Best Time to Visit Addis Ababa

At 2,355 metres above sea level, Addis Ababa enjoys a mild, consistent subtropical highland climate where daytime highs stay between 20°C and 25°C in almost every month of the year. What changes dramatically across the calendar is rainfall and the great open-air festivals of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The finest overall window to visit is late September through March.

Late September and Autumn (October to November) is the most magical moment in the Ethiopian highlands. As the summer rains end in mid-September, the hillsides around Mount Entoto turn brilliant emerald green and are carpeted with golden-yellow wild daisies known as Adey Ababa (Bidens prestinaria). On 27 September (28 September in leap years), hundreds of thousands of white-robed worshippers and brass choirs gather at Meskel Square for the UNESCO-listed Meskel Festival (Celebrating the Finding of the True Cross), lighting a towering pyramid-shaped bonfire (Demera) topped with daisies. October and November bring crystal-clear blue skies, zero rain and crisp 9°C nights.

Dry Winter and Early Spring (December to February) continues the long dry season (Bega), with nine to ten hours of daily sunshine and comfortable 24°C afternoons. On 19 January (20 January in leap years), the city celebrates Timkat (Ethiopian Epiphany): priests carry replicas of the Ark of the Covenant (Tabots) under embroidered velvet umbrellas in solemn afternoon processions from churches across the city out to the open meadow of Jan Meda near Sidist Kilo for an overnight vigil and morning blessing of the waters.

The Short Rains (March to May, Belg) and Long Rains (June to mid-September, Kiremt) bring warmer afternoons (up to 25°C) followed by periodic showers in spring, building to heavy daily afternoon downpours in July and August. Even during the wettest weeks of July and August, mornings often start bright enough for museum visits before you duck into a coffee house in the afternoon. Check what to wear in Addis Ababa before packing.