AlUla
AlUla in January
Expect 8–21°C and around 10.1 hours of sunshine a day. January is one of the best times to visit.
Prof. Mortel · CC BY 2.0On this page
AlUla weather in January
- Average high
- 21°C
- Average low
- 8°C
- Rain
- 5.2 mm in the month
- Sunshine
- 10.1 hours a day
- Sunrise / sunset
- About 07:20 / 17:55 (mid-month)
- Daylight
- 10 h 38 min
- Crowds
- Very high
- Book Hegra
- 4–8 weeks ahead
What to expect in January 2027
Peak season. Winter at Tantora ends on 9 January, then crowds ease slightly. Cold mornings and nights.
Check how busy your exact date is with the Hegra ticket planner.
Cooler months are balloon season: AlUla hot-air balloon via Klook (check operating dates).
What’s on in AlUla in January 2027
- Winter at Tantora runs until 9 January 2027.
- Ultra Gobi AlUla, a multi-day endurance race, 13–20 January 2027.
- AlUla Arts Festival opens 15 January 2027 (until 6 February), with exhibitions in AlJadidah Arts District, the Oasis and beyond.
Dates can change: confirm on the official Experience AlUla calendar before you book. Plan your light around a 07:20 sunrise and 17:55 sunset: the first and last two hours are the best for Hegra, Elephant Rock and photography.
What to pack for AlUla in January
Layers: a warm fleece or down jacket for early mornings, balloon flights and stargazing, plus light layers for the afternoon. Cover shoulders and knees at heritage sites (see our dress code guide) and wear closed shoes for rocky ground.
A 3-day AlUla itinerary built for January
Day 1 - winter heritage
Start with Dadan and Jabal Ikmah, then walk the Oasis into Old Town. Carry a warm layer after sunset.
Day 2 - Hegra and Elephant Rock
Book a mid-morning Hegra tour rather than the coldest first slot. Reach Elephant Rock before sunset.
Day 3 - Arts Festival or desert day
Use AlJadidah and the Oasis for Arts Festival exhibitions; outside festival dates, choose Maraya and a slow Ashar Valley afternoon.
Before you go
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Car hire
AlUla and the Riyadh escarpment are driving destinations. Book an SUV early in season.
AlUla airport transfer
Pre-book a car from AlUla International (ULH). Most resorts are 15–45 minutes away.
Travel insurance
Check your entry-route cover and policy exclusions for current travel warnings, cancellation and activities. A quote does not guarantee cover.
Questions travellers ask
Is January a good time to visit AlUla?
January is one of the best times to visit. Average temperatures are 8–21°C, with the odd shower.
How hot is AlUla in January?
Daytime highs average 21°C and nights fall to about 8°C (Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages).
Sources
Official and primary sources are preferred. Dates show when we last checked the linked information.
- Experience AlUla - official events, experiences and visitor information - checked 2 October 2026
- Open-Meteo historical weather data - checked 2 October 2026