What is the best time of year to visit Saudi Arabia?

The best time to visit Saudi Arabia is October to March. Temperatures across most of the country range from 15°C to 25°C — ideal for outdoor sightseeing, desert treks, and heritage visits. November and December are peak tourist season with perfect weather and major events including Riyadh Season. According to the Saudi Tourism Authority, tourist arrivals peak in November and December.

How hot is Saudi Arabia in summer?

Saudi Arabia is extremely hot in summer. In June, July, and August, Riyadh and interior cities regularly exceed 45°C (113°F). Jeddah and coastal areas are slightly cooler but extremely humid. The only comfortable summer destination is Abha in the Asir Mountains, which sits at 2,200m elevation and enjoys temperatures of 18–24°C even in July.

When is Ramadan in Saudi Arabia in 2026?

Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin around February 17 and end around March 18, 2026 (dates are subject to moon sighting confirmation). During Ramadan, restaurants and cafes are closed during daylight hours, and eating, drinking, or smoking in public is prohibited. However, Ramadan also brings a unique and atmospheric evening culture with late-night markets, iftar feasts, and a spirit of generosity.

Best Time to Visit Saudi Arabia 2026

The best time to visit Saudi Arabia is October to March, when temperatures across most of the country range from 15–25°C. This is the conclusion of the Saudi Tourism Authority and is consistently borne out by visitor experience. November and December represent the absolute peak — perfect weather, Riyadh Season in full swing, and festive energy everywhere.

Month-by-month guide (Riyadh as baseline)

JanuaryBest

20°C high·8°C low

Cool, clear, ideal. Occasional rain in the north. Peak hotel rates.

FebruaryBest

23°C high·10°C low

Excellent. Ramadan 2026 starts mid-Feb — special atmosphere but some restrictions.

MarchGood

28°C high·14°C low

Warming up. Ramadan 2026 ends mid-March. Eid Al-Fitr festivities.

AprilWarm

33°C high·19°C low

Manageable. Sandstorm season begins. Coastal areas pleasant.

MayHot

39°C high·24°C low

Too hot for outdoor sightseeing. Indoors/evenings only.

JuneAvoid

44°C high·28°C low

Extreme heat. Not recommended except Abha mountain region.

JulyAvoid

44°C high·29°C low

Peak heat. 45°C+ common. Humidity in coastal cities is oppressive.

AugustAvoid

43°C high·28°C low

Still extreme. Domestic tourism to Abha peaks. Avoid Riyadh/interior.

SeptemberWarm

40°C high·25°C low

Cooling begins. Evenings become pleasant. Red Sea diving excellent.

OctoberBest

34°C high·20°C low

Shoulder season begins. Good value, manageable heat. Riyadh Season starts.

NovemberPeak

27°C high·14°C low

Ideal. Best month of the year. Riyadh Season peak. Winter at Tantora, AlUla opens.

DecemberPeak

22°C high·9°C low

Perfect. Cool evenings. All festivals and events in full swing. Book well ahead.

Season summary

Peak season: November – February

The best weather of the year across all regions. Temperatures are mild to cool (8–27°C). All major annual events and festivals take place. Highest hotel rates and occupancy — book at least 6–8 weeks in advance for popular destinations. Riyadh Season, Winter at Tantora (AlUla), and MDL Beast Soundstorm all fall in this window. According to the Saudi Tourism Authority, November and December account for the highest tourist arrivals of any months.

Shoulder season: March – April and October

March and April are warming up but manageable, with fewer crowds and better hotel prices than peak. October is an excellent value sweet spot — temperatures drop sharply from their summer highs and Riyadh Season begins. Red Sea diving is superb October–November when water temperatures are warmest.

Avoid (for most travellers): May – September

Saudi Arabia's interior in summer is inhospitable for outdoor tourism. Temperatures regularly hit 45–48°C in Riyadh, Madinah and inland areas. The Red Sea coast (Jeddah, NEOM) is slightly cooler but very humid. The sole exception is Abha in the Asir Mountains (elevation 2,200m), which stays at 18–24°C year-round and is popular with domestic tourists seeking cool summer air.

Regional climate variations

Region	Best months	Summer temp	Notes
Riyadh (interior)	Nov–Mar	44–47°C	Extreme summer heat; cool, dry winters. Very low humidity year-round.
Jeddah (Red Sea coast)	Nov–Mar	38–42°C	Hot and humid in summer. Warmer winters than Riyadh. Good year-round diving.
AlUla (northwest)	Oct–Mar	42°C+	Desert climate. Cool desert nights Oct–Feb. Winter at Tantora season: Nov–Mar.
Abha (Asir Mountains)	All year	22–25°C	Saudi Arabia's only cool-summer destination. Misty, green, refreshing.
NEOM / Tabuk (northwest coast)	Oct–Apr	38–40°C	Drier than Jeddah. Red Sea waters excellent for diving/snorkelling.
Al Khobar (Eastern Province)	Nov–Mar	42–44°C	Arabian Gulf coast. Very humid summers. Mild, pleasant winters.

Key events and festivals calendar

Sep–Mar
Riyadh Season
Saudi Arabia's flagship entertainment festival — concerts, sporting events, international acts, theme parks, and cultural shows across Riyadh's 14 entertainment zones.
Nov–Mar
Winter at Tantora, AlUla
AlUla's winter festival — world-class concerts at the open-air Maraya Concert Hall, heritage site tours, hot-air ballooning, and desert experiences. The most atmospheric event in Saudi Arabia.
December
MDL Beast Soundstorm
One of the world's largest music festivals, held in Riyadh. International headliners, multi-stage format, 700,000+ attendees. Book accommodation months in advance.
Feb–Mar 2026
Ramadan 2026
Expected Feb 17 – Mar 18, 2026 (subject to moon sighting). Daytime dining restrictions in public. Extraordinary evening atmosphere — late-night markets, iftar gatherings, and unique cultural access.
Mar 2026
Eid Al-Fitr 2026
Expected around March 20, 2026. Three-day public holiday. Festive atmosphere but some sites and restaurants may have irregular hours. Hotels in peak demand.
Jan–Feb
King Abdulaziz Camel Festival
The world's largest camel beauty pageant, held in Rumah near Riyadh. A uniquely Saudi cultural spectacle — camel races, Bedouin markets, and traditional Arabian Peninsula culture.
Nov 2034
FIFA World Cup 2034
The World Cup is deliberately scheduled for November–December to take advantage of Saudi Arabia's ideal cool-season weather across all 8 host cities.

Maryam Zafar Editor-in-Chief, Saudi Travel Hub · Full bio

Last reviewedMarch 2026