Visiting Saudi Arabia in January

For a full overview of all seasons, see our best time to visit Saudi Arabia guide.

January is one of the best months to visit Saudi Arabia — temperatures are comfortable across the country, two of the Kingdom’s most distinctive events are running simultaneously, and the heritage sites at AlUla and Diriyah are fully open. The one key fact: this is peak season, and accommodation at AlUla and Diriyah fills fast. Book at least 6–8 weeks ahead.

Weather by City

City	Avg High (°C)	Avg Low (°C)	Conditions
Riyadh	20	9	Dry, sunny, occasional morning fog; cool evenings
Jeddah	26	18	Warm coastal climate; pleasant Red Sea breezes
AlUla	20	6	Sunny days; very cold overnight — frost possible
Abha	16	5	Coolest major city; cold nights, clear days
Dammam	22	11	Similar to Riyadh; comfortable Gulf coast conditions

What’s On

King Abdulaziz Camel Festival runs throughout January in the Al Dahna desert near Buraydah, Al-Qassim region. This is one of the world’s largest camel events — camels are judged on beauty (head shape, neck length, lip size), with prize money in the hundreds of millions of riyals. The festival grounds include a large camel market where buying and selling takes place alongside the competitions. Entry to the festival is free. The scale is extraordinary: tens of thousands of camels, hundreds of competing tribes, and a surrounding village of tents selling traditional food and craft. Book transport from Riyadh — Buraydah is approximately 3.5 hours by road — and accommodation in Buraydah at least one month ahead.

Diriyah Season runs through January at various venues within the Diriyah historic district on the western edge of Riyadh. The season combines international concerts, heritage exhibitions, and food events against the UNESCO-listed mud-brick architecture of At-Turaif. Tickets for individual events range from approximately SAR 50 for cultural events to SAR 500 for headline concerts. Check the Diriyah Season official channels for the current programme — events are updated weekly.

Winter at Tantora (AlUla): The cultural festival continues through January at Maraya Concert Hall and across the AlUla valley. Maraya — the world’s largest mirrored building — hosts world music concerts and arts events against the backdrop of the Nabataean sandstone landscape. Tickets for concerts are available via alula.events, from approximately SAR 200 to SAR 800 depending on the artist. The festival runs January through March.

Riyadh Season continues through January at Boulevard World and other entertainment districts across the capital. Expect live performances, exhibitions, and theme park events.

Where to Go This Month

AlUla is the top January pick — the combination of Winter at Tantora events and ideal temperatures for Hegra visits makes this the best month of the year for Saudi Arabia’s most spectacular heritage site. Stay at Habitas AlUla, a camp-style resort set among sandstone formations in the Ashar Valley, for the best access to the landscape. Eat at the resort’s own restaurant or at Maraya Social, adjacent to the concert hall, which serves contemporary Saudi-influenced dishes. Book Hegra guided tours through our AlUla tours page — access to the Nabataean tombs requires a booked tour.

Riyadh is excellent for urban culture in January — the Diriyah Season is active and the city’s museums and souks are all comfortable in these temperatures. Stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh in Kingdom Centre for a central location with views over the city. For dinner, Najdi Village Restaurant in Al Nakheel serves traditional Saudi kabsa in a setting designed around Najdi architectural details — a reliable choice for experiencing local cuisine.

Jeddah offers the warmest January conditions on the coast — 26°C days make the Al-Balad historic district and Corniche promenade genuinely pleasant. Stay at the Park Hyatt Jeddah on the Marina for sea views and easy access to the waterfront. Eat at Al-Nakheel on the Corniche, the city’s best-known fish market restaurant, where you pick your fish from the counter and it is cooked to order.

Abha rewards visitors who want to see Saudi Arabia’s mountain scenery in cooler conditions — 16°C days are genuinely fresh and the highland landscape is clear of summer cloud. Stay at the InterContinental Abha for the best views over the Asir valley.

Practical Tips for January

• Book AlUla accommodation 6–8 weeks ahead — Habitas AlUla, Banyan Tree AlUla, and Shaden Resort are frequently fully booked through January’s festival season
• Camel Festival transport: rent a car from Riyadh or book a guided day trip — public transport to Buraydah is limited
• Cold evenings are real: Riyadh drops to 9°C at night; AlUla can see frost before dawn — pack a mid-weight jacket and a thermal layer for early morning Hegra visits
• Diriyah Season tickets: book through the official Diriyah Season app at least 1–2 weeks ahead for popular events; some events sell out within hours of release
• Ramadan falls approximately 11 days earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar. Verify whether Ramadan overlaps with your January travel — in some years it may begin in late January. See our practical guide for what to expect.

What to Pack

• Light layers for daytime (a t-shirt is fine in Riyadh at 20°C)
• Mid-weight jacket for evenings in Riyadh and Jeddah
• Warm jacket and thermal layer for AlUla and Abha (cold nights, early morning heritage visits)
• Comfortable walking shoes for cobbled Diriyah and sandy AlUla sites
• Sunscreen SPF 30+ (UV is still significant even in winter)
• Modest clothing for heritage sites and public areas — shoulders and knees covered

See Also

• AlUla 3-day itinerary — how to plan Hegra, Elephant Rock and the old town
• Riyadh city guide — what to see and where to stay in the capital
• Jeddah city guide — Al-Balad and the Red Sea Corniche
• Abha city guide — the Asir highlands in January