The lakes are the whole point of Debre Zeit. Five crater lakes — Bishoftu, Hora, Babogaya, Kuriftu, and Cheleleka — sit within a few kilometres of the town centre, all formed by volcanic explosions that left near-perfect circular craters. You can spend a full day driving between them or walking a circuit on foot.
The lakes are good for swimming, kayaking, and bird-watching. Several resorts offer day passes that include lake access, a meal, and the use of a kayak or paddleboard. The Hora and Kuriftu resorts on Lake Kuriftu and Lake Hora are the best-known.