Amhara Region district, Ethiopia
Places to visit near Gondar
Gondar is a city in Amhara Region district, Ethiopia, home to about 153,914 people. Within 50 km by road there are 59 places to visit — 29 churches, 8 hill stations & viewpoints, 16 forts & heritage and 0 rivers, islands & mangroves. The must-see places are Fasil Ghebbi (1 km), Hatikvah Synagogue of the Jewish Community of Gondar (2 km) and Lake Tana (93 km).

Gondar at a glance
- Location
- Amhara Region district, Ethiopia
- Population
- about 153,914
- Coordinates
- 12.6000° N, 37.4667° E
- Places within 50 km
- 59 (2 must-see)
- Best time to visit
- October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for churches
Top places to visit near Gondar
Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Gondar: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.
- Fasil GhebbiForts · Amhara RegionMust-see
- Hatikvah Synagogue of the Jewish Community of GondarOther · Amhara RegionMust-see
- Fasilidas' PalaceForts · Amhara RegionNotable
- Water CisternForts · Amhara RegionNotable
- Palace of Iyasu IForts · Amhara RegionNotable
- LibraryForts · Amhara RegionNotable
- Fasiladas' ArchiveForts · Amhara RegionNotable
- Dawitt's Lions CagesForts · Amhara RegionNotable
- Dawit's HallForts · Amhara RegionNotable
- Sauna/Steam RoomsForts · Amhara RegionNotable
- StablesForts · Amhara RegionNotable
- Messih-Seghed Bekafa's Castle / Banketing HallForts · Amhara RegionNotable
More places near Gondar
- Mentewab's Castle · fort · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Ras Gimb · fort · Amhara Region · ~2 km
- Debre Berhan Selassie Church · church · Amhara Region · ~3 km
- Fasilides' Bath · church · Amhara Region · ~3 km
- Genet Mountain · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~3 km
- Colle Chercher · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~13 km
- Ambazza · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~19 km
- Fit Michael Church · church · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Kidanemihret Church · church · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Beata Lemaryam Church · church · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Be'ata Mariam Church · church · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Yohannes Weldenegodguad · attraction · Amhara Region · ~1 km
Things to see near Gondar, by type
Churches near Gondar
48 churches within 100 km of Gondar. The closest is Fit Michael Church (1 km); the best-known is Debre Berhan Selassie Church (3 km). Best time: year-round.
- Debre Berhan Selassie Church · church · Amhara Region · ~3 km
- Fasilides' Bath · church · Amhara Region · ~3 km
- Fit Michael Church · church · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Kidanemihret Church · church · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Beata Lemaryam Church · church · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Be'ata Mariam Church · church · Amhara Region · ~1 km
Hill stations & viewpoints near Gondar
33 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Gondar. The closest is Genet Mountain (3 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.
- Genet Mountain · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~3 km
- Colle Chercher · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~13 km
- Ambazza · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~19 km
- Campau · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~40 km
- Colline Maho · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~48 km
- Makisegnt · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~33 km
Forts & heritage near Gondar
21 forts & heritage within 100 km of Gondar. The closest is Jan Tekel (1 km); the best-known is Fasil Ghebbi (1 km). Best time: october to february.
- Fasil Ghebbi · fort · Amhara Region · ~1 km · Must-see
- Fasilidas' Palace · fort · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Water Cistern · fort · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Palace of Iyasu I · fort · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Library · fort · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Fasiladas' Archive · fort · Amhara Region · ~1 km
Rivers, islands & mangroves near Gondar
5 rivers, islands & mangroves within 100 km of Gondar. The closest is Mitraha (59 km). Best time: september to february.
- Mitraha · river spot · Amhara Region · ~59 km
- Gelila Zakarias · river spot · Amhara Region · ~72 km
- Dek Island · river spot · Amhara Region · ~99 km · Must-see
- Isola Ghelila Zacarios · river spot · Amhara Region · ~72 km
- Daga Island · river spot · Amhara Region · ~100 km
Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Gondar
3 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Gondar. The closest is Angereb Reservoir (3 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.
- Angereb Reservoir · lake · Amhara Region · ~3 km
- Lake Tana · lake · Amhara Region · ~93 km · Must-see
- Blue Nile Gorge · lake · Amhara Region · ~88 km
A one-day trip from Gondar
5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 6 km on the road.
- Start in Gondar
- 1 km Fasilidas' Palace · palace, Amhara Region
- 1 km Water Cistern · heritage site, Amhara Region
- 1 km Palace of Iyasu I · palace, Amhara Region
- 1 km Fasil Ghebbi · heritage site, Amhara Region
- 1 km Library · heritage site, Amhara Region
- 1 km Back to Gondar
Plan a longer trip from Gondar — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.
From travellers near Gondar
No traveller has reported from around Gondar yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.
How to reach Gondar
All places near Gondar by distance
Within 15 km of Gondar
- Jan Tekel · fort · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Adebabay Iyesus Church · church · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Gimja Bet Maryam Church · church · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Ilfign Giyorgis Church · church · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Abajale Teklehaimanot Church · church · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Debre Genet Abatami Saint Michael Church · church · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Love Mother Gondar · attraction · Amhara Region · ~1 km
- Emperor Tewodros II · attraction · Amhara Region · ~2 km
- Medhanealem Church · church · Amhara Region · ~2 km
- Yohannes Church · church · Amhara Region · ~2 km
- St. Gabriel Church · church · Amhara Region · ~2 km
- Lideta Maryam Church · church · Amhara Region · ~2 km
- Abune Aregawi · church · Amhara Region · ~3 km
- Angereb Reservoir · lake · Amhara Region · ~3 km
- Kuskuam Church and Castle · fort · Amhara Region · ~4 km
- Qusquam · fort · Amhara Region · ~4 km
- Gonderoch Maryam Bēte Kristīyan · church · Amhara Region · ~5 km
- Abba Antonios Church · church · Amhara Region · ~5 km
- Woleka St. Bata Church · church · Amhara Region · ~7 km
- Teklehaymanot · church · Amhara Region · ~9 km
- Tekla Haymanot Church · church · Amhara Region · ~15 km
- Emperor Tewodros II Statue · attraction · Amhara Region · ~13 km
15–50 km — half-day trips
- Campau · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~40 km
- Colline Maho · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~48 km
- Kerker Medhanē ‘Alem Bēte Kristīyan · church · Amhara Region · ~26 km
- Awaza Maryam Bete Kristiyan · church · Amhara Region · ~28 km
- Limama Mika'El Bete Kristiyan · church · Amhara Region · ~28 km
- Kerker Be`Ale Igzi'Abher Bete · church · Amhara Region · ~28 km
- St. Michael Church · church · Amhara Region · ~32 km
- Christ (Savior of the World) Church · church · Amhara Region · ~32 km
- Makisegnt · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~33 km
- Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo · church · Amhara Region · ~36 km
- Sdni · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~36 km
- Imbach’och Rufa’ēl Bēte Kristīyan · church · Amhara Region · ~41 km
- Monte Ja-Sejtan-Reghecia · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~49 km
50–100 km — one-day trips
- Guzara Castle · fort · Amhara Region · ~56 km
- Mitraha · river spot · Amhara Region · ~59 km
- Alem Wach Refugee Camp · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~65 km
- Dabat · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~67 km
- Curcuana · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~68 km
- Gelila Zakarias · river spot · Amhara Region · ~72 km
- Lake Tana · lake · Amhara Region · ~93 km · Must-see
- Wehni · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~75 km
- Big Rock View · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~75 km
- Amba Mariam Monastery · church · Amhara Region · ~51 km
- Dengez Maryam Bēte Kristīyan · church · Amhara Region · ~51 km
- Ernambe · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~51 km
- Monte Di Guaglie · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~51 km
- West Belesa · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~52 km
- Guaglia · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~52 km
- Serak’o Medhanē ‘Alem Bēte Kristīyan · church · Amhara Region · ~52 km
- Dek Island · river spot · Amhara Region · ~99 km · Must-see
- Narga Sellasie · church · Amhara Region · ~100 km · Must-see
- Stele di Mussolini · fort · Amhara Region · ~57 km
- Hāwilt · fort · Amhara Region · ~57 km
- Debir Mīka’ēl Bēte Kristīyan · church · Amhara Region · ~57 km
- Dauc · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~83 km
- Fentay Gīyorgīs Bēte Kristīyan · church · Amhara Region · ~60 km
- Amba Tocri · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~86 km
- Agag Bota · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~88 km
- Dengor Diba Gīyorgīs Bēte Kristīyan · church · Amhara Region · ~70 km
- Dumi · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~71 km
- Isola Ghelila Zacarios · river spot · Amhara Region · ~72 km
- Dce-Beles Camp · fort · Amhara Region · ~99 km
- Amba Dagua Tafa · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~99 km
- Kinfaz Begela Selare Town · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~74 km
- Tara Temple · church · Amhara Region · ~74 km
- Daga Island · river spot · Amhara Region · ~100 km
- Finger of God · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~75 km
- Safad · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~78 km
- Mikael Betekrstiyan · church · Amhara Region · ~79 km
- Wek'in YeTerara Ch'af · viewpoint · Amhara Region · ~80 km
- Mariyam Betekrstiyan · church · Amhara Region · ~80 km
- Gebriel Betekrstiyan · church · Amhara Region · ~81 km
- Tahera Giorgis · attraction · Amhara Region · ~85 km
Count by type (within 100 km)
| Type | Within 50 km | Within 100 km | Nearest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Churches | 29 | 48 | Fit Michael Church (1 km) |
| Hill stations & viewpoints | 8 | 33 | Genet Mountain (3 km) |
| Forts & heritage | 16 | 21 | Jan Tekel (1 km) |
| Other attractions | 5 | 8 | Yohannes Weldenegodguad (1 km) |
| Rivers, islands & mangroves | 0 | 5 | Mitraha (59 km) |
| Lakes, dams & reservoirs | 1 | 3 | Angereb Reservoir (3 km) |
Gondar: questions travellers ask
What are the best places to visit near Gondar?
Fasil Ghebbi (heritage site, about 1 km), Hatikvah Synagogue of the Jewish Community of Gondar (attraction, about 2 km), Fasilidas' Palace (palace, about 1 km), Water Cistern (heritage site, about 1 km), Palace of Iyasu I (palace, about 1 km), Library (heritage site, about 1 km).
How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Gondar?
59 places on Spotwander: 29 churches, 8 hill stations & viewpoints, 16 forts & heritage, 5 other attractions, 1 lake.
Which is the nearest church to Gondar?
Fit Michael Church, about 1 km by road; Kidanemihret Church (1 km) is next.
Which is the nearest viewpoint to Gondar?
Genet Mountain, about 3 km by road; Colle Chercher (13 km) is next.
Which is the nearest fort to Gondar?
Jan Tekel, about 1 km by road; Fasilidas' Palace (1 km) is next.
What is a good one-day trip from Gondar?
Start in Gondar, visit Fasilidas' Palace, then Water Cistern, then Palace of Iyasu I, then Fasil Ghebbi, then Library, and drive back — about 6 km by road in all.
What is the best time to visit places near Gondar?
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for churches.
Towns near Gondar
- Places near Dabat · 67 km
Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Gondar’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Gondar on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.