Top 8 Things To Do In Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

1. Join a Lake Tana group boat tour

Lake Tana is the source of the Blue Nile, which feeds into the world’s longest river, the Nile. Aside from birdwatching and visiting monasteries around the lake, you can also join a boat tour in which you’ll be able to see some Ethiopian coffee plantations and hike through beautiful forests.

Lake Tana Group Boat Tours

Address: Bahir Dar, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 5pm (closed on Sun)

2. Visit Azwa Mariam Monastery on Lake Tana

Situated on the Zege Peninsula of Lake Tana, Azwa Mariam Monastery is known for its colorful murals that tell biblical stories. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the port. To get to this place, you’ll need to hire a boat to cross the lake.

Lake Tana is also home to 37 islands and peninsulas that house plenty of hidden Christian monasteries and churches that are known to be some of the oldest in the world. These include Kebran Gabriel, Narga Selassie, Daga Estifanos, Tana Cherkos, Ura Kidane Mehret, Bete Maryam, Bete Selassie, and Tekla Haimanot.

Azwa Mariam Monastery

Address: M9Q2+VXJ, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Opening hours: 12am - 5:30pm (daily)

3. Go birdwatching at Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve

Known as the jewel of Ethiopia, Lake Tana is the country’s largest lake. One of the enjoyable activities you can do is birdwatching at this established biosphere reserve. Since it is nestled in the Horn of Africa, it has become a valuable location for hundreds of migratory bird species traveling between Africa, Asia, and Europe. With abundant wetlands surrounding the lake, it is no surprise that the area has rich biological diversity. In fact, Ethiopia itself is a bird watcher’s paradise, with nearly 900 bird species already spotted in the country.

For its natural and cultural significance, Lake Tana received recognition from the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2015.

Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve

Address: J83W+46M, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Website: Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve

4. Cross the stone bridge over the Blue Nile River

One of the most picturesque tourist attractions in Ethiopia is Portuguese Bridge, which spans across the Blue Nile. Some believe it to have been built by the Portuguese in the 17th century, hence the name, but others claim that the stone bridge was built by Ethiopians in the 19th century.

The bridge is part of the trail that leads to the breathtaking Blue Nile Falls, also known as Tis Abay to the locals. Tis Abay means “The Great Smoke” in Amharic.

5. Buy locally made goods at Bahir Dar Market

You will find a variety of spices and fresh produce at Bahir Dar Market, as well as locally made goods such as clothes, jewelry, and souvenirs to bring home. Buying from the market supports the livelihood of local merchants and you’ll get to learn about their culture as you make your way around. Take note that the market is busiest on Saturdays, which is when people from nearby villages would flock into town.

6. Dine with a view at the Desset Lodge restaurant

Enjoy some quiet time and the beautiful view of Lake Tana when you dine at Desset Lodge. As you get situated in their garden by the lake, you’ll see a lot of birds, as well as fishermen going about their day in their canoes. It’s also the perfect spot to catch a beautiful sunset to cap off your day. The restaurant serves a variety of Ethiopian and foreign dishes, as well as beers and local wines.

Desset Lodge

Address: Main Airport Road Next to Old Stadium, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)

7. Visit the Lions Art Gallery

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Bahir Dar has several art spaces and Lions Art Gallery is one of those that you must visit. Located in the heart of the city, the gallery is easy to find. It showcases the artworks of talented local artists and those featured personally welcome guests with a smile and will willingly discuss their art with interested parties. The gallery is inside a cafe, so you can enjoy a good cup of coffee while you’re there.

Lions Art Gallery

Address: Wakanda Ethiopia Guesthouse, St. George Church, A3, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Website: Lions Art Gallery

Opening hours: 8am - 8:50pm (daily)

8. Taste authentic Ethiopian dishes at Checheho Cultural Restaurant

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

One must not miss out on tasting authentic Ethiopian dishes when in Bahir Dar. Checheho Cultural Restaurant serves delicious traditional cuisine that won’t hurt your pocket. Have dinner, mingle with the locals, dance to the music of a live band, and have a fantastic time.

Checheho Cultural Restaurant

Address: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Opening hours: Sun - Mon: 7am - 11pm (closed from Tue - Sat)

A perfect mix of culture and natural beauty

While there are plenty of activities to do and places to visit in Bahir Dar, the activities above are the ones that you surely won’t want to miss out on. Bask in spectacular sights of nature and savor the chance to learn about Ethiopian culture and history as you hop from one tourist attraction to the other!