Lake Tana: The Heart of Ethiopian History and Culture
Discover Lake Tana, Ethiopia's largest lake, a treasure trove of ancient monasteries, stunning landscapes, and rich biodiversity waiting to be explored.
Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia, is a mesmerizing destination that combines stunning natural beauty with rich cultural heritage. Visitors can explore ancient monasteries, unique wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes that make this location a must-see for any traveler.
A brief summary to የደምቢያ ሓይቅ (Lake Dembea)
- Lake Tana, ET
Local tips
- Consider hiring a local guide for a richer experience, as they can provide insights into the history and culture of the monasteries.
- Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to enjoy the best light for photography and fewer crowds.
- Don't forget to try local fish dishes at lakeside restaurants; they are a specialty of the region.
- Bring binoculars for birdwatching; the lake is home to many unique bird species, especially during migration seasons.
- Dress modestly when visiting religious sites to show respect for the local customs.
Getting There
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Car
If you are driving from Bahir Dar, take the road towards Lake Tana. The drive will take approximately 30 minutes. Once you reach the lakeshore, look for signs pointing to የደምቢያ ሓይቅ (Lake Dembea). It is accessible via a dirt road leading to the lake, which may require a 4x4 vehicle, especially during the rainy season. Be cautious of the local wildlife and ensure to keep your windows up.
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Public Transportation
To reach Lake Dembea via public transportation, take a minibus from Bahir Dar to the town of Gorgora, which operates regularly throughout the day. The fare is approximately 20-30 Ethiopian Birr. Upon reaching Gorgora, hire a local tuk-tuk or bajaj for about 50-100 Ethiopian Birr to take you to the lake. Make sure to agree on the fare before starting the journey.
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Boat
Alternatively, you can reach የደምቢያ ሓይቅ (Lake Dembea) by boat from Bahir Dar. There are several boat operators near the lakeshore offering trips for around 200-300 Ethiopian Birr per person. The boat ride provides scenic views of Lake Tana and takes about 45 minutes. Ensure to confirm the return trip time with the boat operator.
Discover more about የደምቢያ ሓይቅ (Lake Dembea)
Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
የደምቢያ ሓይቅ (Lake Dembea)
0.0 km
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Kibrian Gebriel monastery
42.1 km
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Bahir Dar Belay Zeleke International Airport
47.2 km
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Blue Nile Resort Hotel
47.7 km
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Abay Minch Lodge
47.9 km
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Tana Hotel
48.0 km
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Homeland Hotel
48.0 km
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JACARANDA HOTEL ,BAHIR DAR
48.1 km
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Kuriftu Resort and Spa Bahir Dar
48.4 km
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Unison Hotel
48.7 km
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Gojjam Hunegnaw
48.9 km
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Yotor Travel
48.9 km
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Olive Hotel and Spa
48.9 km
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Ethio Nile Tours
48.9 km
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Bravo Ethiopia Tours
49.0 km
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Unmissable attractions to see
Lake Tana
0.8 km
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ይላስ መጣያ አካባቢያዊ ፏፏቴ/Yilas Metaya Local Fall
10.1 km
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አበያ ረግረጋማ ቦታ/ Abeya Swampy place
10.1 km
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Lack tana
11.4 km
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Dek Island
13.2 km
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Narga Selassie
14.4 km
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Gelila Zakarias Island
20.1 km
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Tana Qirqos
26.7 km
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GILEGEL ABAY (As Victoria nile)
36.3 km
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Ayalew Kasse Empires የ አያሌው ካሴ ግዛት
36.9 km
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Ura Kidane Mihret Monastery (ኡራ ኪዳነ ምሕረት ገዳም)
37.1 km
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Azwa St. Maryam Church | አዝዋ ቅድስት ማርያም ቤተክርስቲያን
37.8 km
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አንበሳሜ፣ እስቴና ስማዳ መገንጠያ
38.2 km
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Etege Mentewab Heritage
39.8 km
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Wanzaye Detour
40.7 km
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Essential places to dine
Gorgora Port Hotel & Restaurant
23.5 km
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Gech Fresh Fish Restaurant | ጌች ትኩስ ዓሣ ቤት
47.0 km
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Dahlak Fish Restaurant | ዳህላክ ዓሣ ቤት
47.0 km
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Goh cafe and restaurant
47.3 km
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Caron Pension
47.6 km
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Selihom Cafe And Restorant
48.0 km
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Enabe Coffee Shop
48.0 km
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John Fish Restaurant
48.1 km
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Grand Hotel & Resort
48.1 km
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Bahir Dar Breeze
48.1 km
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BDU Zenzelima Café
48.2 km
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Hani Juice
48.2 km
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Misrak Restaurant ምስራቅ ልዩ ምግብ
48.2 km
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Bet Diplomat
48.3 km
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Andromeda Butchery and restaurant
48.3 km
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
ከፋለ ባዬ ሸቀጣሸቀጥ ሽያጭ
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Local Market
34.6 km
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Kunzila town
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Essa Mekonene Shop
38.4 km
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SOL
46.4 km
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DAFA B
47.5 km
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Kalab's home
47.7 km
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መሲ ባልትና Mesi Baltina
47.8 km
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House of z great Jupiter
48.3 km
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Eyube Abebe
48.3 km
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Wude Coffee
48.4 km
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Bahiru Gift shop ባህሩ የስጦታ እቃዎች መደብር
48.5 km
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Empire Auto shop
48.7 km
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እልፍኝ የባህል አልባሳት/ELFIGN CULTURAL DRESSING/
48.7 km
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nati's shop
48.8 km
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Tsion restaurant
47.5 km
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Lounge
48.0 km
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Tg fish cafe
48.1 km
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Mac sub lounge
48.2 km
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Kokel Coffee House
48.5 km
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Bar
48.6 km
Experience the vibrant nightlife of Bahir Dar with its lively bars, local drinks, and rich cultural atmosphere that invites tourists to unwind and socialize.
Castel Kuriftu Wina Bar
48.6 km
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Limalemo Bar
48.7 km
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Ras Dashen Pub
48.7 km
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Amsale mitike cultural entertainment
48.7 km
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Hiber restaurant
48.8 km
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Banchu Grocery and Snack
48.8 km
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Negadres beka
48.9 km
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Climax
48.9 km
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Club Paris
49.0 km
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