Saudi Arabia
AlUla in May
🔥 Hot seasonVery hot and mostly dry. Watch for extreme heat risk.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · sunglasses & hat
Why May scores 6.8What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort6.2
- !Very hot (39°C highs / 24°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point -0.2°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~0 mm rain)
- Air quality7.5
- ✓Moderate (PM2.5 ~22 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards8.5
- !Extreme heat: Average daily high 39°C
- Safety baseline5.0
- ·High caution
| May | Nov | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 6.8 Good | 9.1 Excellent |
| Season | 🔥 Hot season | ☀️ Warm dry season |
| High / low | 39° / 24° | 28° / 16° |
| Rain | 0 mm | 26 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 0° | dew pt 5° |
| PM2.5 | 22 µg/m³ | 17 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: al-Ula weather-station normals. Rainfall: al-Ula weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
Holiday weekA long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.
- Eid al-Adha 14–19 May · 6 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore AlUlaEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyA desert region in northwest Saudi Arabia with sandstone canyons and ancient sites, including the Nabataean tombs of Hegra. It has become the country's flagship heritage destination.
No major events on our calendar for May.
Coming up later
Winter at TantoraDate variesDates vary; usually December to January
Winter festival of heritage, music and culture.
Why go: The cool season is the best time to visit, but book early.
Where: AlUla Old Town and around AlUla
AlUla Arts FestivalDate variesDates vary; usually February
Festival of contemporary art and exhibitions in the desert.
Why go: Adds art installations to a visit; check dates before travelling.
Where: Sites across AlUla
Hegra
Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO site, with over a hundred Nabataean tombs carved into rock.
💡 Access is by guided tour only; book in advance.
Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil)
Huge natural rock formation shaped like an elephant.
💡 Go at sunset.
AlUla Old Town
Abandoned mud-brick town with restored lanes, shops and cafes.
Dadan and Jabal Ikmah
Ancient capital of the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms and a nearby canyon of rock inscriptions.
Maraya
Concert hall covered in mirrors that reflect the surrounding desert.
AlUla dates
The oasis is known for its date palms and many date varieties.
💡 Farms, markets and cafes
Kabsa
Spiced rice with meat, Saudi Arabia's national dish.
💡 Local restaurants
Saudi coffee
Cardamom-spiced coffee served with dates.
💡 Cafes and hotels
AlUla dates
Locally grown dates in gift packs.
💡 Old Town shops and farm stalls
Moringa oil
Oil from the native moringa tree, used in skincare.
💡 Shops in AlUla Old Town
Local handicrafts
Crafts made by local artisans, such as weaving and pottery.
💡 Shops in AlUla Old Town