Addis Ababa in September: a seasonal travel plan
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In september, the average daytime high is 20.7 °C and the night-time low is 11.3 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Choose a month
Selected month: September
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Addis Ababa
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 20.7 °C
- Nighttime low
- 11.3 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 181.0 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 24.0
- Daylight
- 12.2 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 20.8 | 11.8 | 8.9 |
| Days 11–20 | 20.7 | 11.4 | 8.3 |
| From day 21 | 20.5 | 10.8 | 6.8 |
What this month is like
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In september, the average daytime high is 20.7 °C and the night-time low is 11.3 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
There are 24.0 wet days on average, with about 181.0 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Average daylight is 12.2 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What to pack
Bring light daytime clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for cooler hours. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 20.2 °C, September — 20.7 °C, next month — 21.4 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 28.9, 24.0 and 9.0.
Things to do
Addis Ababa sits above two thousand metres, so the first days run slower: slopes take more effort and the air is dry. The centre gathers around Meskel Square and Piazza, the business quarter of Bole lies to the south and the Merkato market spreads west.
National Museum
The National Museum displays finds connected with Lucy along with collections on early hominids, archaeology and ethnography. Afterwards walk to Holy Trinity Cathedral, worth seeing for its stained glass and stone floors.
Entoto hill
Climb Entoto to the church and the eucalyptus woods for a view across the whole city. The road rises steadily and the air cools, so take water and keep an easy pace.
Merkato market
Merkato is a vast maze of stalls selling spices, fabrics and kitchenware. Stick to the main aisles, bargain calmly and leave any large purchase until the end of the walk.
Where to stay
Bole
Bole suits arrival day and business meetings: airport, hotels and restaurants are close. The district is modern and calm, though the historic centre is a drive away.
Piazza
Piazza keeps old arcades, shops and coffee houses, busy and lively by day. Evenings turn quiet and hotels are few, but museums and the university sit nearby.
Kazanchis
Kazanchis holds embassies, offices and cafés on wide streets, green and quiet. It works well for a business trip; markets and museums are a taxi ride away.
Getting to and around Addis Ababa
Taxis and a bus connect Bole Airport with the centre, a ride of twenty minutes or more depending on traffic. Minibuses run fixed routes across the city, and a ride-hailing app is easier for trips within a district. The centre is walkable, though pavements are uneven and crossings need attention.
Three days in Addis Ababa
Centre and museums
National Museum and Holy Trinity Cathedral in the morning, then lunch near Arat Kilo. Meskel Square and the arcades of Piazza take the afternoon.
Entoto
Head up Entoto in the morning for the church and the viewpoints over the city. Lunch on injera at a traditional restaurant afterwards, then rest after the climb.
Markets and ethnography
Merkato in the morning with a guide, then the spice and fabric stalls. The Ethnological Museum fills the afternoon, and dinner is in Bole.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24.1 | 7.6 | 12.6 | 2.5 | 11.7 |
| February | 25.5 | 9.6 | 34.2 | 6.8 | 11.8 |
| March | 26.1 | 11.2 | 47.4 | 10.4 | 12.1 |
| April | 25.2 | 12.0 | 112.1 | 17.1 | 12.3 |
| May | 24.9 | 12.1 | 98.8 | 16.4 | 12.5 |
| June | 23.9 | 12.3 | 159.9 | 22.7 | 12.6 |
| July | 20.7 | 12.0 | 289.0 | 30.2 | 12.6 |
| August | 20.2 | 11.8 | 304.1 | 28.9 | 12.4 |
| September | 20.7 | 11.3 | 181.0 | 24.0 | 12.2 |
| October | 21.4 | 8.6 | 51.0 | 9.0 | 11.9 |
| November | 22.0 | 7.2 | 21.9 | 4.4 | 11.7 |
| December | 22.9 | 6.8 | 10.2 | 2.9 | 11.6 |
Frequently asked questions
Addis Ababa: what is the temperature in September?
The average daytime high is 20.7 °C and the night-time low is 11.3 °C. Daytime is suitable for a longer walk around the city. Leave time for breaks and lunch along the way.
How many days with precipitation are there in September?
On average, there are 24.0 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 181.0 mm. Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What should I pack for walks in September?
Bring light daytime clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for cooler hours. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 20.8 °C; 11–20 — 20.7 °C; 21 to month-end — 20.5 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in September?
The average is 12.2 hours. Spread walks between the morning and afternoon, then leave the evening for dinner or indoor activities.
Is Addis Ababa worth visiting in September?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 20.7 °C and nights around 11.3 °C work for you. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
What can I do in Addis Ababa on a wet day in September?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Addis Ababa in September?
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Average daylight is 12.2 hours.