Month guide · Riyadh · Saudi Arabia
Riyadh in April
What April is really like in Riyadh: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Francisco Anzola, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
April is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 33°C (91°F), lows of 20°C (68°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 12.7 hours of daylight. Hot afternoons; outdoor sightseeing moves to the morning and evening. Brief thunderstorms are possible.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 33°C (91°F) / 20°C (68°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 12.7 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in April
April is the 7th-warmest month in Riyadh: days average 33°C (91°F) against a yearly average high of 33°C (91°F), and nights fall to about 20°C (68°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 30 days. Compared with March (27°C (81°F)), April is warmer; by May highs climb to around 39°C (102°F).
- Sunrise (15 April)
- About 05:31
- Sunset (15 April)
- About 18:15
- Daylight
- About 12.7 hours
Winter (December–February). Mild, sunny days and cool to cold nights; peak season for events, desert camping and outdoor dining.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, April rates 3 for crowds (the peak is December at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in December). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in April
April has no major recurring festival in Riyadh, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in April
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Neighbourhood · Ad Diriyah
JAX District
A former industrial area of warehouses in Diriyah has been converted into an arts district with galleries, artists' studios, cinemas and cafés.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
- Free
Historic site · Ad Diriyah
At-Turaif District, Diriyah
Go in the late afternoon so you are walking the lanes as the mudbrick turns golden, then cross to Bujairi Terrace for dinner.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Castle · Deira and Al Batha
Masmak Fortress
This clay-and-mudbrick fort with four watchtowers was built in the 1860s and is where Abdulaziz Ibn Saud's men captured Riyadh in 1902, the event that began the founding of modern Saudi Arabia.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Kids
Viewpoint · Al Olaya
Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge
Go around sunset to see the city by day and lit up after dark in one visit.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- After dark
- Kids
What to pack
For highs near 33°C, lows near 20°C and 5 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is April a good time to visit Riyadh?
A shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, November–March are better overall. Compare every month.
Riyadh in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is April a good time to visit Riyadh?
It is a shoulder-season month. Hot afternoons; outdoor sightseeing moves to the morning and evening. Brief thunderstorms are possible.
+How warm is Riyadh in April?
Average highs are around 33°C (91°F) and lows around 20°C (68°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Riyadh in April?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.