South Ethiopia Regional State district, Ethiopia

Places to visit near Sodo

Sodo is a town in South Ethiopia Regional State district, Ethiopia, home to about 86,050 people. Within 50 km by road there are 47 places to visit — 26 churches, 6 hill stations & viewpoints, 0 lakes, dams & reservoirs and 5 forts & heritage. The must-see places are Mount Damota (8 km), Ajora Falls (50 km) and Lake Hawassa (98 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Sodo on the map

Sodo, Ethiopia
Sodo, South Ethiopia Regional State district, Ethiopia. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Sodo at a glance

Location
South Ethiopia Regional State district, Ethiopia
Population
about 86,050
Coordinates
6.8600° N, 37.7616° E
Places within 50 km
47 (2 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for churches

Top places to visit near Sodo

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Sodo: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Sodo

Things to see near Sodo, by type

Churches near Sodo

73 churches within 100 km of Sodo. The closest is Sooddo Isttaademiya Qaali Hiwoote Woosa Keeetta (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Hill stations & viewpoints near Sodo

46 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Sodo. The closest is Mount Damota (8 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

  • Mount Damota · viewpoint · South Ethiopia Regional State · ~8 km · Must-see
  • Hobicha · viewpoint · South Ethiopia Regional State · ~15 km
  • Chiracha · viewpoint · Sidama · ~50 km
  • Mount Solkuwa · viewpoint · South Ethiopia Regional State · ~25 km
  • Bode Ameda Hayk · viewpoint · West Arsi · ~51 km
  • Budamado Hayk · viewpoint · West Arsi · ~56 km

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Sodo

10 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Sodo. The closest is Bodē Āmeda Hāyk’ (51 km); the best-known is Gilgel Gibe III Dam (63 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Forts & heritage near Sodo

8 forts & heritage within 100 km of Sodo. The closest is Kawo Tona Memorial (1 km). Best time: october to february.

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Mosques & dargahs near Sodo

4 mosques & dargahs within 100 km of Sodo. The closest is Mesjid (31 km). Best time: year-round.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Sodo

2 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Sodo. The closest is Maze National Park (67 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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A one-day trip from Sodo

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 21 km on the road.

  1. Start in Sodo
  2. 1 km Wolayta People Monument · monument, South Ethiopia Regional State
  3. 2 km Historic Sites · heritage site, South Ethiopia Regional State
  4. 2 km Kawo Tona Memorial · monument, South Ethiopia Regional State
  5. 1 km Firew Altaye Memorial · monument, South Ethiopia Regional State
  6. 7 km Mount Damota · viewpoint, South Ethiopia Regional State
  7. 8 km Back to Sodo

Plan a longer trip from Sodo — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Sodo

No traveller has reported from around Sodo 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.

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How to reach Sodo

    All places near Sodo by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Sodo by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Churches2673Sooddo Isttaademiya Qaali Hiwoote Woosa Keeetta (1 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints646Mount Damota (8 km)
    Other attractions833Maedot Wolayta (1 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs010Bodē Āmeda Hāyk’ (51 km)
    Forts & heritage58Kawo Tona Memorial (1 km)
    Mosques & dargahs14Mesjid (31 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens02Maze National Park (67 km)
    Waterfalls11Ajora Falls (50 km)
    Caves01Mota Cave (62 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves01Aruro Island (70 km)
    Parks01Amora Gedel Park (99 km)

    Sodo: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Sodo?

    Mount Damota (viewpoint, about 8 km), Kawo Tona Memorial (monument, about 1 km), Wolayta People Monument (monument, about 1 km), Firew Altaye Memorial (monument, about 1 km), Historic Sites (heritage site, about 3 km), Wolaita Sodo (attraction, about 3 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Sodo?

    47 places on Spotwander: 26 churches, 6 hill stations & viewpoints, 8 other attractions, 5 forts & heritage, 1 dargah.

    Which is the nearest church to Sodo?

    Sooddo Isttaademiya Qaali Hiwoote Woosa Keeetta, about 1 km by road; Otona Kidist Mariam (1 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Sodo?

    Mount Damota, about 8 km by road; Hobicha (15 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest lake to Sodo?

    Bodē Āmeda Hāyk’, about 51 km by road; Budamada Hāyk’ (56 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Sodo?

    Start in Sodo, visit Wolayta People Monument, then Historic Sites, then Kawo Tona Memorial, then Firew Altaye Memorial, then Mount Damota, and drive back — about 21 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Sodo?

    October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for churches.

    Towns near Sodo

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Sodo’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Sodo on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.