Harar sits at about 1,800 metres elevation and has a mild climate throughout the year — considerably more comfortable than the lowlands to the east and south. The two main rainy seasons are April to May and July to September; during these periods the roads into the city can be muddy and travel from Dire Dawa or Djibouti may be disrupted.
The best times to visit are October to March, when rainfall is low, temperatures are pleasant (typically 15–25°C), and the landscape around the city is green from the previous rains without being actively wet. The Islamic calendar determines the timing of major festivals — Eid and the mawlid of Sheikh Abadir both bring large numbers of pilgrims and a heightened energy to the old city.