Month guide · Riyadh · Saudi Arabia
Riyadh in August
What August is really like in Riyadh: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Hamza A. Durrani, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
August is a month many travellers avoid. Expect average highs of 44°C (111°F), lows of 29°C (84°F), about 0 rainy days and roughly 13 hours of daylight. Extremely hot and dry, with the lowest hotel prices of the year.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 44°C (111°F) / 29°C (84°F)
- Rainy days
- About 0
- Daylight
- About 13 hours
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Lowest
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in Riyadh: days average 44°C (111°F) against a yearly average high of 33°C (91°F), and nights fall to about 29°C (84°F). Rain falls on roughly 0 of its 31 days. Compared with July (44°C (111°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs drop to around 41°C (106°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 05:28
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 18:28
- Daylight
- About 13 hours
Spring (March–May). Warming fast from pleasant March to very hot May, with occasional showers and dust storms.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 1 for crowds (the peak is December at 5) and 1 for hotel prices (highest in December). That makes August one of the better-value months to book.
Events in August
August has no major recurring festival in Riyadh, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in August
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Architecture · Al Olaya
Al Faisaliah Tower
Designed by Foster and Partners and completed in 2000, the 267-metre tower tapers to a point above a golden glass sphere that holds a restaurant and viewing area.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- Views
- After dark
Park · Ad Diriyah
Wadi Hanifa
Walk the stretch near Diriyah in the early evening from October to March, when temperatures are comfortable.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
Market · Deira and Al Batha
Souq Al Zal
Riyadh's oldest market, a few minutes' walk from the Masmak Fortress, sells carpets, antique coffee pots, swords, incense burners, oud and bakhoor incense, and the bisht cloaks worn by Saudi men on formal occasions.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- History
- Photo spot
Architecture · King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD)
King Abdullah Financial District
Arrive by metro to see the station interior, then walk the elevated pathways between the towers.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Free
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 44°C, lows near 29°C and 0 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Riyadh?
A month many travellers avoid. If your dates are flexible, November–March are better overall. Compare every month.
Riyadh in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Riyadh?
It is a month many travellers avoid. Extremely hot and dry, with the lowest hotel prices of the year.
+How warm is Riyadh in August?
Average highs are around 44°C (111°F) and lows around 29°C (84°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Riyadh in August?
Expect rain on about 0 days of the month, so it is usually dry.