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Lalibela, Ethiopia · Temperate

Lalibela in December: go or not?

Excellent time. Lalibela in December scores 8.8/10.

📅 Updated August 2026 🛰️ ERA5 · 10 years 📍 12.03°N · 39.04°E
⚡ This month's verdict
Go for it
Lalibela · December
8.8
10–23°
Temperature
2%
Rain
9h
Sun
🏛️ Heritage🌧️ Moderate rain☔ Indoor sights
Photo : Gerald Schömbs via Unsplash
The month in detail

What to expect in December

Even in winter, Lalibela enjoys 23.0°F. A real asset for escaping the European cold. Rain is virtually absent (2.0% of days) — ideal for planning without a backup. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if January (8.8/10) remains theoretically better.

December is the best month of the year in Lalibela. Compared to November: +2°F daytime, 7 pts fewer rainy days.

This month's conditions

What it's like in December

UV index
7 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
dry air
Daylight
11.3h of daylight
Air quality
fair
AQI 40
Compare

Is December the right month?

The best month in Lalibela is January (8.8/10), 0.0 pt higher than December.

See January →See all 12 months →
Context

Our verdict

Lalibela, holy town of Ethiopia in the Amhara region : 18,000 inhabitants at 8,200 ft altitude.

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

🎟️ Activities & tours · Lalibela

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

See all →
Affiliate link · GetYourGuide
Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.

Country · Ethiopia

🗣️LanguageAmharique
💶CurrencyBirr éthiopien (Br)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety Safe · 2/5
💰Cost of living Cheap · 2/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTemperate
📈Climate trend +1.71°F/decade
🔥Hottest monthFebruary · 77°F
❄️Coolest monthJuly · 66°F
🌧️Rainiest month August · 100%

🏛️ City break

📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
Indoor sights Year-round
🚇Public transportGood
Location

Where is Lalibela ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Ethiopia
Temperate climate with a 8.8 → 1.1 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
12.03°N · 39.04°E
Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Lalibela?
December is the best month with 73°F highs, 50°F lows, 8.6h of sunshine and 2.0% rainy days. The months of December & January offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Lalibela get in December?
Lalibela averages 8.6 sunshine hours per day in December. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.4/10.
What is the rainiest month in Lalibela?
July is the most unfavourable month with July has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Lalibela in December?
In December, overnight lows reach 50°F, while afternoon highs average 73°F.
Is Lalibela good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Lalibela scores 8.3/10 on average — Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains December with a score of 8.4/10.
When should you avoid Lalibela?
July is the most difficult month to visit Lalibela, with July has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Lalibela in December?
The average UV index reaches 7 in December in Lalibela (high), with about 11.3h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.