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Northern Ethiopia

Gondar

The royal enclosure of Fasil Ghebbi, with castles built from the 17th century.

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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 1,895

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.

Journeys

Tours that reach Gondar

6 days Easy

GondarCultural

Timket in Gondar

Follow the tabots to Fasilides’ Bath on the eve, then watch the bishop bless the pool and young men leap in.

Departures Dates on request

From USD 1,895 per person

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Keep exploring

More places to see

Northern

Simien Mountains

Discover Simien Mountains.

1 tour From USD 980

Northern

Lalibela

Eleven medieval churches carved down into solid rock, and still in use today.

3 tours From USD 1,200

Northern

Axum

An ancient capital, known for its towering carved stelae and its churches.

Tours on request

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