| Town: | Lalibela |
| Location: | Africa > Ethiopia |
What’s Plugged?
Reviews & Amenities
Top Descriptions
| Most who are in the know about Ethiopia have certainly heard of Lalibela, but not everyone that’s visited the country has been there. This isn’t just because of its very isolated location (although thanks to Ethiopian Airways it’s easy enough to get there nowadays) but more to do with the pomposity and greed of the church that currently bleeds the town. While the rock-hewn churches are indeed a wonder to behold, they are by no means comparable to the necropolis of Petra in Jordan as many locals have been sold. True, the recent steep price hike can’t really be justified, but that alone probably shouldn’t stop you from visiting – the whole of Ethiopia’s not as affordable for the intrepid traveller as it really should be. Nevertheless, there is a reason that people have been drawn here for centuries and it’s in the surrounding countryside. It is, quite simply, gorgeous, and makes for some great unguided hiking if you have the muster. Just don’t expect to return to a well-facilitated, good value or even particularly friendly town after a long day’s hike. – Daniel |
| If you’ve written a description for Lalibela you’d like to share with the community, send it to [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
Top Tips
| While the rock-hewn churches are certainly the main drawcard here, they’re not the only reason to come to Lalibela. The region itself is beautiful and quite pleasant for exploration. |
| Expect prices in Lalibela to be higher than in other parts of Ethiopia, especially the entrance fees to local sights. |
| Watch out for young local boys trying to befriend you. They seem to have made a business out of requesting money via email to tourists who have returned home. |
| If you have a tip about Lalibela and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
The Town
What should we know?
| Name in local script: | ላሊበላ |
| Also known as: | Add Data |
| Tour operator(s): | Add Data |
| Rental operator(s): | Add Data |
| Port(s): | Lalibela Airport |
| Station(s): | Add Data |
| Terminal(s): | Add Data |
| Environment type: | hill, mountain, pasture, rock |
| Location type: | town, rural, village |
| Religion type: | Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity |
What can we see or do there?
| Events: | Add Data |
| Services: | Add Data |
| Shops: | Sisay Supermarket |
| Animals: | donkeys, goats |
| Birds: | vultures |
How much will it cost us?
| Currency: | Ethiopian Birr (ETB) |
| Average daily budget: | ETB750 |
When should we go there, and for how long?
| Average time taken: | 5 nights |
| High season: | September to January |
| Low season: | Add Data |
How can we get in contact?
| Language(s): | Amharic, English |
| Timezone: | UTC+03:00 |
| Country calling code: | 251 |
What are the numbers and averages?
| Number of attractions visited: | 6 |
| Travel time to attractions: | 30 minutes |
| Travel time to next location: | 10 hours |
| Size: | Add Data |
| Altitude: | 2,600m |
What else would be good to know?
| Wikipedia: | Lalibela |
| Wikitravel: | Lalibela |
| Tripadvisor: | Add Data |
| Local tourism: | Add Data |
| Emergency service(s): | Add Data |
| Travel advisories: | UK Government |
| Healthcare: | Add Data |
| Weather: | AccuWeather |
| News: | Add Data |
| Public holidays: | Add Data |
Local Availability
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Beer (multinational) | 500ml | ETB20 |
| Beer (national) | 500ml | Add Data |
| Fizzy drink | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Fruit juice | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Gin (multinational) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Gin (national) | 1 litre | ETB75 |
| Milk | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Oil | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Rum (multinational) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Rum (national) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Vodka (multinational) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Vodka (national) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Water | 1 litre | ETB10 |
| Whisky (multinational) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Whisky (national) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Wine | 1 bottle | ETB185 |
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Almonds | 100g | Add Data |
| Apples | 1kg | Add Data |
| Bananas | 1kg | ETB13 |
| Bell pepper | 1kg | Add Data |
| Bread | 1 loaf | Add Data |
| Carrots | 1kg | Add Data |
| Chillies | 1kg | Add Data |
| Chocolate (multinational) | 1 bar | Add Data |
| Chocolate (national) | 1 bar | ETB6 |
| Coconut milk | 1 can | Add Data |
| Cucumber | 1kg | Add Data |
| Eggs | 1 dozen | Add Data |
| Garlic | 1kg | Add Data |
| Ginger | 1kg | Add Data |
| Honey | 1 jar | Add Data |
| Ice cream | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Jam | 1 jar | ETB60 |
| Onions | 1kg | Add Data |
| Oranges | 1kg | ETB20 |
| Pasta | 1kg | ETB40 |
| Peanut butter | 1 jar | ETB35 |
| Peanuts | 100g | Add Data |
| Potatoes | 1kg | Add Data |
| Raisins | 100g | ETB20 |
| Rice | 1kg | ETB20 |
| Sandwich | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Tomatoes | 1kg | ETB70 |
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Antifungal shampoo | 1 bottle | ETB100 |
| Conditioner | 1 bottle | ETB50 |
| Condoms | 1 pack | ETB4 |
| Deodorant | 1 can | ETB110 |
| Floss | 1 pack | Add Data |
| Hand sanitizer | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Laundry soap | 1 bar | ETB20 |
| Razors | 1 pack | Add Data |
| Sanitary towels | 1 pack | Add Data |
| Shampoo | 1 bottle | ETB50 |
| Soap | 1 bar | ETB20 |
| Tampons | 1 box | Add Data |
| Toilet roll | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Toothpaste | 1 tube | ETB35 |
| Washing powder | 1 box | ETB50 |
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Antiseptic cream | 1 tube | Add Data |
| Bandages | 1 pack | ETB15 |
| Chapstick | 1 unit | ETB50 |
| Contact lens solution | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Headache tablets | 1 pack | ETB7 |
| Ibuprofen | 1 pack | ETB45 |
| Mosquito repellent | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Nail clippers | 1 set | Add Data |
| Plasters | 1 pack | ETB15 |
| Sun cream | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Sunglasses | 1 pair | Add Data |
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Batteries | 4-pack | Add Data |
| Chilli powder | 100g | Add Data |
| Cigarettes (multinational) | 20-pack | Add Data |
| Cigarettes (national) | 20-pack | Add Data |
| Coriander | 100g | Add Data |
| Cumin | 100g | Add Data |
| Fuel | 1 litre | ETB15 |
| Internet | 1 hour | ETB15 |
| Lighter | 1 unit | ETB10 |
| Matches | 1 pack | ETB1 |
| Paprika | 100g | Add Data |
| Travel multiadapter | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Travel plug | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Turmeric | 100g | Add Data |
| Stock | 1 pack | Add Data |
Local Cuisine
| Dish | Average Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Beyaynetu (fasting food) | ETB85 | |
| Breakfast (continental) | ETB50 | |
| Breakfast (cooked) | ETB150 | |
| Burger | ETB68 | |
| Carbonara | ETB86 | |
| Cereal | ETB55 | |
| Cutlet (beef/chicken) | ETB110 | |
| Cutlet (fish) | ETB78 | |
| Doro wat | ETB100 | |
| Eggs (how you like) | ETB47 | |
| Fajitas (meat) | ETB115 | |
| Fajitas (vegeteble) | ETB100 | |
| French fries | ETB46 | |
| Fruit salad | ETB43 | |
| Goulash (beef) | ETB115 | |
| Grilled (fish) | ETB115 |
| Dish | Average Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Injera firfir | ETB45 | |
| Key wat | ETB67 | |
| Kitfo | ETB88 | |
| Lasagna | ETB105 | |
| Meat balls | ETB130 | |
| Pancake (simple) | ETB39 | |
| Pasta (meat) | ETB69 | |
| Pasta (vegetable) | ETB58 | |
| Pizza (loaded) | ETB150 | |
| Pizza (simple) | ETB118 |
| Dish | Average Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Porridge | ETB58 | |
| Ravioli (meat) | ETB105 | |
| Ravioli (vegetable) | ETB92 | |
| Rice (meat) | ETB63 | |
| Rice (vegetable) | ETB54 | |
| Roasted (chicken) | ETB118 | |
| Roasted (lamb) | ETB133 | |
| Salad | ETB56 | |
| Salad (meat) | ETB71 | |
| Sandwich | ETB69 | |
| Shiro | ETB45 | |
| Shiro bozena | ETB58 | |
| Shiro tegamino | ETB58 | |
| Soup (meat) | ETB48 | |
| Soup (vegetarian) | ETB54 | |
| Steak | ETB84 | |
| Stroganoff (meat) | ETB116 | |
| Tibs | ETB83 |
| Beverage | Average Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Beer (national) | ETB22 | |
| Coffee | ETB13 | |
| Fruit juice (fresh) | ETB32 | |
| Gin (bottle) | ETB190 | |
| Gin (shot) | ETB40 | |
| Hot chocolate | ETB30 | |
| Milk | ETB19 | |
| Ouzo (shot) | ETB17 | |
| Soft drink | ETB16 | |
| Tea | ETB13 | |
| Vodka (bottle) | ETB280 | |
| Vodka (shot) | ETB40 | |
| Water (2L) | ETB21 | |
| Whisky (bottle) | ETB390 | |
| Whisky (shot) | ETB47 | |
| Wine (bottle) | ETB361 | |
| Wine (Ethiopian Honey) | ETB48 |
Lalibela Forum
Please use this forum to tell us about any new or out-of-date information about Lalibela or to ask or answer any questions specific to this page. Or join our World Forum for more general information.
