With diverse landscapes, delectable cuisines, and vastly rich history- Saudi Arabia has never failed to captivate traveller’s attention. Dotted with vibrant cultural and heritage sites; Saudi is a worthy addition to a traveller’s bucket list.
What is the best time to visit Saudi Arabia, is a question that comes to every visitor’s mind. So read this blog to know which month is going to be the best time for you to travel to this wonderful country.
Best Time of the Year to Visit Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for followers of Islam due to the presence of multiple sites and landmarks including Mecca. And the best time to visit here is between November and February. That’s because the weather in Saudi Arabia in these months is the coldest of the entire year.
What is the cheapest time to visit Saudi Arabia?
Summer in Saudi Arabia is always considered the cheapest time to plan your trip here. June to August are the months when the mercury rises and the crowd gets thinner. Whereas April and May are the shoulder months for the country.
What is the best time to visit Saudi Arabia for Umrah?
Umrah can be performed throughout the year but the best time for this is during Ramadan Month. This is known to be the most pious month of the year for Islam followers. It is also said that people who perform Umrah during Ramadan get the fruits of Hajj.
Best Season to Visit Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia experiences two seasons; Summer and Winter (mild summer) and the rainfall remains minimum throughout the year. Both seasons have their own perks and you can decide to visit here according to your choices.
Where you get better weather and travelling experience during the winter; the crowd also remains higher. When it comes to summer, you get better discounts, no long queues, but dry weather. Let’s have a look at the best seasons in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia in Summer
The country experiences extreme conditions between April and October and this is the summer season. The average temperature remains between 19°C to 43°C throughout these months. There are multiple places that you can explore and many activities to enjoy including boating, camping, and hiking.
Saudi Arabia in Winter
There is no rainy Season in the country, and the other season you get to experience here is winter. This is considered the best season to visit Saudi Arabia for a lot of reasons, one of which is balmy weather.
A Month-By-Month Guide To Visiting Saudi Arabia
Now, let’s have a look at the month-by-month guide to visiting this country so that you can make your plans better.
Saudi Arabia in January
January is the coldest month of the year in Saudi Arabia. The temperature during the entire month remains cool, pleasant, and balmy. This is the ideal time to explore the entire country (or at least a few major cities here.) The temperature remains between 8°C and 20°C throughout the month.
January is known to be the best time to travel to Saudi Arabia also because you get a chance to enjoy multiple outdoor activities including desert safaris, dune bashing, camel riding, and sandboarding. And the cooler temperature makes it even more enjoyable for people who indulge in these or other offered activities in multiple cities of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia in February
February is also a cool month here in Saudi Arabia that opens up the chances of an enjoyable visiting experience. People love to indulge themselves in multiple outdoor activities. February can also be a good time if you wish to attend events and festivals anywhere in the country. During the entire month, you get the opportunity to attend various exhibitions and cultural festivals.
You can also spend time shopping and savouring the local cuisines in various cities. Soak yourself in the spiritual atmosphere around Mecca and Medina and other sites. If you are also unable to decide when to visit Saudi Arabia just make your plans for February. You can expect the temperature to be between 10°C and 23°C.
Saudi Arabia in March
It is from March that the temperature starts to rise, although throughout this month you won’t see any spike. The temperature during March shuttles between 14°C and 28°C with cooler evenings. The average rainfall throughout the month remains at 31 mm. During this month, you can explore the best cities of Saudi Arabia without any discomfort, either during the day or the night.
If you are an explorer thinking “when to visit Saudi Arabia” then March is your answer. At multiple places, you will see blooming flowers and greenery in this month. Also, March is the transition month where winters are about to end and summers approach rapidly.
Saudi Arabia in April
April is the beginning of warmer days and nights. It is the month that receives the second-highest rainfall in the entire year. If you are planning on visiting Saudi in April, then the best area will be alongside the coastal region. The cool breeze from the Red Sea makes the weather around the coastal areas quite cooler. Also the temperature shuttles between 19°C and 33°C.
During this month, you get to see a huge crowd in coastal areas like Yanbu and Jeddah. Enjoying the beautiful beaches and clear water; makes your time in the country so much more pleasing. Travellers indulge more in water activities like snorkelling, diving, and swimming.
Saudi Arabia in May
May might be hotter than the other previous months but that doesn’t keep people away from visiting Saudi Arabia. There are scanty rainfalls during the entire month and the average of it remains close to 10 mm. All the tourists making their way to Saudi during May prefer enjoying outdoor excursions during the evenings and early mornings; when the temperature is cool.
Apart from that, when you arrive in Saudi Arabia in May, you will get to see a huge crowd in the coastal areas of the country. People enjoy watersports and desert excursions during the cooler hours of the day. Desert camps, camel safari, sandboarding, and desert safari are still done by the visitors, but in the evening or morning. The temperature throughout this month remains between 24°C to 39°C.
Saudi Arabia in June
Although the temperature during the daytime in June in Saudi Arabia remains high, enjoying indoor games and experiences is still a thing here. People visit here to enjoy the beaches and coastal areas of the country. Cities alongside the Red Sea become the prime attraction for visitors and they enjoy their time with their friends and families. The approximate temperature of Saudi Arabia during the entire month remains between 26°C and 42°C.
June is also the best time to visit Saudi Arabia for those who want to enjoy water activities. Tourists mainly indulge in exploring the art galleries, museums, and shopping malls of the major cities of Saudi Arabia. Apart from this, you also have the opportunity to enjoy all the water activities offered in the country.
Saudi Arabia in July
This is the peak summer season in Saudi Arabia and the least crowded month as well. You can enjoy limited outdoor activities during the entire month and that too during the evenings or mornings. While you are visiting here during July, make sure to be a part of the cultural events that happen at multiple places. You can expect the temperature to be between 27°C to 43°C.
Don’t skip exploring the local and traditional marketplaces. Go out in the city to enjoy savouring local delicacies. At some eateries, you will also get a chance to catch some dance and musical experiences. And then this allows you to understand and immerse yourself in the cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia in August
Although visitors avoid any outdoor activities in August, the country has a plethora of amazing indoor things to offer. Visiting the art galleries and shopping for souvenirs is one of the best things to do in Saudi Arabia during August. The high temperature during the day forces people to stay indoors.
Yet again most of the tourists could be found flocking around the coastal areas of the country. Relaxing at the beaches and indulging in snorkelling, swimming, and diving. Make sure to explore the local markets for buying souvenirs. Also the temperature remains between 27°C to 43°C.
Saudi Arabia in September
From September the weather starts to cool off a bit where the average temperature shuttles between 24°C and 40°C throughout the day. The temperature becomes moderate and visitors from across the globe start planning their trips here. Multiple cultural and traditional events and festivals are also celebrated in many cities in Saudi Arabia.
If you wish to enjoy the best of both worlds, then September is the ideal or best time to travel to Saudi Arabia. You can enjoy the moderate temperatures during the days to explore cities and attractions. Also, you get numerous opportunities to enjoy multiple activities during the night.
Saudi Arabia in October
October is the time when you get to enjoy moderate temperatures and salubrious weather throughout the day. In this month, not only the coastal areas but other cities also get a huge crowd from many countries. People visit here to enjoy the festivals, food, and activities that are on offer. It marks the beginning of the peak season and by the last week of October, cities get crowded with tourists.
Visitors can enjoy every bit of their time indulging in a variety of things. From hiking to camping, dune bashing to desert safari, everything is available throughout the day and evenings. If it makes you happy, don’t miss out on exploring the vibrant markets, iconic landmarks, and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Madain Saleh. The temperature in October is approximately between 19°C and 35°C.
Saudi Arabia in November
November is officially the beginning of the peak tourist season in Saudi Arabia. It is the best time to visit the country and enjoy every bit of what is on offer. This is the month when you explore the entire geographical area of Saudi to explore and experience. The comfortable temperature makes it an excellent time to enjoy outdoor activities too.
If you visit the coastal regions of the country, you can relax and rejuvenate yourself in the balmy weather. You can also be prepared to experience light rainfall which on average is around 5 mm throughout the month. Lastly, you can expect a comfortable temperature between 14°C and 28°C.
Saudi Arabia in December
Relatively cooler, better, and crowded than November, Saudi Arabia becomes a hotspot for adventure seekers and many honeymooners too. The amount of rainfall throughout the month increases to 13 mm which further improves and makes the weather comfortable. The temperature remains between 9°C and 22°C which is perfect for some exploration.
While visiting Saudi Arabia during this month it is advised to carry light layers of clothes to make yourself comfortable during the night. You can also enjoy camping and open-roof feasting during the evenings and nights. At multiple places, visitors can enjoy music and dance performances to elevate their visiting experience.
Conclusion
Irrespective of the month or season you pick to visit Saudi Arabia; the country offers lovely beaches, engaging cities, shopping complexes, and multiple mouth-watering cuisines to savour. From sandboarding to camel safaris, there is no dearth of variety in activities to do in Saudi Arabia around the year.
Read Also: Best time to visit Bali | Best time to visit Dubai | Best time to visit Thailand
FAQs for the Best time to visit Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a safe country that welcomes its visitors with warm hearts. The government has taken multiple measures to make things safer for people visiting the country. In fact, solo women travellers also visit here multiple times from different countries and find no safety issues
There is actually no rainy season in Saudi Arabia, rather it has just two seasons that we have talked about. Also, March and April are two months when you get to experience the most rainfall in Saudi.
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