Ababa: 3-Day wonder of Lalibela churches Trips

3D2N • From Addis Ababa: 3-Day wonder of Lalibela churches Trips

Max. 12 peopleEnglishNo mandatory shoppingGroup Tours
Discover the rich history of Ethiopia on a guided tour of Addis Ababa · Enjoy a cultural dinner in Addis Ababa and learn about the local traditions · Explore the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site
From EUR 537
5D4N • 5-Day Danakil Depression & Lalibela UNESCO Heritage.

5D4N • 5-Day Danakil Depression & Lalibela UNESCO Heritage.

Max. 5 peopleEnglishNo mandatory shoppingMini Group
Explore the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and attend a morning mass · Visit 11 rock-hewn churches of Lalibela · Visit Dallol and Erta Ale Volcano
From EUR 1,165
10D9N • 10-Day: Bahir Dar, Gondar, Simien, Lalibela and Danakil trip

10D9N • 10-Day: Bahir Dar, Gondar, Simien, Lalibela and Danakil trip

Max. 15 peopleEnglishNo mandatory shoppingGroup Tours
Royal castles and churches in Gondar · Trek through the Simien Mountains and see the Gelada Baboon and vultures · Trek to Erta Ale Volcano and see the lava lake
From EUR 1,981
8D7N • From Addis Ababa: 8-Day Danakil Depression & Lalibela Tour

8D7N • From Addis Ababa: 8-Day Danakil Depression & Lalibela Tour

Max. 15 peopleEnglishNo mandatory shoppingGroup Tours
Discover the UNESCO-listed rock-hewn churches of Lalibela with a guide · Experience authentic Ethiopian culture and local hospitality on a guided tour · Explore the colorful hydrothermal fields of Dallol and the Danakil salt flats
From EUR 1,546
9D8N • 9-Day Historic Northern Ethiopia Tigray Cultural Journey

9D8N • 9-Day Historic Northern Ethiopia Tigray Cultural Journey

Max. 18 peopleEnglishNo mandatory shoppingGroup Tours
Discover the rich history and culture of Northern Ethiopia on a 9-day tour · Enjoy a scenic boat trip on Lake Tana and visit ancient island monasteries · Explore the Royal Enclosure in Gondar and the Blue Nile Falls in Bahir Dar
From EUR 1,915
3D2N • Visiting the wonders of Lalibela in Three (3) days and Two ( 2) nights

Level 43D2N • Visiting the wonders of Lalibela in Three (3) days and Two ( 2) nights

5/5
4 reviews
EnglishNo mandatory shoppingGroup Tours
From EUR 500
3D2N • 3-days Scheduled Lalibela Churches & Abune Yosef Trekking

3D2N • 3-days Scheduled Lalibela Churches & Abune Yosef Trekking

5/5
2 reviews
EnglishNo mandatory shoppingGroup Tours
From EUR 491
Lalibela Today's weatherMostly clear 6-24℃
Lalibela weather for the next 2 days11/3: 6-20℃, 11/4: 6-21℃

Free things to do in Lalibela

Blue Nile Falls

Blue Nile Falls

3.1
4.8/5
19 reviews
Ethiopia · West Gojam

What travelers say about Lalibela

user-avatar
Mamaru EndrisDecember 25, 2023
5.0
The 11 medieval monolithic cave churches of this 13th-century 'New Jerusalem' are situated in a mountainous region in the heart of Ethiopia near a traditional village with circular-shaped dwellings. Lalibela is a high place of Ethiopian Christianity, still today a place of pilmigrage and devotion.

Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela

Trip Moments in Lalibela

Lalibela, Ethiopia 🇪🇹 — A Journey into the Heart of Ancient History!

Lalibela, Ethiopia 🇪🇹 — A Journey into the Heart of Ancient History!

“Some places take you to another landscape.”@NOMADIC NOMAN · lalibela · 8 days ago
🇪🇹⛪ Lalibela: The City of Miraculous Rock-Hewn Churches, One of Ethiopia's Most Breathtaking Sites

🇪🇹⛪ Lalibela: The City of Miraculous Rock-Hewn Churches, One of Ethiopia's Most Breathtaking Sites

“When it comes to unique African destinations, Lalibela is a must-visit!”@Arach · lalibela · 8 days ago
🇪🇹 ETHIOPIA | A Land of Ancient Wonders

🇪🇹 ETHIOPIA | A Land of Ancient Wonders

“When thinking of African nations steeped in ancient history, striking architecture, and landscapes that break the continent's mold, Ethiopia is undoubtedly one of the most captivating destinations to explore.”@Arach · ethiopia · 23 days ago
Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches—An Awe-Inspiring Religious Wonder Tucked Away in Inland Ethiopia, Known as the "Jerusalem of Africa," Featuring All 11 Churches.

Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches—An Awe-Inspiring Religious Wonder Tucked Away in Inland Ethiopia, Known as the "Jerusalem of Africa," Featuring All 11 Churches.

“Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches—Ethiopia's hidden inland gem and an awe-inspiring religious wonder, often called the "Jerusalem of Africa." All 11 churches were carved downward from solid blocks of volcanic rock, showcasing architectural brilliance and profound devotion from a millennium ago.”@VisualStorytellingThroughPhotography · 拉利貝拉 · 26 days ago

Popular cities near Lalibela

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa

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