Saudi Arabia in December

Cool; peak for AlUla, Hegra and desert camping. Bring a layer.

• Najd (centre) · Riyadh, Diriyah, Qassim, Edge of the Worldcool

  Dry desert: 45 °C+ June–August, cold nights (5–10 °C) in January; dust storms March–May.

• Red Sea coast · Jeddah, Yanbu, the Red Sea resortsbest weather

  Humid all year; summer feels like 45–50 °C with the humidity. Winter is the only comfortable walking season.

• North-west highlands and desert · AlUla, Hegra, Tabuk, Hailcool

  Near-freezing desert nights in December–January (snow some years on Jabal al-Lawz near Tabuk); hot but dry summers.

• Asir mountains · Abha, Rijal Almaa, Al-Baha, Taifcool

  2,000 m+: the summer escape, 20–30 °C with afternoon storms and fog; cold in winter.

• Gulf coast · Dammam, Khobar, Al-Ahsabest weather

  Very humid summers; shamal winds bring dust in early summer.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Riyadh Season and other winter seasons

  Oct–Mar (dates vary)

  Concerts, boxing and events; hotel prices rise around big nights. AlUla, Diriyah and Jeddah run their own seasons.

• Friday prayer

  Every Friday

  Most shops closed until after midday prayer (about 13:00); malls open in the afternoon.

Crowds · Saudi Arabia

High

Prices · Saudi Arabia

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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Rated best or good this month

• Red Sea coast

  Best weather of the year (Jeddah, Yanbu, the Red Sea resorts)

• Gulf coast

  Best weather of the year (Dammam, Khobar, Al-Ahsa)

• Riyadh

  Cool; bring a layer for the evenings.

• Jeddah

  Best months: Nov–Mar

• Mecca

  Best months: Cooler months, Nov–Feb; dates for Hajj and Ramadan move each year

• Medina

  Best months: Nov–Mar

• Dammam

  Best months: Nov–Mar

• AlUla

  Best months: Oct–Mar