I've Been to all 7 World Wonders but THIS Should Have Been on the List

Searching for surreal, ancient phenomenons not many people haven't heard of is my favorite hobby, as if I'm some modern day Tomb Raider (minus the theft), and what I explored recently will absolutely blow your mind. Think: ancient, holy, possibly divine, seemingly impossible, and also reminiscent of Fraggle Rock. That is how I'd describe Lalibela.

It's not easy to get to of course, otherwise everyone would have seen it by now. To get there, I traveled solo for 28 hours, taking 4 flights, and countless vehicles, all to see ancient churches that most people have never heard of. What I experienced in the Ethiopian highlands changed everything I thought I knew about ancient architecture, and religion.

Most people don't know about the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia (at least according to my Instagram comments), which is exactly why I wanted to make it my next solo adventure. I had seen a photo of what looked like a massive cross carved deep into the ground many years ago, but without much information posted about it, it stayed in the back of my mind like an unsolved travel mystery.

My first attempt to reach Ethiopia was thwarted at the height of their recent civil war when I was denied a visa upon arrival. But recently, I tried again, obtaining an eVisa in advance, and trusted a local guide to show me these historical sites and educate me on their incredible history.

What I experienced was hard to even put into words. Churches carved from the top down by hand (and allegedly with help from angels) that require tunnels and stairs to access, and hundreds of locals adorned in sheer white religious scarves coming to pray, looking at me with curiosity and some with awe as children whispered things like, "beautiful" about my clothes (which aren't much different than what he local women wear there!) It was like stepping into a living, breathing piece of ancient history that most of the world has completely overlooked.

Here's a little more about Lalibela:

The King With a Divine Architectural Dream

Picture this: It's the 12th century, and King Lalibela has a vision to create a "New Jerusalem" in the heart of Ethiopia, so that the Ethiopian people could have a sacred holy land to pilgrimage to without having to go to actual Jerusalem. According to legend, angels worked alongside humans during the night to carve these incredible churches directly into volcanic rock. Whether you believe in divine intervention or just appreciate seriously impressive ancient engineering, the result is nothing short of miraculous.

These aren't typical churches built up from the ground – they're carved downward into solid rock, creating underground sanctuaries that have survived nearly 900 years and are still actively used today. The entire complex represents the biblical landscape of Jerusalem, complete with a river called Jordan running through it.

The craftsmanship is mind-boggling when you consider they had no modern tools – just chisels, determination, and apparently some heavenly assistance. Each church took decades to complete, and the precision is so perfect that archaeologists still puzzle over exactly how they achieved it.

The Ancient Rock-Church Experience

There's not just the one church you see in most photos, but ten, plus another even older structure that they're not sure if it's original purpose was as a church. Each of the official ten churches has its own distinct personality, carved with incredible precision into the bedrock. The crown jewel is Bet Giyorgis (Church of St. George) – that perfect cross shape carved into the ground that probably sparked your Lalibela dreams in the first place (it's what sparked mine). Standing at its edge, looking down at this architectural masterpiece, is genuinely breathtaking. And slightly terrifying due to the incline and slippery rock - be sure to wear good shoes!

But it's Bet Golgotha, considered the holiest church in Lalibela, that is the most popular amongst the locals. The carved reliefs and religious significance create an atmosphere so thick with spirituality that you can feel it in your bones. Watching hundreds of locals emerge from these ancient stone churches in flowing white scarves felt like witnessing biblical times come to life in some sort of AI generated video, except this was definitely real life.

The experience isn't just visual – it's deeply sensory. The cool air rising from the underground chambers, the echo of loud prayers bouncing off stone walls, the smooth-worn steps beneath your feet that have been touched by millions of people over nine centuries, the smell of smoke and frankincense, and not a single other traveler in sight. It felt like I had time traveled to another era.

Beyond the Churches: Authentic Ethiopian Culture

While the churches are obviously the main attraction, Lalibela offered cultural experiences that gave me a deeper connection to Ethiopian life. I couldn't resist having a local seamstress create a traditional chiffon dress for me – which is what the modern Ethiopian women wear in Lalibela (and many other parts). If you don't have time to have one made, there are many stalls along the roads that sell pre-made dresses!

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, so I also participated in a traditional coffee ceremony at a local café. The entire process – from roasting green beans over an open flame to brewing in a traditional clay pot called a jebena – is meditative and social, often taking over an hour. They also taught me to make injera, the spongy sourdough flatbread that's an Ethiopian staple. Fair warning: it's harder than it looks, and my attempt to pour the dough into a circle had the ladies giggling and naming a new shape after me.

Planning Your Journey to Lalibela, Ethiopia

Getting to Lalibela requires planning but is absolutely worth every effort. The town sits at 8,200 feet above sea level in the Ethiopian Highlands, accessible via daily flights from Addis Ababa that take about 1.5 hours.

I strongly recommend booking a guided tour. The historical and religious significance runs so deep that having a knowledgeable local guide transforms the experience from impressive architecture to understanding a living piece of human heritage. Local guides know the stories, hidden passages, best visiting times, and help you navigate religious customs respectfully. My guide also helped me take all of my photos and videos, constantly was on the lookout for my safety, and even introduced me to nearly half of his family.

For accommodations, options range from basic guesthouses to beautiful boutique hotels like where I stayed, which offers ornate rooms, hot water, and an absolutely stunning view of the mountains and valley below!

Be sure to check the weather ahead of time - I didn't and accidentally went in rainy season, which created a beautiful green landscape, but also cold wet weather that I wasn't prepared for!

Solo Female Travel Safety Considerations

As someone who travels solo frequently, I felt quite safe in Lalibela despite some warnings, including one from my sister-in-law who is actually from the region. However, it's a religious pilgrimage site with a general atmosphere of respect and spirituality. The local community is welcoming to visitors, and crime rates are low.

Dressing respectfully is crucial – cover shoulders, wear long pants or skirts, and bring a scarf for entering churches. This shows respect and helps you blend in appropriately. You need good walking shoes, preferably ones with grips and that can get wet, but are still relatively easy to get on and off since you can't wear them inside of the churches.

The locals I met were incredibly kind and curious about my solo journey. Many were amazed that I'd traveled so far alone just to see their churches, and their pride in sharing their heritage was genuinely touching.

But, I have to emphasize that I've been traveling solo for 12 years and to 144 countries, so this might be out of most people's comfort zones! If it's on your bucketlist but you don't want to go alone, you can sign up for notifications about when I'll be hosting a group trip here in the future! Check out my full blog post for more information!

A Hidden Wonder Worth the Journey

Lalibela isn't just a destination – it's a journey into one of humanity's most incredible architectural achievements, wrapped in living religious tradition and Ethiopian mountain culture. Yes, it takes effort to get there, and yes, it's off the beaten path. But sometimes the most extraordinary experiences are hiding in the places most people have never heard of.

Standing at the edge of those ancient churches, and even more impactful, going inside of them, watching the locals pray in spaces carved by hand nine centuries ago, I was reminded why I fell in love with travel in the first place. Some destinations don't just show you new places – they show you the living history of mankind.

Have you ever had a destination stick in your mind for years before you finally made it there? Lalibela proves that sometimes the longest journeys lead to the most unforgettable discoveries!