When to go · Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia in February
Great month. Warm and dry; Founding Day (22 Feb). In 2027 Ramadan starts about 8 Feb (check).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Crowds
- High
- Saudi Arabia
- Prices
- High
- Saudi Arabia
Verdict
Warm and dry; Founding Day (22 Feb). In 2027 Ramadan starts about 8 Feb (check).
Weather in February
- Najd (centre) · Riyadh, Diriyah, Qassim, Edge of the Worldbest weather
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, Hailbest weather
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.
Festivals and holidays
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.
Ramadan big impact
About 8 Feb – 9 Mar 2027 (lunar, moves yearly — check)
No eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight (non-Muslims too); restaurants open at sunset (iftar) and stay open late; shops close in the afternoon and reopen until 01:00–02:00; offices work short hours.
Founding Day
22 Feb
Public holiday for the first Saudi state (1727); events in Diriyah and Riyadh, traditional dress everywhere.
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 and prices
- Crowds · Saudi Arabia
- High
- Prices · Saudi Arabia
- High
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket
Where to go in February
Rated best or good this month
Najd (centre)
Best weather of the year (Riyadh, Diriyah, Qassim, Edge of the World)
Red Sea coast
Best weather of the year (Jeddah, Yanbu, the Red Sea resorts)
North-west highlands and desert
Best weather of the year (AlUla, Hegra, Tabuk, Hail)
Gulf coast
Best weather of the year (Dammam, Khobar, Al-Ahsa)
Pleasant; Founding Day on Feb 22.
Best months: Nov–Mar
Best months: Cooler months, Nov–Feb; dates for Hajj and Ramadan move each year
Best months: Nov–Mar
Best months: Nov–Mar
Best months: Oct–Mar