Rawalpindi Weather in December

December weather

December is one of the best months to visit Rawalpindi, and it earns an Excellent 10/10 on our comfort score. Afternoons reach about 20°C, while mornings and evenings drop to around 8°C, so you'll want a jacket after dark. Rain is light, with about 31 mm over two days, and there's plenty of sun for walking around Raja Bazaar or exploring the old city.

Daylight is the trade-off. With only about 9.8 hours of it, you'll have less time for outdoor stops, so save Ayub National Park for the brighter part of the day. Don't count on a warm evening outdoors either. The weather suits sightseeing better than swimming or long, exposed hikes. November to January is the best stretch overall, and December sits in the middle of it. November is a little warmer, and January is cooler and wetter, with about 53 mm of rain.

Christmas and holiday crowds

Christmas is marked by Rawalpindi's Christian community, with services at St Joseph's Cathedral on Murree Road. December 25 is also Quaid-e-Azam Day, a public holiday honouring Pakistan's founder. Some offices and shops may close, so check locally before you make a special trip.

Even without a major festival, Raja Bazaar can feel busy, so if crowds bother you, go on an ordinary weekday rather than a holiday. Rawalpindi generally doesn't draw the same tourist numbers as Islamabad's best-known sights, which helps. Prices may be firmer than in the hotter summer months, though don't expect a dramatic jump.

Getting around

Mild afternoons make December a good time for the Pakistan Army Museum, followed by a meal in Saddar. Try chapli kebab, a spiced minced-meat patty, at a local restaurant. It's a satisfying choice on a cool evening.

Travelling with kids? Ayub National Park has open space for a daytime break, but head back before the light fades. For getting across town, use the Metrobus on Murree Road to reach Saddar or the Faizabad interchange, then take a short rickshaw ride to St Joseph's Cathedral. Traffic around Murree Road can make that last stretch slower than it looks on a map.