Emperor Haile Selassie considered moving the capital from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar – that says much about the city. Distinctively famous for its wide avenues, shaded by rows of rustling palms and range of colorful flowering trees, Bahir Dar is an attractive and well-planned city and one of the safest cities on African soil.
The city lies on the southern tip of Lake Tana at an altitude of 1830m above sea level, and it has been defined by some as the Ethiopian Riviera.
Clean and well-maintained, Ethiopia’s third largest city is a leading tourist destination, and part of Northern Historical Circuit. On March 18, 2002, Bahir Dar received an honorable mention at the 2000-2001 UNESCO Cities for Peace Prize in Marrakesh, Morocco.
