Month guide · Riyadh · Saudi Arabia
Riyadh in October
What October 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
October is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 35°C (95°F), lows of 21°C (70°F), about 1 rainy days and roughly 11.5 hours of daylight. Evenings become pleasant again and the events calendar restarts.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 35°C (95°F) / 21°C (70°F)
- Rainy days
- About 1
- Daylight
- About 11.5 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in Riyadh: days average 35°C (95°F) against a yearly average high of 33°C (91°F), and nights fall to about 21°C (70°F). Rain falls on roughly 1 of its 31 days. Compared with September (41°C (106°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 27°C (81°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 05:51
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 17:26
- Daylight
- About 11.5 hours
Summer (June–September). Extreme heat with highs above 40°C; indoor sights and late evenings only, but the lowest hotel prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October 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 October
- Riyadh Season — seasonal entertainment programme (usually begins in autumn)
- Riyadh International Book Fair (usually autumn)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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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
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Palace · Al Murabba
Murabba Palace
King Abdulaziz moved his court to this square mudbrick palace outside the old walls in the 1930s.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
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
What to pack
For highs near 35°C, lows near 21°C and 1 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Riyadh?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, November–March are better overall. Compare every month.
Riyadh in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Riyadh?
It is a shoulder-season month. Evenings become pleasant again and the events calendar restarts.
+How warm is Riyadh in October?
Average highs are around 35°C (95°F) and lows around 21°C (70°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Riyadh in October?
Expect rain on about 1 days of the month, so it is usually dry.