When is the best time to visit Saudi Arabia?

The best time to visit depends on where you go. AlUla: February & March; Hegra: March & April; Jeddah: April & February; Riyadh: February & March.

Which month is best overall in Saudi Arabia?

Averaged across our 4 destinations in Saudi Arabia, the strongest months are February, March, December. Individual places can shift a month or two earlier or later — each destination page lists its own peak.

Which cities in Saudi Arabia does bestime.to cover?

We currently score 4 destinations in Saudi Arabia: AlUla, Hegra, Jeddah, Riyadh.

How are the Saudi Arabia travel scores calculated?

Every city is rated 0-10 per month using ERA5 climate normals - temperature, precipitation, humidity, daylight, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

Best Time to Visit Saudi Arabia: Weather by Month

01 · Saudi Arabia

About Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia fills most of the Arabian peninsula with desert, escarpments and long Red Sea and Gulf coasts, with Mecca and Medina at its core. Riyadh and Jeddah anchor the cities, AlUla's rock tombs and the Nabataean site of Hegra draw travellers, while the Empty Quarter, Asir mountains and Farasan islands add range. The cooler months from November to March suit desert and heritage visits; inland summer heat is intense, while the Red Sea coast stays warm for diving.

Did you know?

Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East by area and holds the two holiest cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina.
The kingdom opened to leisure tourism only recently, with new visas since 2019 and sites such as AlUla's Nabataean tombs and Diriyah.
The Rub' al Khali, or Empty Quarter, is the largest continuous sand desert in the world.

Weather

Saudi Arabia: weather by month

Warmest month: July (37°C). Wettest: January (38 mm). Best overall score: February (9.7/10).

Month	Avg temp	Rain	Sunny days	Score
January	15°C	38 mm	13	8.8/10
February	16°C	3 mm	21	9.7/10
March	21°C	14 mm	27	9.6/10
April	25°C	25 mm	29	8.3/10
May	31°C	5 mm	31	5.8/10
June	36°C	0 mm	30	5.6/10
July	37°C	0 mm	31	5.6/10
August	37°C	0 mm	31	5.7/10
September	33°C	0 mm	30	5.6/10
October	28°C	1 mm	26	6.6/10
November	23°C	4 mm	16	8.9/10
December	16°C	16 mm	13	9.1/10

Travel Tips

01Best time & timing: The strongest months are February, March, December: February peaks at 9.7/10, while September drops to 5.6/10.
02Weather & what to pack: 16°C and 3 mm of rain shape a typical February here. Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening.
03Crowds & value: Book early for February, the busiest stretch; November is the value window at 8.9/10.

Things to do in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.

FAQ

Frequently asked

When is the best time to visit Saudi Arabia?: The best time to visit depends on where you go. AlUla: February & March; Hegra: March & April; Jeddah: April & February; Riyadh: February & March.
Which month is best overall in Saudi Arabia?: Averaged across our 4 destinations in Saudi Arabia, the strongest months are February, March, December. Individual places can shift a month or two earlier or later — each destination page lists its own peak.
Which cities in Saudi Arabia does bestime.to cover?: We currently score 4 destinations in Saudi Arabia: AlUla, Hegra, Jeddah, Riyadh.
How are the Saudi Arabia travel scores calculated?: Every city is rated 0-10 per month using ERA5 climate normals - temperature, precipitation, humidity, daylight, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

Climate data: Open-Meteo ERA5 historical archive, the five most recent complete years (2021–2025). Scores are monthly averages for that window, not forecasts, and short-window precipitation can differ from longer-term normals. “Sunny days” count days with at least 6 hours of measured sunshine — they are not dry days.

Curated in Saudi Arabia