Best time to visit Arabia & the Gulf

The best time to visit Arabia & the Gulf is January to March, judged across 21 places; June to August are its low season.

in seasongoodnot its bestlow season

Updated September 2026 · Middle East & Central Asia · 21 places, each judged for what it is · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

Arabia & the Gulf month by month

MonthSeasonWhyBest places
Januaryin season2 wet days · before the heat · 25°C highsSalalah, Sur, Doha
Februaryin season2 wet days · before the heat · 26°C highsSalalah, Sur, AlUla
Marchin season2 wet days · before the heat · 29°C highsSur, Abha, Khasab
Aprilgoodbarely a wet day · before the heat · 33°C highsKhasab, Sur, Abha
Maynot its bestextreme heat · 38°C highs · best Dec–MarKhasab, Sur, Kish Island
Junelow seasonextreme heat · 39°C highs · best Dec–Mar · still good for beachesSalalah, Sur, Jeddah
Julylow seasonextreme heat · 40°C highs · best Dec–Mar · still good for beachesSalalah, Jeddah, Sur
Augustlow seasonextreme heat · 39°C highs · best Dec–Mar · still good for beachesSalalah, Sur, Qeshm
Septembernot its bestextreme heat · 39°C highs · best Dec–MarSalalah, Sur, Khasab
Octobernot its best35°C highs · best Dec–MarAbha, Salalah, Sur
Novembergood2 wet days · the heat has broken · 30°C highsSur, Khasab, Qeshm
Decembergood2 wet days · the heat has broken · 26°C highsSur, Fujairah, Salalah

In season: one of the region's three best months, and good in its own right. Low season: one of its three worst, and well below its best. The reasons compare each month with the region's own year and name the seasons on the ground — monsoon, autumn colour, hurricanes — where most of its places share them.

All 21 places in Arabia & the Gulf

Arabia & the Gulf — FAQ

When is the best time to visit Arabia & the Gulf?
January to March. In January: 2 wet days · before the heat · 25°C highs.
When is the low season in Arabia & the Gulf?
June to August. In June: extreme heat · 39°C highs · best Dec–Mar · still good for beaches.
Which months are in season in Arabia & the Gulf?
January to March — the months among its best that are also good in their own right.