Departs 27 Oct
7 days Historical
Gondar
Northern Highlights in a Week
Seven days linking Gondar, the Simien foothills and Lalibela for those with a little less time.
Northern Ethiopia
Gondar
The royal enclosure of Fasil Ghebbi, with castles built from the 17th century.
Overview
About Gondar
Gondar was the seat of Ethiopia’s emperors from the 1630s. The walled royal enclosure of Fasil Ghebbi holds a group of stone castles and halls, built over more than two centuries.
Just outside the compound are Fasilides’ Bath, used for the Epiphany festival, and the church of Debre Berhan Selassie, famous for its painted ceiling of winged faces.
- Region
- Northern
- Best time
- October to March
- Tours here
- 1
- Tours from
- USD 1,890
Highlights
What makes it worth the journey
Highlights
- Fasil Ghebbi royal enclosure
- Debre Berhan Selassie church and its painted ceiling
- Fasilides’ Bath
- A gateway to the Simien Mountains
Things to do
- Walk the royal enclosure with a guide
- See the painted church ceiling
- Watch the sunset from the town’s hills
- Use Gondar as a base for the Simien Mountains
Plan your visit
Before you go
Best time to visit
October to March; Timkat (Epiphany) in January is the highlight
Getting there
Gondar has an airport with flights from Addis Ababa, and roads link it to Bahir Dar and the Simien Mountains.
Getting around
The main sites are close together; taxis and three-wheelers (bajaj) are easy to find.
Good to know
- The enclosure has an entrance fee; guides can explain each building.
- Timkat in mid-January fills the town, so book early if you plan to visit then.
Gallery
A look at Gondar
Photos: Unsplash
Keep exploring
More places to see
Northern
Lalibela
Eleven medieval churches carved down into solid rock, and still in use today.
Northern
Axum
An ancient capital, known for its towering carved stelae and its churches.
Northern
Simien Mountains
A high plateau of sheer escarpments, gelada baboons and long-distance trails.
Let us plan your Gondar trip
Tell us when you want to travel and what you love. A local specialist will reply with a suggested plan and a clear price.