Best Time to Visit Jeddah

November to March: the sweet spot

Winter is when Jeddah works best. December to February are rated Excellent, with highs around 30°C and cool-ish evenings. January comes out on top in our comfort score, though February is almost the same and drier. March is still Good, but afternoons start to feel properly hot.

This is the season for walking Al-Balad, the old coastal quarter with its coral-stone houses and carved wooden balconies. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can wander the lanes, stop for tea, and not feel cooked. The Corniche is also pleasant at sunset, when families come out to walk and the King Fahd Fountain is running.

Winter is also the busiest time for visitors, so expect fuller hotels and higher demand. Rain is rare, but November can bring a short, sharp downpour. Jeddah's drains cope badly, so a few wet streets can slow the whole city.

April to October: long, hot months

From May to October, every month is rated Poor. June is the hottest daytime month at 42°C. Nights barely cool down, and from July to September the low is 29°C or more. August has the warmest nights at 30°C. Humidity climbs in late summer, so the air feels heavy near the Red Sea.

April and October are the shoulder months, but they're hot too. April is Fair, with highs of 37°C. If you come in summer, plan your day around the heat. Do your sightseeing after sunset, when Al-Balad's souks (markets) and Corniche cafés come alive. Spend the afternoons in an air-conditioned mall or a hotel pool. Diving and snorkelling on the Red Sea reefs are still possible, but you'll want to be on a boat early or late.

Hajj, Umrah and Ramadan

Jeddah is the main gateway to Mecca, so religious calendars shape the crowds more than the weather does. Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage) goes on all year, and flights and hotels fill up around Ramadan and the days before and after Hajj. These dates move about eleven days earlier each year, so check them for your trip.

During Ramadan, many restaurants close in the daytime and open after sunset. Evenings are lively, with late meals and busy markets. Non-Muslim visitors can come, but Mecca itself is closed to them.

Travelling for a city break or food? Aim for winter, outside Ramadan. Want fewer people and don't mind the heat? Try late spring or early autumn, and keep your outdoor time short.