Saudi Arabia covers most of the Arabian Peninsula: a vast desert interior with the capital, Riyadh, at its centre, a long Red Sea coast with coral reefs, green mountains in the south-west and sandstone landscapes full of ancient tombs in the north. It has opened up to tourism relatively recently, so many sites are new to international visitors. The clock is simple, one time zone all year; the heat is what decides when to go.
Saudi Arabia for visitors
Riyadh is a large, modern city spread across the plateau of Najd. Its main sights are the restored mud-brick district of At-Turaif in Diriyah, on the city's edge, the Masmak fortress and the National Museum. A day trip west takes you to the Edge of the World, where the Tuwaiq escarpment drops away to the desert floor.
Jeddah, on the Red Sea, is the country's second city and its most relaxed. Its old quarter, Al-Balad, has tall houses built of coral stone with carved wooden balconies, and the seafront corniche fills up in the evenings. Jeddah is also the gateway to Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities in Islam, which are centres of pilgrimage rather than tourism.
AlUla, the Red Sea and the mountains
AlUla, in the north-west, is the highlight for many visitors: a desert valley of sandstone cliffs and rock formations, with the Nabataean tombs of Hegra carved into the rock, an old mud-brick town and dramatic places to hike and stay. The Red Sea coast has some of the least visited coral reefs in the region, with diving from Jeddah, Yanbu and new resorts further north.
In the south-west, the Asir mountains around Abha are high, green and much cooler than the rest of the country, with terraced villages and stone tower houses. On the Gulf coast, the Eastern Province around Dammam and Al Khobar is the oil region, and the Al-Ahsa oasis, with its huge palm groves, is the main sight there.
Getting around
Distances are very long, so domestic flights are the usual way to cover them. A high-speed railway links Mecca, Jeddah and Medina, and other main lines run from Riyadh east to Dammam and north towards Qassim and Hail. Riyadh and Jeddah are built for cars: taxis and ride-hailing apps are the easiest way around, and renting a car works well for road trips on wide, fast highways.
Time in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has one time zone, Asia/Riyadh, known as Arabia Standard Time. It is UTC+3 all year: there is no daylight saving time, so the clocks never change.
Right now Riyadh is 3 hours ahead of London, 1 hour behind Dubai and 1 hour ahead of Cairo. The gaps with Europe and Egypt change by an hour twice a year, when those places switch to and from summer time.
The weekend is Friday and Saturday, so Sunday is a normal working day. Daily prayer times move with the sun through the year, and some shops close briefly during prayers, so allow for that when planning errands. During Ramadan the rhythm of the whole country changes: working hours are shorter, days are quiet, and life moves into the evening and night, when families break the fast and shops and restaurants stay busy until late. Ramadan moves earlier through the calendar each year, so check the dates if you are planning a trip.
Climate and weather
Most of Saudi Arabia has a hot desert climate. The interior, including Riyadh, has long, extremely hot and very dry summers, and short, mild winters with cool nights. The coasts are just as hot in summer but far more humid, which makes the heat feel heavier in Jeddah on the Red Sea and Dammam on the Gulf. The north, around AlUla, Tabuk and Hail, has chilly winter nights. The Asir mountains in the south-west are the exception: much cooler, with more rain, some of it in summer.
In Riyadh, average highs range from 20°C in January to 44°C in August. Rain is scarce: the city gets about 100 mm a year, falling in short showers between autumn and spring, and in Riyadh April is the wettest month. Sunshine is abundant, with about 3,200 hours a year. The Riyadh guide has the month-by-month table.
- Riyadh
- Dubai
Show the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riyadh | 9.2 | 11.5 | 15.2 | 20.7 | 26.1 | 28.4 | 29.4 | 29.5 | 26.2 | 21.3 | 15.5 | 10.8 |
| Dubai | 15.3 | 16.4 | 18.6 | 22.3 | 26.1 | 28.6 | 31.2 | 31.5 | 28.9 | 25.4 | 21.1 | 17.3 |
Average lows show the difference between the dry interior and the humid coast. Dubai, on the Gulf, is as warm or warmer at night all year, while Riyadh's dry desert air cools off much more, especially in winter.
Dust and sandstorms are most common in spring and early summer, when strong winds can lift sand across the interior and reduce visibility for hours. Rare heavy downpours can cause flash floods in valleys and city streets. In summer, plan outdoor activities for early morning or after sunset; our guide to extreme heat explains how to cope.
Best time to visit Saudi Arabia
The cooler months, from about November to March, are the best time for almost everything: city sightseeing in Riyadh and Jeddah, hiking and camping in AlUla, and desert trips. This is also the season of the big winter festivals and events, so popular places such as AlUla can be busy and worth booking early. Desert nights in the north can be cold in December and January.
October and April are warmer but still workable, especially on the coast in the evening. From May to September the interior is extremely hot and the coasts very humid; the exception is the Asir mountains around Abha, which are at their best in summer, when Saudis come up from the plains to escape the heat. The Red Sea is warm enough for diving and snorkelling all year.
Travel during Ramadan is possible but slower, with many sights and shops on shorter hours. The Hajj pilgrimage, which also moves through the calendar, fills flights and hotels in Jeddah, Mecca and Medina.
Practical facts
- Capital: Riyadh.
- Population: about 32 million (UN World Population Prospects 2024, 2023 estimate).
- Currency: Saudi riyal (SAR). Cards and contactless payment are accepted almost everywhere, including in small shops and taxis; carry a little cash for souks.
- Language: Arabic. English is widely spoken in hotels, airports and business, and on road signs. As-salaam alaykum (peace be upon you) is the standard greeting, and shukran means thank you.
- Calling code: +966.
- Tipping: not expected, but small tips for good service are appreciated.
- Driving: on the right.
- Dress: dress modestly in public, with shoulders and knees covered, for men and women alike.
- Emergency number: 911 for the police, fire service and ambulance; 112 if you don't have a Saudi SIM card ([1]).
Plan your trip with hoyoopin
- Riyadh city guide: the desert climate month by month, summer heat and spring dust storms, the best time to visit, what to pack and how Arabia Standard Time compares with the rest of the world.
- World Clock: Saudi time next to your own and other cities.
- Weather: live conditions and the forecast for Jeddah, AlUla, Abha or any Saudi city.
- Asia: time zones and key facts for every country on the continent.
- Further reading: what the heat index means.
Frequently asked questions
What time zone is Saudi Arabia in?
The whole country uses Arabia Standard Time, UTC+3, with the IANA identifier Asia/Riyadh.
Does Saudi Arabia have daylight saving time?
No. The clocks stay the same all year.
What is the weekend in Saudi Arabia?
Friday and Saturday. Sunday is the first day of the working week.
When is the best time to visit Saudi Arabia?
From November to March, when days are warm rather than hot. In Riyadh, average highs drop to about 20°C in January.
How hot is Riyadh in summer?
Extremely hot and dry. In Riyadh, average highs reach about 44°C in August, and nights stay warm.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Saudi Arabia, getting help: 911 for ambulance, fire and police; 112 in an emergency if you do not have a Saudi SIM card.