Summer in Saudi Arabia is an excellent break if you're coming from a cold place. While it's chilly in the southern hemisphere and high-altitude regions, Saudi days are sunny and warm. It’s the best time to enjoy nature, long drives, and open skies. If you spend your summer in Saudi Arabia, you can swap cold weather for cool mountain air and sea breezes. Plus, the roads are wide and easy to drive. Whether a solo traveler or with a group, you can easily start your journey by renting a car in Saudi Arabia.
While many countries offer beaches and resorts, Saudi Arabia offers more varied landscapes, rich culture, and epic road trip routes. Each region offers something new to explore, from breezy mountain towns to historic desert drives. Here are reasons why a summer road trip in Saudi Arabia is worth it.
Major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah can get sweltering in summer. However, you can drive to cooler highland regions like Abha, where misty mornings and mountain breezes replace city heat. Taif is another great stop, known for its rose farms, shaded gardens, and cooler air. These spots feel like a retreat from the packed malls and air-conditioned cafés in the cities.
With your own car, you’re free to explore off-route places. Stop in Al-Namas for panoramic views, or grab grilled lamb at a roadside eatery in Tanomah. You’ll find old watchtowers, mudbrick villages, and quiet valleys that most tourists miss. These spontaneous stops turn your drive into a real adventure.
Want to catch sunrise in Al-Soudah Park or wait out the afternoon heat at a local coffee shop in Rijal Almaa? A road trip offers complete control over your schedule. You can adjust plans without relying on group tours or fixed itineraries. Whether you stretch your trip for extra nights or skip places that don’t interest you, the schedule is yours.
You can rent a car in Saudi Arabia if you're 21 or older and have a valid driver’s license in English or Arabic. As a tourist, you should also carry your passport and an International Driving Permit (IDP). Most rental companies ask for these at pick-up, so have both documents ready to avoid delays. Automatic cars are widely available and better suited for long road trips. Manual vehicles exist, but they’re less common, so check availability ahead of time. Whether you prefer city driving or desert roads, choose a vehicle you're comfortable with.
Fuel is cheap and easy to find in towns and along highways, but remote areas may have fewer stations. Always fill up before leaving populated areas. Follow posted speed limits, wear seat belts, and stop for rest every two hours. Since summer is peak season, book your car early to get the desired type at better rates.
Here are three routes that offer the most scenic and enjoyable drives during the summer months.
This mountain road is perfect for travelers seeking cooler air, misty landscapes, and peaceful stops. You’ll drive through Tanomah’s green plateaus, pass Al Namas, and reach Al Soudah, one of the highest points in Saudi Arabia. The area is known for its shaded trails, juniper forests, and outdoor cafés with valley views.
Why choose this route
This is the coolest of the three options in terms of climate. Temperatures in Al Soudah often range from 15°C to 25°C from June to September, making it ideal during peak summer months. The route also offers the highest elevation, fewer crowds than Abha city, and easy access to Asir National Park for hiking or cable car rides.
This road winds through cliffside villages, deep valleys, and terraced farms. Baljurashi is a traditional mountain town known for honey markets and old stone houses. As you continue, you’ll drive along Aqabat Al Baha, one of the most dramatic mountain descents in the region. The route ends in Al Namas, with cool, pine-covered hills.
Why choose this route
Choose this to avoid tourist-heavy stops and enjoy a longer, slower-paced drive. It’s ideal for photographers and nature lovers who enjoy rural landscapes, cultural encounters, and quiet towns with traditional souqs and fruit stalls.
This short drive offers stunning switchback turns and elevated views over Taif. Al Hada Road includes scenic overlooks, a cable car ride, and hillside cafés. Once you arrive in Al Shafa, you’ll find small family farms, strawberry stands, and hiking trails. It’s one of the easiest cool-weather escapes from any urban area in western Saudi Arabia.
Why choose this route
It’s the most convenient option if you're short on time or want a half-day trip from Taif or Makkah. While shorter, the route offers fast access to cool breezes and panoramic views. It’s also great for families and couples, with activities like strawberry picking and easy mountain walks.
Here are the top destinations during your visit to the country. These places offer cooler weather, great scenery, and fun activities during the hot months.
Summer in Saudi Arabia brings scorching heat to most regions, but places like Abha and Al Baha stay cool due to their elevation. Abha is over 2,200 meters above sea level and rarely exceeds 30°C in summer. It offers shaded trails in Asir National Park, cable car rides to Green Mountain, and evening walks through Al-Soudah’s misty forests.
Cooler weather isn’t the only reason to visit. These highland cities also host local events and festivals. In Abha, the Abha Summer Festival runs from mid-June to late August. It brings live shows, traditional food, and cultural exhibitions to Abha High City and Al Sadd Park venues. Over in Al Baha, travelers can explore old stone houses in Dhee Ain Village, enjoy panoramic views from Raghadan Forest Park, and relax under tree-covered picnic spots.
Taif is a city with crisp mountain air, winding roads, and green spaces perfect for relaxing. Al Hada Road offers scenic views and sharp turns that lead to lookout points high above the plains. You can also enjoy a cable car ride that links Al Hada with Al Kar Tourist Village to see aerial views of the cliffs and valleys.
Taif is famous for its rose gardens, especially during the blooming season. The city hosts the Rose Festival every April to early May, where over 300 million Taif roses are harvested. Visitors can walk through rose farms, watch how rosewater is made, and buy rose-scented products.
In summer, Taif’s parks, like Al Rudaf Park and King Fahd Park, stay cool and shaded, ideal for families and evening strolls. Al Rudaf Park features large rock formations, walking paths, and fountains that light up at night. It also hosts weekend shows and small food stalls during peak months. King Fahad Park offers playgrounds, gardens, and open spaces for picnics, with wide tree-lined areas that stay breezy even in July.
Al Ula may be in the desert, but its summer mornings and evenings can still offer a calm and pleasant escape. The region’s dry heat feels less intense than the humidity in coastal cities, especially when exploring early or after sunset. Al Ula’s unique sandstone formations, narrow canyons, and open desert trails create a quiet setting. Early drives through Ashar Valley or short hikes near Elephant Rock let you enjoy the scenery without the midday heat.
Even in summer, Al Ula is a top destination for culture and history. The ancient site of Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, opens early, and you can visit before peak sun hours. You can explore tombs carved into cliffs and learn about Nabataean life through guided tours. In the evenings, Al Ula Old Town comes alive with cafes, shops, and art installations. Outdoor events and concerts are often held at Maraya, the mirrored concert hall that reflects the surrounding cliffs. With proper planning, Al Ula offers comfort and adventure during summer.
Al Khobar, located along the Arabian Gulf, offers a breezy coastal escape during the summer months. While daytime temperatures can still be high, the sea breeze helps make mornings and evenings more pleasant. The city’s Corniche is perfect for early walks or bike rides, as it has views of the water and shaded sitting areas. Families often gather here in the evenings to enjoy food stalls, play areas, and musical fountains that light up after dark.
Al Khobar also has several indoor attractions that keep you cool while exploring. Scitech Science Center offers interactive exhibits ideal for kids and curious adults. Al Rashid Mall and Dhahran Mall provide air-conditioned comfort with plenty of restaurants and entertainment for shopping and dining. If you want to explore nature without the heat, nearby Half Moon Bay has shaded picnic areas and beach resorts where you can swim or relax in the breeze.
Najran, located in southern Saudi Arabia near the Yemeni border, offers a different kind of summer experience. Though it lies in a desert region, Najran sits in a valley surrounded by mountains, which helps moderate the heat, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. The city has green farms, palm groves, and quiet oases that give it a cooler, more peaceful feel than central Saudi cities. A visit to the Al-Ukhdood Archaeological Site or a walk along the Najran Valley Dam is best done early in the day, when temperatures are more comfortable.
Najran is also known for its unique architecture and cultural heritage. Mudbrick forts and traditional buildings, like the Al-Aan Palace, feature shaded courtyards and thick walls that keep the interior cool. To taste local life, visit the Janabi Market in the historic Aba Saud district. This well-known souq specializes in handcrafted janbiya daggers, a regional symbol of pride and tradition. With around 70 shops, the market also offers swords, leather goods, spices, and locally roasted coffee.
Al Ahsa, located in eastern Saudi Arabia, is home to the world's largest oasis and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite the intense summer heat, with temperatures often exceeding 46°C (115°F) in July, the region offers unique experiences for early morning or evening visits. The Al Ahsa Oasis boasts over 2.5 million date palms, nourished by more than 280 artesian springs. Visitors can explore the lush landscapes and traditional farming practices. Nearby, Al Qarah Mountain features cool limestone caves, providing a natural respite from the heat. The Land of Civilizations project at the mountain offers cultural exhibits and events
Historical sites like Qasr Ibrahim, an Ottoman-era fortress, and Jawatha Mosque, one of the oldest in the region, showcase Al Ahsa's rich heritage. The Souq Al Qaisariya offers a traditional market experience for shopping and local crafts. Nature enthusiasts can visit Al-Asfar Lake, a serene spot ideal for birdwatching and photography. Additionally, Uqair Beach provides coastal activities like swimming and fishing, which are best enjoyed during cooler parts of the day.
Saudi Arabia’s landscapes shine the brightest during summer when you take the time to drive through them. From misty highlands to ancient desert towns, each place gives something new.Renting a car with Finalrentals makes it easy to start your road trip. With wide car options, fair prices, and multiple pickup points, we can help you explore without the hassle. Book early and make this summer vacation in Saudi Arabia memorable.
