Season guide · Riyadh · Saudi Arabia
Riyadh in winter
December–February: 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
Mild, sunny days and cool to cold nights; peak season for events, desert camping and outdoor dining. Expect highs up to 23°C (73°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F), with about 7 rainy days across December–February. December–February are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- December–February
- Temperatures
- 9°C (48°F) to 23°C (73°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 7
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in winter
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C (68°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 3 | 10.8 h | 4/5 |
| February | 23°C (73°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 2 | 11.3 h | 4/5 |
| December | 22°C (72°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 2 | 10.6 h | 5/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 22°C (72°F) against a yearly 33°C (91°F), and 7 of the year's roughly 21 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in winter
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- January: Riyadh Season — concerts, shows and entertainment zones (usually continues through winter)
- February: Founding Day — national holiday with heritage events (22 February)
- December: MDLBEAST Soundstorm — large electronic music festival (usually December)
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 winter
- 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.
- Ushaiqer Heritage Village (About 2 hours 30 minutes by car) — Ushaiqer is one of the best-preserved traditional Najdi villages, with mudbrick houses, a mosque and narrow lanes surrounded by palm groves.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is winter a good time to visit Riyadh?
Yes: December–February are among the best months. Mild, sunny days and cool to cold nights; peak season for events, desert camping and outdoor dining.
+What is the weather like in Riyadh in winter?
Highs of up to 23°C (73°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F), with about 7 rainy days over the season.