Bahar Dar sits on the southern shore of the 3600 sq km Lake Tana. Nothing much happens in Bahar itself, apart from a bustling Saturday market, but there's plenty to see in the surrounding area.

Lake Tana is scattered with islands, many of which are home to monasteries. Some of these monasteries were built as long ago as the 11th century, and most were built before the 16th century. The most popular monasteries are Ura Kidene Meret, Kebran Gabriel (not open to women) and Debre Maryam.
Known locally as Tis Isat, the falls are over 400m wide and 45m deep. Because of a series of dams near Bahar Dar, they aren't as impressive as they used to be.

Bahar Dar is about 300km northwest of Addis Ababa.