Gondar

Gondar, in the northern highlands, was the imperial capital of Ethiopia for over two centuries, and its remarkable legacy, sometimes called the Camelot of Africa, is unlike anything else on the continent. Its UNESCO royal enclosure, the Fasil Ghebbi, is a walled compound of medieval-style stone castles, palaces and towers built by successive emperors, a striking fusion of Ethiopian, Portuguese and Indian influences. Nearby, the sunken bathing palace of Fasilides and the beautifully painted Debre Berhan Selassie church complete a rich imperial city.

What you actually see

• The Fasil Ghebbi - the royal enclosure of stone castles and palaces.
• Fasilides Castle - the great castle of the founding emperor.
• The bath of Fasilides - the sunken bathing palace, flooded at Timkat.
• Debre Berhan Selassie - the church of famous painted angels.

When to go

October to March, the dry season, for the best weather; the Timkat festival in January, when the bathing palace is flooded and crowds gather for the Epiphany celebrations, is an extraordinary time to visit. It is a gateway to the Simien Mountains nearby.

Honest expectations

It is remote, in the north, best reached by a short flight, and its castles, while remarkable and unique for Africa, are ruins that take some imagination. As a gateway to the Simien Mountains and a stop on the historic route, and for its unique African castles, though, it is genuinely fascinating.

Nearby

The Simien Mountains, Lake Tana and the northern historic route are within reach.