The best time for Umrah is not the same for everyone. For some it is Ramadan, when the reward is multiplied and the Haram is full of light. For others it is a cool January week with space to pray, or a school holiday when the whole family can travel together.
This month-by-month guide to 2027 weighs up weather, crowds, the Islamic calendar and practical factors such as school holidays and the Hajj season pause, so you can choose the window that suits your intentions, your health and the people travelling with you.
The best time for Umrah: the quick answer
If you want a single recommendation, the cooler months from November to early February are the best time for Umrah for most pilgrims. Daytime temperatures in Makkah are far gentler than in summer, and walking between your hotel and the Haram is comfortable. Outside the Christmas and New Year holiday weeks, crowds are usually manageable.
But the best time for Umrah depends on what you value most. Use the four tiles below as a starting point, then read on for the detail behind each.
Best for reward
Ramadan, expected to begin around 8 February 2027, especially the last ten nights. Busiest and most in demand of the year.
Best for weather
November to February, when Makkah is warm rather than hot and Madinah evenings can be cool.
Best for space
Quieter weeks such as mid-January and the months after Hajj, though summer heat is intense.
Best for families
School holidays that fall in cooler months, such as February half-term or October half-term in the UK.
Six factors that decide the best time for Umrah
Before you look at a calendar, it helps to know what actually changes from month to month. These six factors shape the best time for Umrah for you.
- Weather. Makkah is hot for most of the year. Typical daytime highs sit around the high 20s to low 30s °C in winter and often exceed 40 °C from May to September. Madinah is a little cooler in winter and just as hot in summer.
- Crowds. Ramadan, school holidays and long weekends in the Gulf bring the biggest crowds. Quieter spells make tawaf and the Rawdah far easier.
- Spiritual reward. Umrah in Ramadan equals Hajj in reward, as the Prophet ﷺ said in a hadith reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim. No other month carries that specific virtue.
- The Hajj season. Umrah permits are usually paused for several weeks around Hajj, so some dates are simply not available.
- Your calendar. Work leave, school terms and family events often decide more than the weather does.
- Health and age. Heat and crowds affect elderly pilgrims, young children and anyone with a medical condition far more than healthy adults.
Weigh them honestly: the best time for Umrah on paper is no use if your family cannot travel then. Hotel availability follows demand, so the busiest periods also need the earliest planning. If you are new to all of this, our Umrah for beginners overview explains how a trip fits together.
Free toolBuild your Umrah itinerary in one minutePick your nights in Makkah and Madinah and get a day-by-day outline you can bring to us.Open planner →The best time for Umrah in 2027, month by month
The table below gives a general picture for each month of 2027. Temperatures are typical Makkah daytime highs and are approximate; crowd levels vary year to year, and Islamic dates depend on the sighting of the moon.
| Month | Makkah weather | Crowds | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Warm, around 30 °C | Moderate, busy over New Year | One of the most comfortable months; Sha‘ban expected to fall mostly in January |
| February | Warm, around 30–31 °C | Very high from Ramadan | Ramadan expected to begin around 8 February |
| March | Warm to hot, low 30s °C | Very high early, easing after Eid | Last ten nights and Eid al-Fitr expected early March |
| April | Hot, mid to high 30s °C | Moderate; Easter holidays in some countries | Umrah window narrows as Hajj approaches |
| May | Very hot, around 40 °C | Hajj season | Umrah permits usually paused; Hajj expected around mid-May |
| June | Very hot, low 40s °C | Low to moderate once Umrah reopens | The new Umrah season usually restarts after Hajj |
| July | Extreme heat, 40s °C | Moderate; summer holidays | Families travel, but heat is the main challenge |
| August | Extreme heat, 40s °C | Moderate to high | Plan worship for night and early morning |
| September | Very hot, around 40 °C | Moderate | New school year in many countries brings a quieter spell |
| October | Hot, high 30s °C | Moderate; half-term weeks busier | Heat begins to ease towards the end of the month |
| November | Warm, low to mid 30s °C | Moderate | A strong all-round choice |
| December | Warm, around 30 °C | High over Christmas and New Year | Popular with Western travellers on winter leave |
For live conditions before you fly, see our Makkah and Madinah weather page. If you are already eyeing the end of this year, our detailed guide to Umrah in December covers that month in depth.
The best time for Umrah, season by season
Grouping the year into four seasons makes the choice simpler. Tap each season to see who it suits best.
For comfort, winter is widely seen as the best time for Umrah. Days are warm, nights are pleasant, and Madinah can feel cool enough for a light jacket after dark. The busy points are the Christmas and New Year weeks, popular with travellers from Europe and North America, and the run-up to Ramadan.
Suits: first-timers, elderly parents, anyone sensitive to heat.
In 2027, early spring is dominated by the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, so the first part of March is very busy. After Eid, crowds ease and temperatures climb steadily. As Hajj approaches, the window for Umrah closes, so check permit dates carefully if you plan to travel in late April.
Suits: those wanting a post-Ramadan trip, Easter-holiday families.
Summer begins with the Hajj season, when Umrah is usually unavailable. Once the new Umrah season opens, crowds can be lighter, but the heat is severe. Plan tawaf and sa‘i for late night or just after Fajr, drink water constantly and stay as close to the Haram as you can.
Suits: healthy adults, students and families tied to summer holidays.
Autumn is a quietly excellent choice. October is still hot but cooling, and November is pleasant. Outside half-term weeks, crowds are moderate and the atmosphere is calm.
Suits: couples, groups, anyone with flexible leave.
Ramadan and the Hajj pause
Is Ramadan the best time for Umrah?
Spiritually, many would say yes. Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, with the last ten nights falling in late February and early March, subject to moon sighting. Breaking the fast near the Kaaba and praying Taraweeh in Masjid al-Haram are experiences pilgrims never forget.
Practically, Ramadan is the most demanding time to go. The Haram is extremely full, especially in the last ten nights, hotels close to the mosque are in heavy demand and you will be fasting while walking long distances. Scholars also note that the travelling pilgrim may break the fast and make it up later, which some people choose to do on travel days. If Ramadan is your goal, read our Ramadan Umrah page early.
Ramadan 2027Ramadan Umrah: the last ten nights fill firstShare your preferred dates now and we will shortlist hotels close to the Haram before they sell out.Plan Ramadan Umrah →The Hajj season pause
Each year, Saudi authorities usually stop issuing Umrah permits for several weeks before and during Hajj, then reopen the Umrah season afterwards. With Hajj 1448 expected around mid-May 2027, that means late April to early June is unlikely to be available for Umrah. Exact dates change, so check the official Nusuk platform before you book flights.
The best time for Umrah for your group
The same month can be perfect for one traveller and exhausting for another. Here is how we usually advise different groups.
First-timers
For a first trip, the best time for Umrah is a cooler, calmer month such as January, November or early December. You will have space to learn the layout of the Haram and to perform tawaf and sa‘i without being rushed. A first Umrah in a quieter month builds confidence for later visits in Ramadan.
Families with children
School holidays usually decide the best time for Umrah for you. Where you can, choose a holiday that falls in the cooler months, and book hotels within a short walk of the Haram. Our family Umrah page explains how we plan around children.
Elderly parents
For older pilgrims, the best time for Umrah is almost always winter. Heat is the biggest risk to their health, and quieter weeks make wheelchair access for tawaf and sa‘i much smoother. Avoid the busiest nights of Ramadan unless you have strong support.
Those seeking quiet worship
Look at mid-January, November and the weeks after the Umrah season reopens, if you can cope with the heat. For quiet worship, the best time for Umrah is any month you can travel on weekdays, which are generally calmer than Thursday and Friday nights.
The best time for Umrah within the day
Choosing a month is only half the story. Once you arrive, the hour you begin your rites makes a real difference to crowds, heat and how present you feel. Many pilgrims find that the best time for Umrah on the day itself is either late at night or in the hours after Fajr.
- After Fajr until mid-morning. The air is cooler, the mataf is often less packed once the post-prayer rush settles, and you finish before the heat builds.
- Late night, after midnight. Popular with experienced pilgrims, especially in summer. Families with young children may find it tiring, so rest beforehand.
- Avoid the minutes before a prayer. Crowds pack the courtyard around each adhan, and tawaf stops for the congregational prayer itself.
- Friday is busiest. The hours before and after Jumu‘ah are among the most crowded of the week.
If you arrive tired, it is fine to rest at your hotel in ihram and begin when you are refreshed. Treat the timing as part of your planning, not an afterthought, and the best time for Umrah becomes the time when you can worship with a calm heart.
FamiliesFamily Umrah, planned around your childrenConnecting rooms, buggies, school-holiday dates and a calmer pace — tell us who is travelling.Plan a family trip →How far ahead to book
Once you have chosen the best time for Umrah for your group, work backwards from your travel dates. The busier the season, the earlier you need to start.
Ramadan: six to nine months ahead
Hotels near the Haram for the last ten nights are often the first to go. Start planning in the summer before.
School holidays: three to six months ahead
Half-term, Easter, summer and Christmas weeks fill quickly with families and groups.
Quieter months: six to twelve weeks ahead
January, November and similar periods offer more choice, though earlier is always easier.
Final month: visa, Nusuk and health
Confirm your visa and permit, check travel advice and vaccinations, and download all documents to your phone.
Next, decide how long to stay. Our guide to how many days you need for Umrah has sample itineraries, and you can try them out in the planner below or on the full Umrah trip planner page. For general travel safety and entry information, the UK government’s Saudi Arabia travel advice is a useful reference for all travellers.
Umrah trip planner
Choose your nights and order of cities to get a day-by-day outline.
When you know the best time for Umrah for your family, browse our Umrah packages or send your dates through the quote form. If you are torn between two months, contact our team and we will talk through the trade-offs with you.
Best time for Umrah: frequently asked questions
What is the best month for Umrah?
For comfort, November to early February is usually best, with warm days and manageable crowds outside the Christmas and New Year weeks. For reward, Ramadan is unmatched, though it is the busiest month.
When is the least crowded time for Umrah?
Quieter periods often include mid-January, November and the weeks after the Umrah season reopens following Hajj. Crowd levels vary each year, and weekdays are generally calmer than weekends.
Can I perform Umrah during Hajj season?
Usually not. Umrah permits are normally paused for several weeks before and during Hajj. Check the latest dates on Nusuk before planning.
When is Ramadan 2027?
Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, with Eid al-Fitr expected around 9 or 10 March, subject to moon sighting.
Is summer Umrah a good idea?
It can be, especially for healthy adults with flexible plans, but temperatures often exceed 40 °C. Perform tawaf and sa‘i at night or after Fajr, drink plenty of water and stay close to the Haram.
What is the best time for Umrah with elderly parents?
Winter is usually best, as heat is the biggest risk for older pilgrims. Choose a quieter week, a hotel close to the Haram and plan wheelchair support in advance.
How early should I book Umrah?
Six to nine months ahead for Ramadan, three to six months for school holidays and six to twelve weeks for quieter months.
Found your month?
Tell us your preferred dates, departure city and who is travelling, and we will send a tailored proposal for the best time for your Umrah.
