Welcome to the Official Bahirdar Tourism Portal! Discover events, hotels, and tours. | እንኳን ወደ ባሕርዳር ይፋዊ የቱሪዝም መረጃ ቋት በደህና መጡ! ሁነቶችን፣ ሆቴሎችን እና ጉብኝቶችን ያስሱ።
24°C / 75°F
Sunny · Fresh Lake Tana Breeze
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East Africa Time (EAT)
Tikimt 16, 2019
Monday, October 26, 2026 (Gregorian)
37+
Island Monasteries
Centuries of Sacred Art
1,788 m
Lake Elevation
Ideal Year-Round Climate
45 m
Waterfall Drop
Tis Issat Majesty
100%
Warm Hospitality
Safe & Vibrant Living
Curated Bahirdar Bento
Immerse yourself in UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserves, ancient island monasteries, dramatic waterfalls, and lakeside promenades.
Lake Tana & Island Monasteries
Navigate tranquil waters to 14th-century island sanctuaries adorned with vivid biblical frescoes, sacred crowns, and rare papyrus boats.
Explore Lake Tana
Tis Issat — Blue Nile Falls
Witness the thundering mist and cross the historic 17th-century Portuguese stone bridge.
View Blue Nile
Events & Celebrations
From colorful Timket and Meskel celebrations on the shores of Lake Tana to boat regattas and cultural symposia.
Sebaru Giyorgis Annual Festival (Debre Genet Cathedral)
The crowning celebration of the month of Tir in Bahir Dar. Tens of thousands of faithful gather at Debre Genet St. George Cathedral to accompany the sacred Ark on a red carpet procession through the historic gates, accompanied by Yaredic chants and youth choirs.
Traditional Tankwa Boat Racing Regatta on Lake Tana
Spectacular annual regatta featuring dozens of traditional papyrus reed boats (Tankwa) racing across the open waters of Lake Tana. A thrilling display of indigenous seamanship, community celebration, and living cultural heritage in Bahir Dar.
Bahir Dar Annual Cycling Tour
Join hundreds of cyclists in Bahir Dar’s scenic annual cycling tour. A healthy, eco-friendly journey through the palm-lined boulevards, Lake Tana promenades, and vibrant avenues of Ethiopia’s greenest lakeside city.
Lakeside Resorts & Luxury Stays
Experience peaceful lakeside sunsets, spa treatments, authentic dining, and true Ethiopian hospitality.
5-star
Kuriftu Resort & Spa Lake Tana
Luxury resort on the shores of Lake Tana with spa facilities and stunning views
4-star
Jacaranda Hotel
Modern hotel with excellent amenities and service in the heart of Bahirdar
4-star
Blue Nile Resort
Comfortable resort with beautiful gardens and lake views
4-star
Sky Resort Bahirdar
Contemporary resort offering comfortable accommodation and excellent dining
Planning Your Visit to Bahirdar?
Our official information desk is here to assist you with boat tours, certified guides, hotel bookings, and emergency safety support.
Main Tourist Information Center
Near Blue Nile Bridge, Kebele 03, Bahirdar
Official Tourism Email
tourism@bahirdar.gov.et / info@bahirdar.gov.et
Send Visitor Feedback & Inquiries
Have a question about boat tours, festivals, or local guidelines? Send us a message directly.
Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting
How do I travel to Bahirdar?
Bahirdar is served by Dejazmach Belay Zeleke Airport (BJR) with multiple daily Ethiopian Airlines flights from Addis Ababa (approx. 50 minutes). Daily express tourist coaches also connect Bahirdar to Addis Ababa and Gondar.
How do I arrange a boat trip on Lake Tana?
Licensed tourist motorboat associations operate from the central port near Lake Tana and directly from lakeside resort docks (such as Kuriftu and Blue Nile). Certified guides can accompany you to monasteries like Ura Kidane Mihret and Azwa Maryam.
When is the best time of year to visit?
From late September through March is ideal. During this period, the countryside is verdant, the weather is warm and sunny, Lake Tana is calm, and major celebrations like Meskel and Timket take place.
The Story of Bahir Dar: From Sacred Shore to Modern Metropolis
From its 14th-century medieval beginnings around Saint George Church on the shores of Lake Tana, through the 1626 Portuguese-Ethiopian stone bridge over the Blue Nile, Belay Zeleke’s patriot era, Emperor Haile Selassie’s Bezawit Palace, and German master planning — discover the proud chronicle of Ethiopia’s water capital.
14th C.
St. George & Lake Tana Monasteries
The natural harbor and spiritual anchor established around Bahir Dar Saint George Church and Lake Tana.
1626
Tis Issat Stone Bridge
First historic stone bridge over the Blue Nile gorge built during the reign of Emperor Susenyos.
1936-41
Heroic Belay Zeleke Era
Heroic patriot campaigns led by Dejazmach Belay Zeleke in defense of Bahir Dar and national liberty.
1960s
Bezawit Palace & German Plan
Emperor Haile Selassie’s hilltop Bezawit Palace and the German-designed palm boulevard urban master plan.
Bahir Dar City: Key Milestones of Urban Rise
Key chronological thresholds transforming Bahir Dar from a 14th-century shoreline village into a flourishing regional capital of 6 sub-cities and 53 kebeles.
Kidane Mihret Church & Village Settlement
During the 14th century, Kidane Mihret Church was consecrated on the exact location where Felege Genet Saint George Church stands today, anchoring Bahir Dar as an initial settlement. By 1928 E.C. (1935/36), it had grown into distinct community villages known as Kahnat, Balabat, and others.
Inception of Urban Master Planning
In 1929 E.C. (1937 G.C.), the inaugural urban development layout and town plan was formally drafted for Bahir Dar, charting its transformation toward an organized modern metropolis.
Designated as Autonomous Woreda Town
In 1935 E.C. (1943 G.C.), Bahir Dar was officially elevated to a Woreda administrative center, anchoring judicial, trade, and regional services.
Elevated to Full Municipality
In 1937 E.C. (1945 G.C.), Bahir Dar earned municipality charter status, establishing structured municipal leadership, sanitation, and civic infrastructure.
Designated as "Bahir Dar Awraja"
In 1948 E.C. (1956 G.C.), the city was officially recognized as the provincial capital of "Bahir Dar Awraja", unifying the broader Lake Tana basin and Blue Nile territories.
Capital of Amhara National Regional State
In 1985 E.C. (1993 G.C.), Bahir Dar was inaugurated as the supreme capital city of the Amhara National Regional State (ANRS), going on to win the UNESCO Cities for Peace Prize and UNESCO Learning City Prize.
Bahir Dar City: 6 Sub-Cities & 53 Kebeles
Bahir Dar currently operates through 6 Sub-City clusters encompassing 53 kebeles, 2 Lead Municipalities (Zege & Tis Abay), and 1 Sub-Municipality (Meshenti).
Tana Sub-City Cluster
Lake Tana Port, Zege Peninsula & Waterfront Kebeles
Belay Zeleke Sub-City Cluster
Tis Abay Lead Municipality, Sebatamit & Patriot Corridors
Dagim Minilik Sub-City Cluster
Meshenti Sub-Municipality, Marzenev & Commercial Corridors
Atse Tewodros Sub-City Cluster
Zenzelma, Ayertena, Maraki & North-East Expansion Kebeles
Gish Abay Sub-City
Giyon, Selamber, Hidase & Abnet Kebeles
Fasilo Sub-City
Kebele 01, Kebele 02, Kebele 03 & Kebele 04
The Leaders of Bahir Dar: From Administrators to Mayors
A comprehensive chronicle honoring the 26 mayors and city administrators who guided Bahir Dar from 1934 E.C. (1942 G.C.) to the present day.
Dejazmach Gila Woldegiyorgis
City Administrator
Balambaras Werkneh Kasa
City Administrator
Mezgebu Tibebu
City Administrator
Fitawrari Hailemaryam W/Kidan
City Administrator
Ato Belay Kebede
City Administrator
Meto Aleka Abayneh Isa
City Administrator
Ato Werqu Mersha
City Administrator
Ato Bekele Anley
Transitional Administrator
Ato Nibretu Genetu
Transitional Administrator
Ato Debasu Mengistu
Regional Capital Administrator
Ato Gezu Eshetu
City Administrator
Ato Awelachew Wube
City Administrator
Ato Keralem Sallew
City Administrator
Ato Tefera Tadios
City Administrator
Ato Getahun Berhanu
City Administrator
Ato Marye Kefyalew
City Administrator
Ato Yayehadis
City Administrator
Ato Alemayehu Sewagene
Administrator / Mayor
Ato Simachew Wondimagegne
City Mayor
Ato Lake Ayalew
City Mayor
Ato Ayenew Belay
City Mayor
Ato Muluken Ayehu
City Mayor
Dr. Mehari Taddese (PhD)
City Mayor
Dr. Dires Sahlu (PhD)
City Mayor
Ato Goshu Endalamaw
Incumbent City Mayor
Discover & Experience Beautiful Bahir Dar!
Lake Tana’s medieval island sanctuaries, the majesty of Blue Nile Falls, palm boulevards, and Ethiopian hospitality.