Traveler Overview

4.5 290 reviews

Excellent55%
Very good39%
Average5%
Poor1%
Terrible0%

Travelers talk about

“royal enclosure”(20 reviews)

“castle complex”(12 reviews)

“ethiopian history”(11 reviews)

About

A royal fortress-city dating back to the 16th-17th centuries demonstrates Hindu, Arabic and baroque influences.

Contact

Gondar region, Gonder, Ethiopia

Website

+251 91 809 9039

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Reviews (290)

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1 - 10 of 186 reviews

Gene J

Silver Spring, Maryland

725274

Reviewed 4 days ago

The centerpiece of Gondar

We walked 1.2 km south and downhill passing the main Mesket Square (statue of Emperor Fasilides) to the entry of this 17th C Royal Enclosure. After paying 200 ETb each (includes the Royal Baths), then declining the guide service (preferring detailed Wikipedia), we were left...More

Thank Gene J

Edward C

London, England, United Kingdom

7338

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

Would be impressive if built in Europe, but it's in Africa!!

Located in down town Gondar, it's a must visit if in the region. The castle is full of history, and being an old capital of Ethiopia it is definitely worth getting a guide. The castle itself is well preserved and offers brilliant views of the...More

Thank Edward C

dlarochemd

New York City, New York

1

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Great History in Gondar: Castles in Africa!

Great visiting the castles of Gondar, Great Lunch at Four Sisters restaurant. Beletre Tery (beletetery@gmail.com) Gave a great tour of he city including the royal enclosure(Fasil Ghibbi in Amharic),the swimming pool.and the beautiful painted churches. We were able to do this in 1 day. From...More

Thank dlarochemd

Don G

Mexico City, Mexico

2

Reviewed September 6, 2018

Breathtaking ancient castle with a great guide

This is a truly fascinating historical castle. I recommend reading up on some of the history of the Ethiopian civilization before going, to have an idea of how many significant dynasties and events called this castle home. As the historical capital of the Amhara civilization,...More

Thank Don G

Jenny R

21

Reviewed September 6, 2018

A wonderful one day tour in Gonder

My mother and I visited Ethiopia for the first time in August 2018. While Addis Ababa was our main destination we still wanted to see a little bit more and thus contacted a local tour company to help us organise a short trip to Northern...More

Thank Jenny R

Laila B

3

Reviewed September 4, 2018

The "Camelot" of Africa

Our 3rd day in Ethiopia found us in Gonder, and after an amazing lunch at The Four Sisters, our driver took us to Fasil Ghebbi to tour the Camelot of Africa. We lucked out and were given an amazing guide by the name of Bekele,...More

Thank Laila B

Brian L

4

Reviewed August 24, 2018 via mobile

Great visit and wonderful guide

Fasil Ghebbi is an incredible location with numerous ancient structure. Once inside it's easy to forget about the hustle and bustle of the city around. Having lived in Gonder, I've visited the castle 11 times, and it honestly gets better each time. Guides help explain...More

Thank Brian L

Ishmael W

1

Reviewed August 21, 2018 via mobile

Tour with Melaku Tenaw

Melaku is very passionate and energetic about the history of Gondar. He will ensure to share as much as possible with you. There is so much history in Ethiopia and, most specifically, Gondar. If you have a question, more than likely Melaku will have an...More

Thank Ishmael W

Юлия В

41

Reviewed August 14, 2018

Not bad but nothing exceptional

If you stay in Gonder anyway, the place worth visiting, but don't make a deliberate stop for that. Ruins look nice but there are no indications in English or Amharic at all so without a guide you won't learn much about the place and it's...More

Thank Юлия В

bmuno

Seattle, Washington

83

Reviewed August 13, 2018 via mobile

An excellent guide

Once we got on Kim’s tour, we knew we had an excellent guide. She was knowledgeable about all of the castles and was able to give specific details that made them more significant. We enjoyed our time with her and would highly recommend her. Her...More

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Questions & Answers

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Kmariesweets v

Hi, Please can you tell me if this is ok? I am a solo female traveller on a budget. I will visit Shashamene 2days, Hawassa 1 day, Bahar Dar1 day and Addis Ababa 3 days. I wish to go to Gondar but have only 1 day. From Addis Ababa on plane and arrive 9.15am. I fly to go back to Addis Ababa at 16.00 on the same day. I don't know what the flights are like so I assume I go back to Gondar Airport at 14.00 for a 16.00 flight. Do you think that sounds ok? Is it enough time? How do I get from Gondar Airport to the sights? Should I get a guide outside the Airport or at the Castle? How far is the Castle from the Airport and is it expensive bus/taxi? Does anyone know a good but budget priced guide(with a website)? Is it safe to get a guide whilst there? Kind regards, Kmarie

August 24, 2018|

AnswerShow all 3 answers

You’ll be totally safe, if not a bit harassed/scammed. Honestly.... Lali Bella is really great!! But Gondar is not worth the extra trip at all. Skip it. The castle isn’t more than 45 minute walk around/look and it’s not even... More

NinaLad

Hi, where do I write a review about an Ethiopian travel agent?

November 26, 2015|

AnswerShow all 4 answers

If you couldn't find the name of the company, just pick the name of the attraction and mention the name there and give your comment. For example when we visited Gondar, Lalibela and Axum this past July a company named... More