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.

This plan is for a future trip only, once advisories change. Do not plan or book it now.

3-Day Itinerary for Lalibela, Ethiopia

Day 1: Northern group

Visit Biete Medhane Alem, Biete Maryam, Biete Maskal, Biete Denagel and Biete Golgotha-Mikael. Women may not enter Biete Golgotha. Go slowly, because the town is at about 2,500 m.

Day 2: Eastern group and Biete Giyorgis

Visit Biete Amanuel, Biete Qirqos, Biete Abba Libanos, Biete Gabriel-Rufael and Biete Merkorios, then Biete Giyorgis. Carry a torch for the pitch-black tunnel of about 35 m.

Day 3: Na’akuto La’ab

Walk to Na’akuto La’ab, about 7 km from town, with a guide.

Conduct and safety

The churches are active, consecrated places of worship, not backdrops. Shoes come off at every church. Cover shoulders and knees, men wear long trousers, and women cover their heads. Keep quiet, do not touch the carvings, use no flash during prayer, and ask before any photo. Women may not enter Biete Golgotha.

Take care on site. Some quarry pits around churches such as Biete Giyorgis and Biete Medhane Alem are 10 to 12 m deep and unguarded, thresholds are polished and slippery, and the tunnel between churches is about 35 m long and pitch black, so carry a torch. The town sits at about 2,500 m, so go slowly on the first day.