No. As of 28 September 2026, now is not the time to go to Lalibela. Flights are suspended, there are reports of fighting near the town, and the UK, US and Canadian governments all advise against travel to Amhara region. That isn't a judgement on the town or its people; it's where the official advice and this week's news reports point.

What is happening around Lalibela?

Fighting between Tigrayan forces and the Ethiopian federal army escalated in the week of 22 September 2026, with Tigrayan forces and their allies launching attacks into neighbouring Afar and Amhara. Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire in Tigray on 22–23 September (sources differ by a day) after Tigrayan forces took control of airports there, according to Reuters and Addis Fortune.

On Thursday 24 September, flights to Lalibela were also suspended because of fighting close to the town, Reuters reported, citing diplomats and residents. The US Embassy said the next day that it was aware of reports of active fighting near Lalibela and had no information on when flights would resume. Both sides have made casualty claims that news agencies say they can't verify, so we aren't repeating them.

On 27 September, Ethiopia Observer, citing Israeli media, reported that around 20 Israelis were stuck in Lalibela. They described the town itself as relatively calm but said gunfire and explosions could be heard from the outskirts, roads to Addis Ababa were closed and electricity had been cut. We can't confirm conditions on the ground ourselves, which is exactly why a visit makes no sense right now.

What do the UK, US and Canadian governments say?

• UK (FCDO, updated 25 September 2026): advises against all travel to the whole of Amhara region. It warns that flights across northern Ethiopia can be suspended or cancelled at short notice, and that British Embassy staff can't give in-person support in areas where the FCDO advises against travel.
• US (State Department): Ethiopia overall is Level 3, Reconsider Travel (advisory of 27 August 2026), with Amhara at Do Not Travel. The US Embassy alert of 25 September 2026 adds that US citizens already in Amhara, Tigray or Afar should leave if it's safe to do so, or shelter in place.
• Canada (updated 24 September 2026): avoid all travel to Afar, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz and Tigray. It notes that clashes in Amhara happen in and around cities, towns and airports.

Check with your travel insurer before you book or change anything in the north, and ask in writing whether your policy covers areas under official 'all travel' advice.

What is Lalibela, and why is it worth waiting for?

Lalibela is a town in the highlands of Amhara region. It's famous for eleven medieval churches carved down into solid rock rather than built up from the ground, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. UNESCO links them to King Lalibela, who is said to have wanted a 'New Jerusalem' at a time when pilgrimage to the Holy Land had become dangerous.

The churches sit in two main clusters, plus the cross-shaped Bete Giyorgis (St George), which stands apart in its own pit. They aren't a museum: UNESCO notes they're still a place of pilgrimage, with services and feast-day celebrations continuing today.

This isn't the first disruption. In August 2023, during clashes in Amhara, Ethiopian Airlines cancelled flights to Lalibela, Gondar, Bahir Dar, Dessie and Kombolcha for three days before restarting. The churches have waited out hard times before, and they'll still be there when it's sensible to go.

What can you do instead right now?

If your trip is booked and Lalibela was the highlight, you can still get a feel for Ethiopian Orthodox faith and history without going north:

• Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa. One of the city's great churches, and a good place to see Orthodox worship, especially on a Sunday morning.
• The National Museum. A good introduction to Ethiopian history; our Lucy guide explains how to visit.
• Timkat in Addis Ababa. If you'd planned January in Lalibela, Timkat is celebrated in Addis too and needs no flight north. The UK flags big religious gatherings for extra caution, so follow local instructions.
• Bishoftu's crater lakes. South-east of Addis along the expressway. The UK exempts a corridor between Addis and Bishoftu from its warnings, and the US exempts Bishoftu from its Oromia Do Not Travel advice.
• Hawassa. A lake city further south. The UK exempts the main road there, but the US lists Oromia zones the road passes through as Do Not Travel, We drive the Hawassa road regularly; our Hawassa guide has the details.

Already booked a Lalibela flight or hotel?

1. Contact the airline first. Flights are suspended, so ask Ethiopian Airlines or your agent about rebooking or a refund. As of 28 September no restart date had been announced.
2. Talk to your hotel or guide. Ask whether they can move your booking to a later date rather than cancelling outright.
3. Tell your insurer. Get their position in writing before you change or cancel anything, so you know what they'll cover.
4. Don't try to go by road. Roads from Lalibela towards Addis were reported closed on 27 September, and the UK warns of armed attacks on vehicles on the main Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar road.

What should you watch before rebooking Lalibela?

• The UK FCDO page for Ethiopia: check the 'updated' date and whether Amhara is still under 'all travel' advice.
• US Embassy alerts and the State Department advisory for Amhara.
• Ethiopian Airlines flying to Lalibela again, steadily, for a while.
• Phone and internet working normally in the region; cuts often come with unrest.
• Your insurer confirming in writing that the trip is covered.

We're a family-run driver service in Addis Ababa, not a tour company or a security authority, and we only drive to places where travel is advised. We'll update this page as soon as the official picture changes.