Month guide · Riyadh · Saudi Arabia
Riyadh in May
What May 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
May is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 39°C (102°F), lows of 26°C (79°F), about 2 rainy days and roughly 13.3 hours of daylight. Very hot and dry; museums and malls are the best daytime options.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 39°C (102°F) / 26°C (79°F)
- Rainy days
- About 2
- Daylight
- About 13.3 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Riyadh: days average 39°C (102°F) against a yearly average high of 33°C (91°F), and nights fall to about 26°C (79°F). Rain falls on roughly 2 of its 31 days. Compared with April (33°C (91°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 43°C (109°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:09
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:30
- Daylight
- About 13.3 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, May rates 2 for crowds (the peak is December at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in December). That makes May one of the better-value months to book.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Riyadh, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Ad Diriyah
Bujairi Terrace
Reserve a terrace table facing At-Turaif for sunset, especially on Thursday and Friday evenings.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Food
- Couples
- After dark
- Views
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
What to pack
For highs near 39°C, lows near 26°C and 2 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Riyadh?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, November–March are better overall. Compare every month.
Riyadh in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Riyadh?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Very hot and dry; museums and malls are the best daytime options.
+How warm is Riyadh in May?
Average highs are around 39°C (102°F) and lows around 26°C (79°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Riyadh in May?
Expect rain on about 2 days of the month, so it is usually dry.