There’s no single best month for Umrah. The right time for you depends on how you handle heat, how much crowding you’re comfortable with, your budget, and when you can take time off work or school. This guide compares the year month by month, with average temperatures for Makkah and Madinah, the busiest and quietest periods, and the dates that close Umrah for part of the year.
Umrah weather by month
Makkah is hot for most of the year, and Madinah is noticeably cooler from November to March. These are average daily highs and lows in °C, based on 1991–2020 climate records. Individual days can be hotter.
| Month | Makkah high / low | Madinah high / low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 31 / 19 | 24 / 12 |
| February | 33 / 20 | 27 / 14 |
| March | 35 / 22 | 31 / 17 |
| April | 39 / 25 | 36 / 22 |
| May | 42 / 28 | 40 / 26 |
| June | 44 / 29 | 43 / 29 |
| July | 43 / 30 | 43 / 30 |
| August | 43 / 30 | 44 / 31 |
| September | 43 / 29 | 42 / 29 |
| October | 40 / 27 | 37 / 24 |
| November | 36 / 23 | 30 / 18 |
| December | 33 / 21 | 26 / 14 |
The coolest, most comfortable months are December, January and February. June to September is the hottest stretch, with daytime highs in the low to mid 40s.
When Umrah isn’t possible
From about two months before Hajj until a few days after it, Saudi Arabia stops issuing Umrah visas, and in the final weeks before Hajj Umrah permits are suspended altogether. For this season, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has set these dates:
| What | Date |
|---|---|
| Last day Umrah visas are issued | 9 March 2027 (1 Shawwal 1448) |
| Last day to enter Saudi Arabia | 23 March 2027 (15 Shawwal) |
| Last day to leave Saudi Arabia | 7 April 2027 (30 Shawwal) |
| Hajj (Day of Arafah) | expected 15 or 16 May 2027 |
Umrah usually reopens a few days after Hajj: in 2026, visas reopened on 31 May, five days after Arafah. Hijri dates depend on the moon sighting, so the Gregorian dates can move by a day.
The busiest and quietest times
- Ramadan is the busiest time of all. Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027. Hotels near the Haram are often fully booked for the last ten nights, and prices can double or more.
- School holidays fill up fast. Late December and early January are busy, with pilgrims from many countries travelling over the Christmas and New Year break. In the first quarter of 2025, January drew the largest share of pilgrims from abroad, according to Saudi Arabia’s statistics authority.
- Summer is quieter for international pilgrims. The heat keeps numbers down from June to September, and prices are usually lower.
- Time of day matters too. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah says the Grand Mosque is busiest from 5 to 9 pm, when pilgrims avoid the heat, and quietest late at night, from about 10 pm to 4 am.
Month by month
December to February: cool and busy
The most comfortable weather of the year, especially in Madinah, where nights can be cool. Late December and early January coincide with school holidays in Canada and Nigeria, so book early. February brings the start of Ramadan in 2027.
Our December trips run over the winter break, from 27 December to 7 January: one from Toronto and one from Lagos and Abuja, each with a scholar travelling with the group.
Ramadan: the most rewarding, and the most crowded
The Prophet ﷺ said that Umrah in Ramadan is equal to Hajj in reward (Sahih al-Bukhari 1782, Sahih Muslim 1256). It equals Hajj in reward only and doesn’t replace the obligatory Hajj. Expect the biggest crowds and highest prices of the year, particularly in the last ten nights. If you’re planning Umrah in Ramadan 2027, book months ahead, and remember the visa cut-off falls around Eid.
March to early June: the Hajj pause
After Ramadan, the season closes for Hajj. In 2027, the last entry for Umrah pilgrims is expected on 23 March, and Umrah reopens after Hajj, around late May or early June.
June to September: hot, quieter and cheaper
Daytime temperatures reach the low to mid 40s, but the Haram is air-conditioned, the courtyards have misting fans, and the marble around the Kaaba is designed to stay cooler underfoot. Many pilgrims perform tawaf late at night. Summer suits families with school-age children in Canada, where the summer break covers July and August.
Our July Umrah from Toronto runs in the summer break, with full Madinah ziyarah.
October and November: warm and calmer
Temperatures ease from October, and November is noticeably milder, especially in Madinah. Crowds are usually lighter than in December or Ramadan, which makes this a good time for a calmer first Umrah.
Our October Umrah from Toronto is our quietest season, with faster access to the Haram and a half-day excursion to Taif.
Tips for Umrah in hot weather
- Do your tawaf and sa’i late at night or early in the morning. It’s cooler, and late night is also the quietest time.
- Stay out of the midday sun. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health advises avoiding direct sun between 10 am and 4 pm.
- Drink water often and carry an umbrella in the courtyards. Zamzam water is available throughout the Haram.
- Choose a hotel close to the Haram in summer, so you’re not walking far in the heat.
Which month is best for you?
| If you want… | Consider |
|---|---|
| The coolest weather | December to February |
| The greatest reward | Ramadan |
| Fewer crowds | October and November, or summer late at night |
| Lower prices | Summer and early autumn |
| School-holiday travel from Canada | Late December, or July and August |
| School-holiday travel from Nigeria | Late December and early January |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month for Umrah?
For comfortable weather, December to February. For reward, Ramadan. For fewer crowds and lower prices, October and November or the summer months. The best month is the one that balances these with when you can travel.
Is Umrah in Ramadan equal to Hajj?
In reward, yes: the Prophet ﷺ said Umrah in Ramadan is equal to Hajj (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim). It doesn’t replace the obligatory Hajj for those who are able to perform it.
Can you do Umrah during the Hajj season?
No. Saudi Arabia stops issuing Umrah visas about two months before Hajj and reopens them shortly after. For the 2027 season, the last Umrah visas are expected on 9 March and the last departure on 7 April.
What is the cheapest time of year for Umrah?
Usually the summer months and early autumn, when the heat keeps demand down. Ramadan and the December holidays are the most expensive. Our guide to how much Umrah costs from Nigeria explains what else affects the price.
Is July too hot for Umrah?
July is one of the hottest months, with average highs around 43°C in both Makkah and Madinah. Many pilgrims still go, especially families on summer break, by performing their rites late at night, staying close to the Haram and drinking plenty of water.