Trip planning
From cool winter evenings in AlUla to hot summer days by the Red Sea – here’s your guide to the best time to visit.
Written by Saudi Reiser
When is the best time to travel to Saudi Arabia?
For many Norwegian travellers, the answer is simple:
The winter months.
But Saudi Arabia is a huge country, and the climate varies significantly between Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, the mountains of Aseer and the coast along the Red Sea.
While Riyadh can be very hot in the summer, you can experience much milder temperatures in the mountainous areas around Abha and Aseer at the same time.
And while winter days in AlUla can be perfect for sightseeing, the evenings can become surprisingly cool.
This means that the best time to travel to Saudi Arabia depends on:
In this guide, Saudi Reiser goes through the climate month by month and shows which periods are best suited for different types of travel.
| Trip | Best time to travel |
|---|---|
| Classic tour | November–March |
| AlUla | October–April |
| Riyadh | November–March |
| Jeddah | November–March |
| Aseer | May–September |
| The Red Sea | All year, depending on activity |
For a classic round trip including Riyadh, AlUla and Jeddah, we generally recommend the period:
And especially:
This is normally the best period for:
The temperatures are more pleasant than in the summer, especially in the central and northern parts of the country.
But this doesn't mean that Saudi Arabia can only be visited in winter.
Summer can be a good time for:
It's therefore about choosing the right region for the right season.
Read also: Travel to Saudi Arabia – A Complete Guide for Norwegian Tourists
Saudi Arabia covers a huge area on the Arabian Peninsula.
It is therefore misleading to talk about a single climate for the entire country.
You will find, among other things:
Visit Saudi divides the year into four distinct seasons:
At the same time, temperatures vary greatly between the regions.
For many Norwegian tourists, winter is the best time to travel to Saudi Arabia.
The days are often mild and pleasant.
The evenings can be cool.
In some northern areas and mountain regions, temperatures can drop significantly, and in some places, it can even snow.
Winter is especially good for:
This is also a popular period for events and festivals.
Winter is a very good time to visit Riyadh.
The days are normally pleasant for:
However, the evenings can get cool.
Therefore, bring a jacket, especially if you are going on a desert excursion.
Winter also often coincides with large parts of Riyadh Season.
This can make the city extra lively.
Read also: Riyadh – The Best Things to See and Do in Saudi Arabia's Capital
AlUla is perhaps at its very best in winter.
Mild days make it pleasant to visit:
This is also the perfect time for:
But one thing surprises many:
The temperature drops quickly after sunset.
A jacket or a warm sweater is therefore essential.
Read also: AlUla – Complete Travel Guide to Saudi Arabia's Spectacular Desert Oasis
Jeddah has a milder winter climate than Riyadh and AlUla.
Its location by the Red Sea provides warmer temperatures.
This makes winter ideal for:
The evenings are often very pleasant.
For many Norwegian tourists, January and February are particularly good months to visit Jeddah.
Read also: Jeddah – Complete Travel Guide to the City on the Red Sea
January is one of the best months for a classic round trip.
This is a good period for:
Daytime temperatures are often pleasant.
The evenings can be cool, especially in the desert areas.
Pack both light clothing and a warm jacket.
February is also a very good month for travel.
The weather is still relatively mild in large parts of the country.
This is a good time for:
Northern mountain areas can still be cold.
Spring is a transitional period.
March can be very pleasant.
In April, the temperature begins to rise noticeably.
May can already feel like summer in several regions.
Visit Saudi states that nights in spring can drop below 15 degrees in the north, while central and southern areas are normally warmer.
Spring also sees more rainfall in some areas.
Sandstorms can occur more frequently.
March is one of our favourite months.
The winter chill begins to fade, but the summer heat has not yet arrived.
This is a very good month for:
Visit Saudi also highlights March as a good month for diving in the Red Sea.
The water is warm, while the air temperature is still more pleasant than in the middle of summer.
April can still be a fine month.
The temperature gets warmer, but many days are still pleasant.
This is well-suited for:
Towards the end of April, the heat can become noticeable in Riyadh and other central areas.
For many, May marks the start of the really hot period.
In the middle of the day, sightseeing can start to become demanding.
This doesn't mean that travel is impossible.
But the day should be planned differently:
early morning → break in the middle of the day → activities again late in the afternoon and evening
Coastal areas and mountain regions can be better alternatives than Riyadh and the most exposed desert areas.
Summer is very hot in large parts of Saudi Arabia.
Visit Saudi reports that the average temperature in large parts of the country is around 45 degrees in the summer.
In some areas, it can get even hotter.
Coastal areas like Jeddah can also have high humidity.
For a classic first-time round trip with a lot of sightseeing, summer would therefore not normally be our first choice.
But there are important exceptions.
Riyadh can become extremely hot in the summer.
In the middle of the day, long outdoor activities can be demanding.
This means that a summer trip requires more planning.
Activities should be scheduled for:
Riyadh has many modern shopping centres, restaurants, museums, and indoor experiences.
But the Edge of the World and other long outdoor excursions are significantly more comfortable during the winter months.
Jeddah is hot and humid in the summer.
Due to the Red Sea, the humidity can make the temperature feel more challenging than the thermometer alone suggests.
At the same time, summer is still a good time for:
Early mornings and evenings are normally best for outdoor activities.
The Red Sea can be an interesting destination all year round.
Visit Saudi highlights summer as a period when the warm sea makes it possible to enjoy activities such as:
This means that a summer holiday on the coast can work well if you plan your trip around the sea, resorts, and water-based activities.
This is a completely different type of holiday from a classic sightseeing tour through Riyadh and AlUla.
Read more about the Red Sea.
Aseer is one of the main exceptions to the extreme summer heat.
The region is located in the mountains in the southwest of the country.
Cities and areas such as:
are at a significantly higher altitude than much of the rest of Saudi Arabia.
Visit Saudi states that expected temperatures in Aseer are approximately:
This is dramatically milder than in Riyadh and many desert areas. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="2"}
Aseer also offers:
This makes the region a very interesting alternative for a summer holiday.
Read more about Aseer.
Taif is located in the highlands east of Jeddah.
The city is at a much higher altitude than the coast and has a milder climate.
This has made Taif a traditional summer retreat for Saudi travellers.
The area is known for its:
Taif can be a good option if you are travelling in the summer and want a break from the heat of the coast.
Read more about Taif.
In June, summer begins in earnest.
Riyadh and the central parts of the country can be very hot.
Better alternatives can be:
Sightseeing in major cities should be planned for early or late in the day.
July is one of the hottest months of the year.
This is not normally the month we recommend for a classic tour through Riyadh and AlUla.
But July can be well-suited for:
Visit Saudi specifically promotes Aseer, the Red Sea, Taif, and other higher or coastal areas as summer destinations. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="3"}
August is still very hot.
Desert areas can experience extremely high temperatures.
Again, we would prioritise:
This is also a period when you should be extra careful about dehydration and sun exposure.
September is a transitional month.
It can still be very hot early in the month.
Towards the end of September, the temperatures gradually start to become more pleasant in some places.
It can be an interesting period for travellers who want to visit just before the main season.
Autumn is when Saudi Arabia once again becomes very attractive for classic tours.
October can still be hot at the beginning of the month.
But as autumn progresses, the temperatures become more pleasant.
Visit Saudi describes autumn as a period with milder evenings and cooler air in the north and the highlands.
This is well-suited for:
October marks the start of one of our favourite periods.
Early October can still be hot.
But towards the end of the month, the conditions often become much better.
This is also when more seasonal activities start to get underway.
October is a good choice if you are looking for:
November is one of the very best months to travel.
The heat has subsided significantly in large parts of the country.
At the same time, the evening winter chill is normally less intense than later in the season.
November is very well-suited for:
If you ask us for one month that works well for a first-time trip, November is an excellent choice.
December is also a fantastic month for travel.
The days are often pleasant.
The evenings can be cool.
This is especially noticeable in:
Jeddah generally stays warmer due to its coastal climate.
December is very well-suited for a classic round trip.
| Month | General rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | Riyadh, AlUla, Jeddah |
| February | Excellent | Tours, desert, sightseeing |
| March | Excellent | Tours, the Red Sea |
| April | Good | Culture, cities, coast |
| May | Hot | Coast, highlands |
| June | Very hot | Aseer, Taif, the Red Sea |
| July | Very hot | Aseer, resorts, the Red Sea |
| August | Very hot | Aseer, highlands |
| September | Hot | The Red Sea, late autumn start |
| October | Good | Tours, AlUla |
| November | Excellent | The full classic itinerary |
| December | Excellent | Riyadh, AlUla, Jeddah |
Our recommendation:
Why?
October and April can also work well.
Summer is possible, but requires far more indoor activities.
Our recommendation:
Especially:
This is best suited for:
Bring warm clothes for the winter evenings.
Our recommendation:
This normally provides more pleasant conditions for:
Jeddah can be visited all year round if the main focus is on the beach, hotels, and the sea.
Aseer is different from the rest.
Spring and summer can be fantastic.
Especially:
The region's high altitude provides a much milder summer climate than Riyadh and many other parts of Saudi Arabia.
This makes Aseer a very interesting choice if you are looking for a summer holiday in the country.
The Red Sea can be visited for most of the year.
For diving and snorkelling, spring and autumn can be particularly pleasant because both the sea and air temperatures are good.
March is highlighted by Visit Saudi as a particularly good month for diving along the Red Sea coast.
But resort holidays and water activities can also work well in the summer.
For a classic first-time trip including:
we would prioritise:
October and April are also good alternatives.
This provides good conditions for both:
See our package suggestions for tours of Saudi Arabia.
Read also: Train Travel in Saudi Arabia
For the beach and the Red Sea, it depends on how much heat you enjoy.
Winter often offers:
Spring and autumn can bring warmer seas and still relatively pleasant temperatures on land.
Summer is best if you can tolerate intense heat and your main focus is on resorts and water activities.
Hiking in Riyadh, AlUla and the desert areas is best during the cooler months.
We recommend:
For Aseer, the picture is different.
Here, summer can be an excellent period due to the high altitude and milder climate.
Saudi Arabia is fantastic to photograph all year round.
However, the winter months often provide the best conditions for landscape photography because you can stay outdoors longer without the extreme heat.
AlUla is particularly beautiful:
Jeddah offers stunning sunsets over the Red Sea.
Riyadh provides stark contrasts between its skyline, the desert, and historic Diriyah.
Ramadan shifts every year because the Islamic calendar follows the moon.
This means that Ramadan gradually falls earlier in the Gregorian calendar from one year to the next.
Travelling during Ramadan can be a very interesting cultural experience.
However, the rhythm of daily life changes.
You may experience:
This requires a little more planning.
Saudi Reiser can take this into account when we arrange your trip.
Many people make the mistake of thinking that Saudi Arabia is always hot.
In the winter, you should pack:
If you are going to AlUla or the desert, bring something warm for the evening.
In the summer, sun protection is very important.
Bring:
At the same time, remember that your clothing should be respectful and appropriate for local norms.
When planning your trip, you shouldn't just look at the temperature.
Other factors are also important:
35 degrees in the dry air of Riyadh can feel different from 35 degrees with high humidity in Jeddah.
Similarly, a winter evening on the desert plateau can feel surprisingly cool.
If this is your first trip to Saudi Arabia and you want to experience:
we would choose:
In summer, we recommend looking specifically at:
Read also: What Should You See in Saudi Arabia? 15 Amazing Places to Visit
The most important point is this:
There isn't a single month when the whole of Saudi Arabia suddenly becomes a bad travel destination.
The country is too large and varied for that.
Winter is best for a classic tour.
Summer can be wonderful in the mountains.
The Red Sea can be enjoyed for most of the year.
And Aseer shows how different the climate can be just a few hours' flight from Riyadh.
The right solution is therefore not just to ask:
When should I travel?
But also:
Where should I travel at that time of year?
This is precisely where good planning makes a big difference.
Tell us:
Then we can help you choose an itinerary that suits the season.
A good trip to Saudi Arabia is not just about choosing fantastic places.
It's also about visiting them at the right time.
For a classic tour including Riyadh, AlUla and Jeddah, we normally recommend the period from October to April. November to March is especially pleasant for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
The summer is very hot in large parts of the country. Visit Saudi states that the average in many areas is around 45 degrees in the summer. Mountainous areas like Aseer are significantly milder.
It varies. Jeddah often has mild and warm winter days, while Riyadh and AlUla can have cool evenings. Northern areas and mountain regions can get much colder.
Yes. December is a very good month for Riyadh, AlUla, Jeddah and classic tours. Bring a jacket for the evenings, especially in AlUla and desert areas.
Yes. January is among the best months for sightseeing and tours. The temperatures are normally far more pleasant than in the summer.
Yes, but the destination should be chosen carefully. Aseer, Abha, Taif and the Red Sea can be good summer alternatives, while Riyadh and several desert areas become extremely hot.
October to April is normally best, especially November to March. The days are pleasant, but the winter evenings can get cool.
November to March is very pleasant for sightseeing. At the same time, Jeddah can be visited all year round if the main focus is on hotels, beaches and the Red Sea.
The mountainous areas in the southwest, particularly Aseer and Abha, have far milder summer temperatures than Riyadh and the central desert regions.
Know when you want to travel, but not sure which places are best? Let us know your preferred travel dates, and Saudi Reiser will help you create an itinerary that suits the climate and season.
kontakt@saudireiser.com+47 409 77 778Get a travel proposalThis information can change. Always check current requirements with the relevant authorities before you travel.
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