The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Riyadh. Temperatures rise (39°C) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Rain is virtually absent (3% of days) — ideal for planning without a backup.
May ranks 8 out of 12 months in Riyadh. Compared to April: +5°C daytime, 9 pts fewer rainy days, +1.2h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
9 · very high
protection essential
Feels like
dry air
2°
Daylight
13.2h of daylight
Air quality
poor
AQI 181
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Riyadh is November (9.3/10), 6.4 pts higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Riyadh
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Riyadh
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.
Country · Saudi Arabia
🗣️LanguageArabic
💶CurrencyRiyal saoudien (﷼)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘAt risk · 4/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate
📈Climate trend ⓘ+1.59°C/decade
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 44°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 20°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘApril · 12%
🏛️ City break
📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round
🚇Public transportGood
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Riyadh ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Saudi ArabiaTemperate climate with a 9.3 → 2.6 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
24.71°N · 46.67°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Riyadh?
November is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 16.0°C lows, 9.0h of sunshine and 8.0% rainy days. The months of November & March offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Riyadh get in November?
Riyadh averages 9.0 sunshine hours per day in November. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 9.0/10.
What is the rainiest month in Riyadh?
August is the most unfavourable month with August has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Riyadh in November?
In November, overnight lows reach 16.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Riyadh good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Riyadh scores 7.9/10 on average — Decent period conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains November with a score of 9.0/10.
When should you avoid Riyadh?
August is the most difficult month to visit Riyadh, with August has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Riyadh in May?
The average UV index reaches 9 in May in Riyadh (very high), with about 13.2h of daylight. Protection essential.