When to go · Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia in November
Great month. Comfortable everywhere except Asir nights; busy with festivals and conferences.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Crowds
- High
- Saudi Arabia
- Prices
- High
- Saudi Arabia
Verdict
Comfortable everywhere except Asir nights; busy with festivals and conferences.
Weather in November
- 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 resortsfine
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.
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 November
Rated best or good this month
Najd (centre)
Best weather of the year (Riyadh, Diriyah, Qassim, Edge of the World)
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)
Comfortable; busy with events.
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