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Yirgalem

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

City

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Practical info — Yirgalem

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

Yirgalem is surrounded by lush coffee plantations; take time to explore the surrounding greenery.
The town has a relaxed, provincial feel compared to nearby Hawassa; it's great for a slower pace.
Hire a local guide to visit nearby coffee cooperatives to see the processing of Sidama coffee.
Expect frequent rain showers, even outside the main rainy season, due to the dense forest environment.

🍽 Food

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Sidama Coffee

Some of the best coffee in the world; drink it locally brewed at any small cafe.

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Bulla Porridge

A hearty porridge made from the enset plant, typical of the Sidama region.

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Fresh Papaya

Enjoy incredibly sweet papayas sold at the local market.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

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Coffee Beans

Buy unroasted or locally roasted coffee beans directly from the source.

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Yirgalem Market

A bustling market where you can find local fruits, vegetables, and traditional woven items.

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Aregash Lodge Surroundings

Even if not staying there, the forested area around the lodge is beautiful for a quiet walk, often with hyena and monkey sightings.

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Coffee Forest Trails

Walk along the dirt paths winding through the dense, shade-grown coffee farms.

Yirgalem, formerly known as Dilla or Abosto, is a historical town in the Sidama Region of southern Ethiopia. Situated at an elevation of approximately 1,770 meters, it served as the capital of the former Sidamo Province until 1968, when the administrative seat was moved to Awasa. The town is surrounded by lush vegetation and is considered one of the primary centers for the cultivation of high-quality Sidamo coffee. Geographically, Yirgalem is located near the Gidabo River and benefits from fertile volcanic soils. The town's economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, with coffee, enset (false banana), and various fruits being the main products. The architectural style and urban structure reflect the colonial era of the Italian occupation as well as subsequent Ethiopian urban development. Yirgalem remains an important commercial hub in southern Ethiopia, preserving a rich cultural identity of the Sidama people.

Location: Ethiopia
Nearby: Lake Awasa (26 km)
Population: ~81.600 (2024)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	16	17	18	17	16	15	15	15	15	15	15	15
Rain mm	20	39	96	219	214	114	132	174	167	141	83	33

Geography

Population

81,600 (2024)

Coordinates

6.75000, 38.41670

Facts

Yirgalem is situated at an elevation of 1,776 meters above sea level.
The town was an administrative center during the Italian occupation from 1936 to 1941.
Yirgalem Hospital was founded in 1957 with support from the Norwegian Mission.
The region is famous for the cultivation of the 'Sidamo' coffee bean variety.
Yirgalem is located approximately 40 kilometers south of the regional capital, Awasa.
The town enjoys a mild climate with an average temperature of around 20°C.