Rock-Hewn Churches

Lalibela's Rock-Hewn Churches are remarkable for three main reasons: because many are not carved into the rock, but freed entirely from it (unlike most of Petra); because the buildings are so refined; and because there are so many within such a small area.

The ticket office (;08:00-noon & 14:00-17:00) lies beside the path leading to the northern group of churches and Bet Medhane Alem. Tickets give access to all churches in town for the duration of your stay. Don't forget to bring your torch!

Although time has treated the churches with remarkably gentle gloves, Unesco has built rather hideous scaffolding and roofing over most churches to protect frescoes from water seepage. They shouldn't take away from your enjoyment, but they do make photography more challenging.

Although visiting without a guide is possible - getting lost in the warren of tunnels is quite memorable and usually not permanent - you'll miss out on many of the amazing subtleties each church has to offer. We'd recommend going once with a guide and once solo, in whichever order you so choose. Local licensed guides can be arranged at the tourism office for a set fee of around Br150 per day (around Br200 for groups of five or more). However, during slow times licensed guides on the street (always ask to see their license) will occasionally drop their fees.

Note that camera flashes inside churches cause great damage to the murals and frescoes, so please resist using one. Many priests are happy to show off their church's treasures and pose obligingly beside them for photos. It's customary and polite to tip them something small afterwards (around Br5).

The self-appointed shoe bearers at each church doorway seemed to have disappeared, but should they return a tip of Birr1per person per church is fair.