Best Time to Visit Addis Ababa
Ethiopia · Subtropical Highlands climate · Data averaged from 2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31 (5 years)
Recommended Months
Based on temperature comfort, low precipitation, and sunshine hours, the best time to visit Addis Ababa is:
December → November → January
December scores 72/100 — the highest-rated month for travel.
Monthly Ratings (0-100)
Scores are weighted: temperature comfort (50%), low precipitation (30%), sunshine (20%). Higher is better.
| Month | Overall Score | Temp Comfort | Precipitation | Sunshine | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52 | 58 | 78 | 0 | |
| February | 39 | 62 | 26 | 0 | |
| March | 33 | 66 | 0 | 0 | |
| April | 33 | 66 | 0 | 0 | |
| May | 33 | 66 | 0 | 0 | |
| June | 30 | 61 | 0 | 0 | |
| July | 28 | 55 | 0 | 0 | |
| August | 27 | 54 | 0 | 0 | |
| September | 27 | 54 | 0 | 0 | |
| October | 28 | 56 | 0 | 0 | |
| November | 53 | 56 | 86 | 0 | |
| December | 56 | 55 | 96 | 0 |
Monthly Temperature Comfort
| Month | Mean Temp | Comfort Level |
|---|---|---|
| January | 14.5°C (58.1°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| February | 15.5°C (59.9°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| March | 16.2°C (61.2°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| April | 16.1°C (61.0°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| May | 16.2°C (61.2°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| June | 15.2°C (59.4°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| July | 14.0°C (57.2°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| August | 13.9°C (57.0°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| September | 13.9°C (57.0°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| October | 14.1°C (57.4°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| November | 14.1°C (57.4°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| December | 14.0°C (57.2°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
Monthly Precipitation Rating
| Month | Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.4 mm | 6.8 | Dry |
| February | 24.6 mm | 7.6 | Dry |
| March | 71.9 mm | 16.2 | Wet |
| April | 121.4 mm | 21.8 | Very Wet |
| May | 99.9 mm | 20.2 | Wet |
| June | 159.7 mm | 26.6 | Very Wet |
| July | 336.6 mm | 31.0 | Very Wet |
| August | 294.0 mm | 31.0 | Very Wet |
| September | 192.9 mm | 28.8 | Very Wet |
| October | 52.1 mm | 13.2 | Moderate |
| November | 4.8 mm | 4.6 | Dry |
| December | 1.2 mm | 1.6 | Dry |
Monthly Sunshine Rating
| Month | Sunshine (hrs/day) | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10.9 hrs | Excellent |
| February | 10.8 hrs | Excellent |
| March | 10.6 hrs | Excellent |
| April | 10.3 hrs | Excellent |
| May | 11.1 hrs | Excellent |
| June | 10.7 hrs | Excellent |
| July | 7.8 hrs | Good |
| August | 8.9 hrs | Excellent |
| September | 10.4 hrs | Excellent |
| October | 11.2 hrs | Excellent |
| November | 11.3 hrs | Excellent |
| December | 10.9 hrs | Excellent |
Season-by-Season Breakdown
Spring (Mar-May)
Temperature: 16.2°C (61.2°F)
Rainfall: 97.7mm avg
Sunshine: 10.7 hrs/day
Humidity: 63.0%
Rainy Days: 19.4/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Temperature: 14.4°C (57.9°F)
Rainfall: 263.4mm avg
Sunshine: 9.1 hrs/day
Humidity: 81.5%
Rainy Days: 29.5/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Temperature: 14.0°C (57.2°F)
Rainfall: 83.3mm avg
Sunshine: 11.0 hrs/day
Humidity: 69.0%
Rainy Days: 15.5/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Temperature: 14.7°C (58.5°F)
Rainfall: 11.1mm avg
Sunshine: 10.9 hrs/day
Humidity: 54.5%
Rainy Days: 5.3/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
Based on our data-driven analysis, the best months to visit Addis Ababa are December, November, January, when temperatures are comfortable, rainfall is lower, and sunshine is plentiful. December scores 72/100, the highest-rated month.
What is the hottest month in Addis Ababa?
March is the hottest month with an average temperature of 16.2°C (61.2°F).
What is the coldest month in Addis Ababa?
August is the coldest month with an average temperature of 13.9°C (57.0°F).
When is the rainy season in Addis Ababa?
July is the wettest month with an average of 336.6mm of precipitation. Addis Ababa experiences about 209.0 rainy days per year. The driest month is December with 1.2mm.
What should I pack for a trip to Addis Ababa?
Packing recommendations depend on the season of your visit. Based on the climate data, pack lightweight, breathable clothing if visiting during the warm months (March is hottest at 16.2°C). For cooler months, bring layers and a warm jacket (August averages 13.9°C). A waterproof jacket or umbrella is recommended year-round as Addis Ababa receives 1366.0mm of annual precipitation. Sun protection is important, especially during months with high UV index.
Addis Ababa's altitude of 2,355 meters creates a subtropical highland climate with comfortable temperatures year-round. I've studied the data and found that the city experiences two rainy seasons, with the main rains from June to September. The best time for visiting is October to May, when the weather is drier and the city's cultural attractions are most accessible.
Data Source: Open-Meteo historical archive (2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31). Daily measurements aggregated into monthly climate normals. Coordinates: 9.03°, 38.75°. Timezone: Africa/Addis_Ababa. Last updated: 2026-07-30.