May · Ethiopia
Best time to visit Addis Ababa in May Weather, crowds & prices
Weather in Addis Ababa in May
Average temperature 19°C, 63 mm of rain, about 31 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 64% humidity — based on the five most recent complete years of ERA5 data (2021–2025).
May score
8.9/10
Ranked #5 of 12 months
- Avg temp
- 19°C
- Rainfall
- 63 mm
- Humidity
- 64%
- Days with 6h+ sun
- 31
- Crowd Density
- Moderate Crowds
- Average Expenses
- $$ · Moderate Cost ($$)
May in Addis Ababa scores 8.9/10 for sightseeing and cultural travel - an above-average month (#5 of 12). Expect around 19°C, 63 mm of rain, and roughly 31 days with 6+ hours of sunshine this month.
Addis Ababa sits high in the Ethiopian highlands, with museums, coffee ceremonies, and Africa's diplomatic quarter.
May ranks 5th of 12 for Addis Ababa — one of the best windows
Temperatures hover around 19°C (65°F) — the kind of month where neither heat nor cold forces the schedule.
Budget for roughly 63 mm of rain this month — a flexible day or two helps — with about 31 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 12.4 hours of daylight to work around it.
On our climate-comfort scale this is one of the strongest months of the year for Addis Ababa at 8.9/10 (5th of 12), just behind January at 9.8/10.
Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening, a packable rain layer.
Budget for mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.
Frequently asked
- What is the weather like in Addis Ababa in May?
- In May, Addis Ababa averages 19°C, 63 mm of rain, and about 31 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Its climate-comfort score is 8.9/10.
- Is May a good time to visit Addis Ababa?
- May earns a 8.9/10 climate-comfort score. Use the year-round chart to weigh the weather against your budget and crowd preferences.
- How much does it rain in Addis Ababa in May?
- Expect about 63 mm of rain in May. Average humidity is 64% and there are about 31 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
Curated in Addis Ababa
Tickets & experiences
Things to do in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.