It can be a surprise to those who have never visited the Arabian Peninsula that the region has quite distinct seasons – and that for eight months of the year, the weather is pretty amazing.
The other four months – broadly late May through to mid-September – are hot, and June to August is when the temperatures hit their peak and creep over 40°C. The kind of hot that doesn’t encourage you to spend lots of time in the great outdoors.
However, the scale of Saudi Arabia means there are variations across the Kingdom. Riyadh and the wider region of Najd are the hottest parts, Jeddah is cooler but humid, and the eastern province is both hot and humid. But broadly the best months to visit are during winter, from November to February. As such, most – but not all – sporting events are held during winter, although indoor events like boxing and MMA can bleed into April and May.
And then there is Ramadan, the Muslim Holy Month, where there are strict rules on eating and drinking outside during the daylight hours. A visit during this time can be a deeply spiritual experience.
We've got everything you need to know about choosing the best month to visit Saudi Arabia.
November to March is the best time for outdoor activities
If you’re in search of outdoor adventures in Saudi Arabia, the best time to visit is winter, when temperatures hover around 25°C and nights are cool, even a little chilly. Considering that most Saudi hiking trails are either in the desert or the arid mountains with little shade, this is the only time you can really consider any serious walking tours.
Likewise for watersports. While it is slightly cooler on the coast than in central Saudi, the humidity on the eastern and western coasts can be extreme and during the hottest months, a dip in the sea can feel like swimming in a warm bath.
October to June is the best time for sporting events
Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events are coming thick and fast to Riyadh and unlike outdoor events, such as F1 and horse racing, organisers aren’t constrained by the heat. As such, Riyadh hosted its first-ever UFC Fight Night in June 2024 inside the air-conditioned Kingdom Arena. That said, the key season for Saudi sports is November to February, March at a pinch. Riyadh Season runs annually for six months from October to March and features a wide variety of live music performances, comedy and sporting exhibitions.
April to May is the best time for visitors on a budget
April and May are the shoulder months of the Saudi tourist season, a time when the mercury has already started to rise and hotel prices start to fall. For those who don’t mind the heat, they can be great months to visit the Kingdom. Hotels will be busy over the holiday weekend but Eid is an incredible time to be in any Muslim country.
Ramadan is a challenging time for non-Muslims to visit Saudi Arabia
For Muslim travellers, Ramadan is an incredible time to visit Saudi Arabia, particularly the Holy cities of Makkah (Mecca) and Madinah (Medina), and it's always a busy time in the Kingdom (the dates vary depending on the lunar calendar). Mosques throng with activity and families gather at sunset for picnics and barbecues after the final prayers of the day. For non-Muslims too, Ramadan can be an atmospheric and interesting time to visit Saudi or any Islamic country, especially after dark when the cities, parks and restaurants burst into life.
That said, the logistics can be a challenge. Eating or drinking in public during the hours of daylight is forbidden and strictly enforced, and while tourist-orientated hotels will likely make some sort of provision for non-Muslim guests, all restaurants will be shuttered.
June to August is the best time for brave visitors on a tight budget
The high summer in Saudi Arabia sees temperatures routinely go above 40°C and occasionally pushing 50°C. Saudis that can afford it tend to decamp to Europe or the US, and life for anyone who remains slows down – right down. Hotels that remain open offer rock-bottom rates to get tourists in the door, but bear in mind that many hotels and restaurants will close for the summer. Locals often head to the cooler climes of Aseer during summer.
