Lalibela

The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, and what current travel advice says about getting there.

2 answers

The rock-cut church of Bete Giyorgis in Lalibela, a reddish stone block standing in a deep trench carved out of the hillside

Can you visit Lalibela right now?

No, not at the moment. As of 28 September 2026 there are reports of fighting near Lalibela, flights to the town were suspended on 24 September, the UK advises against all travel to Amhara region, and the US says do not travel there for any reason. Postpone rather than cancel, and see Ethiopian Orthodox church life in Addis Ababa in the meantime.

Updated Sept 2026 · 7 min

Worshippers, many wrapped in white shawls, on the steps of an Orthodox church in Addis Ababa, with embroidered ceremonial umbrellas

What to expect

Ethiopian Christmas (Genna): when is it and how is it celebrated?

Ethiopian Christmas, called Genna, is celebrated on 7 January (29 Tahsas in the Ethiopian calendar), the same day as other Orthodox churches that follow the Julian reckoning. The next Genna is Thursday 7 January 2027. For many Orthodox Christians it ends a roughly six-week fast, starts with an all-night church service on Christmas Eve and continues with a family feast of doro wat and injera. Lalibela, the famous Genna pilgrimage, is in Amhara, under UK all-travel and US Do Not Travel advice as of September 2026.

Updated Sept 2026 · 6 min

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