Saudi Arabia is a desert country, so the weather is a real part of planning your Umrah, not an afterthought. The good news is that the holy cities are busy and well served all year round, with shade, cooling and water everywhere. Knowing what each season feels like simply helps you pack right and pick the time that suits you.
The two cities, briefly
Makkah sits in a valley and tends to be hot, with warm nights. Madinah is a little higher and drier, so it is often slightly cooler, especially after dark. Both are sunny almost every day, and rain is rare in either.
The year, season by season
December to February: the most comfortable. This is the cool season. Days are mild and pleasant, and nights can feel cold, especially in Madinah. It is the easiest weather for long days of worship, which is one reason these months are so popular. Bring a light jacket for the evenings.
March to April: warming up. Spring is warm and generally very pleasant, moving toward hot by late April. A comfortable time for most pilgrims.
May to September: the hot season. This is the real heat, with Makkah often above 40 degrees Celsius in the day. It is completely doable, and many pilgrims travel then, but you must respect the sun. Worship in the cooler early mornings and evenings, stay in the shade, and drink constantly. This is the time to be extra careful with older travellers and children.
October to November: cooling down. Autumn eases back from the summer heat into warm, pleasant days. Another comfortable window.
A note on Ramadan
Ramadan is the most spiritually rewarding time for Umrah, but it moves through the seasons. Because it follows the lunar calendar, it falls about ten or eleven days earlier each year, so one year it may be in cool weather and a few years later in the heat. If you are planning Ramadan Umrah, check which season it falls in for your year, and read our guide to choosing which ten days of Ramadan to travel.
Staying cool and well
- Dress light and modest. Loose natural fabrics breathe best.
- Carry a sun umbrella. Men in ihram cannot cover the head, so an umbrella is a simple, sunnah friendly shade.
- Drink water constantly, more than you think you need, and use the free zamzam coolers.
- Protect your feet. The marble can be very hot by midday, so keep sandals handy.
- Pace yourself. Rest in the cool of your hotel between prayers rather than staying out in the sun all day.
For the full list of what to bring for the weather and the worship, see our Umrah packing list, and if you are travelling with older parents, our guide to Umrah for elderly parents has extra heat tips.
When should you go?
If comfort is your priority, aim for the cooler months from late autumn to early spring. If a particular season or Ramadan matters more to you than the temperature, go then and simply prepare for the heat. Either way, we will help you plan around it.
Request a quote with your preferred dates and we will tell you honestly what the weather will be like and how to prepare.
