Season guide · Riyadh · Saudi Arabia
Riyadh in summer
June–September: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Hamza A. Durrani, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Extreme heat with highs above 40°C; indoor sights and late evenings only, but the lowest hotel prices. Expect highs up to 44°C (111°F) and lows around 26°C (79°F), with about 0 rainy days across June–September.
Key facts
- Months
- June–September
- Temperatures
- 26°C (79°F) to 44°C (111°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 0
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in summer
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 43°C (109°F) | 28°C (82°F) | 0 | 13.7 h | 1/5 |
| July | 44°C (111°F) | 30°C (86°F) | 0 | 13.5 h | 1/5 |
| August | 44°C (111°F) | 29°C (84°F) | 0 | 13 h | 1/5 |
| September | 41°C (106°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 0 | 12.3 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 43°C (109°F) against a yearly 33°C (91°F), and 0 of the year's roughly 21 rainy days fall in these 4 months. Crowds rate 1/5 and hotel prices 2/5 on average.
What's on in summer
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- September: Saudi National Day — fireworks, flags and celebrations (23 September)
Make the most of the weather
Experience · Ad Diriyah
Bujairi Terrace
Across Wadi Hanifa from At-Turaif, this restored dining quarter has outposts of international and Saudi restaurants, cafés and terraces looking over the floodlit ruins.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Food
- Couples
- After dark
- Views
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
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
Day trips in summer
- Al-Ahsa Oasis (About 3 hours each way by train) — One of the largest oases in the world, with more than two million date palms, springs, the historic Qaisariya souq in Hofuf and the cave passages of Jabal Al-Qarah.
- Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn) (About 2 hours by car, including an off-road track) — North-west of the city, the Tuwaiq escarpment ends in sheer cliffs that drop hundreds of metres to an ancient desert plain.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is summer a good time to visit Riyadh?
It is a trade-off: Extreme heat with highs above 40°C; indoor sights and late evenings only, but the lowest hotel prices. The best months overall are November–March.
+What is the weather like in Riyadh in summer?
Highs of up to 44°C (111°F) and lows around 26°C (79°F), with about 0 rainy days over the season.