Saudi Arabia in October

Heat easing late in the month; Riyadh Season and AlUla events begin.

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

  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 resortshot

  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, Taiffine

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

• Gulf coast · Dammam, Khobar, Al-Ahsafine

  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

Medium

Prices · Saudi Arabia

Medium

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen

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Rated best or good this month

• North-west highlands and desert

  Best weather of the year (AlUla, Hegra, Tabuk, Hail)

• Riyadh

  Heat easing; Riyadh Season events begin.

• AlUla

  Best months: Oct–Mar