It’s common to dream about a warm, sunny place – especially if you’re someone who lives in one of the world’s coldest countries. And there are many cities around the world that boast warm climates year-round, but what about the world’s hottest cities?
First of all, how do we determine which cities are the hottest? We’ve taken a look at the annual average temperatures for each city, rather than just the extreme highs (120.2° F, 49° C!) that some of these places see. So don’t sweat it, read on for your list of the hottest cities in the world.
Table of Contents
The Hottest Cities in The World
Number | City | Country | Average temperature (F) | Average temperature (C) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Assab | Eritrea | 86.9 | 30.5 |
2 | Bosaso | Somalia | 86.0 | 30.0 |
3 | Djibouti | Djibouti | 85.8 | 29.9 |
4 | Khartoum | Sudan | 85.8 | 29.9 |
5 | Abéché | Chad | 84.9 | 29.4 |
6 | Garissa | Kenya | 84.7 | 29.3 |
7 | Lodwar | Kenya | 84.7 | 29.3 |
8 | Niamey | Niger | 84.7 | 29.3 |
9 | Aden | Yemen | 84.4 | 29.1 |
10 | Ouahigouya | Burkina Faso | 83.5 | 28.6 |
11 | Bangkok | Thailand | 83.5 | 28.6 |
12 | Port Sudan | Sudan | 83.1 | 28.4 |
13 | Manila | Philippines | 83.1 | 28.4 |
14 | Reggane | Algeria | 82.9 | 28.3 |
15 | Ouagadougou | Burkina Faso | 82.9 | 28.3 |
16 | Garoua | Cameroon | 82.9 | 28.3 |
17 | N'Djamena | Chad | 82.9 | 28.3 |
18 | Phnom Penh | Cambodia | 82.9 | 28.3 |
19 | Mango | Togo | 82.6 | 28.1 |
20 | Oranjestad | Aruba | 82.6 | 28.1 |
21 | Malé | Maldives | 82.4 | 28 |
22 | Mandalay | Myanmar | 82.4 | 28 |
23 | Willemstad | Curaçao | 82.4 | 28 |
24 | Ségou | Mali | 82.4 | 28 |
25 | Timbuktu | Mali | 82.4 | 28 |
26 | Sokoto | Nigeria | 82.4 | 28 |
27 | Muscat | Oman | 82.4 | 28 |
28 | Panama City | Panama | 82.4 | 28 |
29 | Tamale | Ghana | 82.2 | 27.9 |
30 | George Town | Cayman Islands | 82.2 | 27.9 |
1. Assab, Eritrea – 86.9° F (30.5° C)
Assab, Eritrea is located on the Red Sea. Consequently, an active port has developed in this small city. It is well known as one of the hottest cities in the world.
Though it is located in a desert climate, temperatures do not fluctuate dramatically.
The average yearly temperature for Assab, Eritrea is 30.5° C (86.9° F), and the record high for the city is 42.8° C (109° F).
The warmest months are July and August but even during these months, the nighttime temperatures still average 30° C (86° F). The city only receives three rain days each year which means that there is little relief from the constant heat.
2. Bosaso, Somalia – 86° F (30° C)
The city of Bosaso, Somalia, is a coastal community with a population of 200,000 inhabitants. The area experiences similar temperatures to Assab, Eritrea. Despite the extreme climate, the area is growing and flourishing.
The reason for the growth of Bosaso is the direct result of the changes made in the region during the Somali Civil War. In 1998, the Puntland region proclaimed itself an autonomous region.
This made Bosaso the economic driver of the northeast region of Somalia. Due to the increase in jobs and industry, the population has steadily grown.
The city experiences an average yearly temperature of 30° C (86° F).
During the summer months of June through August, daytime temperatures reach 36.1° C (97° F) and during the night, temperatures will drop to 30° C (86° F), bringing a bit of relief to the city’s inhabitants.
3. Djibouti City, Djibouti – 85.8° F (29.9° C)
Djibouti City, the capital of Djibouti, has a population of 600,000 and is strategically located at the joining of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden – where the most active shipping lanes in the world are found.
Its location on the Gulf of Tadjourna makes the city of Djibouti one of the hottest in the world; the overall average temperature each year is 29.9° C (85.8° F).
The summer months, particularly July, hit temperatures of 36.4° C (97.52° F) while January is a slightly cooler month with temperatures of 25.1° C (77.2° F).
One thing to note is that the sea around the city is also quite warm.
Most of the year, the water has a temperature of 30° C (86° F), which means that if residents are looking to cool off in the water, they won’t find much respite from the scorching heat.
4. Khartoum, Sudan – 85.8° F (29.9° C)
With constant high temperatures all year long, this city is known as one of the hottest, and the city’s 5 million residents make it one of the biggest in Africa.
Located at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile Rivers, the city is quite distant from the sea. This gives the city a very hot desert climate, and in truth, traveling through this city is not for the faint of heart.
Khartoum’s average temperature is 29.9° C (85.8° F).
The temperature increases during May and June to an average of 34.4° C (93.9° F) and, thankfully for city residents, the temperature averages decrease in January when it dips to 23.2° C (73.8° F).
5. Abéché, Chad – 84.9° F (29.4° C)
The city of Abéché, Chad, is a growing city with a population of 76,492 residents. The city is known for its relics of the past, including mosques and tombs and palaces of previous sultans.
The city’s population has grown in modern times with the movement of refugees from the Darfur area.
The average annual temperature in Abéché is 29.4° C (84.9° F) and these temperatures remain relatively stable throughout the year. Even so, the city does have a rainy season during the months of June through September.
6. Garissa, Kenya – 84.7° F (29.3 °C)
Garissa, Kenya is the capital city of Garissa County and is located in the northeastern province of the country. The city has a population of 450,399 inhabitants.
The semi-arid climate of Garissa gives the city a desert terrain. The average annual temperature is 29.3 °C (84.7° F).
Even though the city is situated on the Tana River, the climate remains consistent because of its low elevation. During the day, temperatures are at 33° C (91° F) but drop during the evening hours.
7. Lodwar, Kenya – 84.7° F (29.3°C)
Lodwar is a large community of 82,970 people located in northwest Kenya. The city is situated on Lake Turkana and the Loima Hills. The city’s economy is based on tourism and basket weaving.
Lodwar’s desert climate is noted for its limited rainfall and consistent extreme temperatures.
With an average annual temperature of 29.3° C (84.7° F), the city experiences approximately 3,600 hours of sunlight annually and only 210 millimeters (8.26 inches) of rainfall.
8. Niamey, Niger – 84.7° (29.3° C)
With a population of 1.5 million inhabitants, Niamey, Niger, has one of the highest average temperatures in the world and is quite similar to Sokoto, a previous city on our list.
With an annual average temperature of 29.3° C (84.7° F), the residents experience relatively stable overall temperatures year-round.
The temperatures do rise during the month of May, to an average of 34° (93.2° F), and during the city’s dry season, temperatures dip slightly to 30° C (86° F).
9. Aden, Yemen – 84.4° F (29.1° C)
Since 2015, the city of Aden, Yemen has served as the temporary capital of the country. Located on the Gulf of Aden on the Red Sea, the city has a population of 800,000 residents.
Aden’s busy harbor was created by a dormant volcano that created the peninsula nearby.
Aden has a desert climate with high humidity every month. There is very little annual precipitation – about 127 millimeters (five inches) a year.
The annual average temperature is 29.1° C (84.4° F). In January, the city average is 25.7° C (78.3° F), and temperatures begin to rise during June up to an average of 32.7° C (90.9° F).
10. Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso – 83.5° F (28.6° C)
Located in Northern Burkina Faso, Ouahigouya sees an annual average temperature of 28.6° C (83.5° F). Classified as having a hot, semi-arid climate, this city sees its hottest temperatures in May with an average of 33.2° C (91.8° F) and its coolest temperatures in Jan at an average of 24.2° C (75.6° F).
Ouahigouya serves as the capital of the Yatenga Provence, and its agriculture-based economy is highly dependent on the area’s annual rainfall, about 760 mm (29.9 in) annually. Although uncommon, the highest temperature recorded in Ouahigouya was a scorching 48.8° C (119.8° F).
11. Bangkok, Thailand – 83.5° F (28.6 °C)
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and is situated on the Chao Phraya River delta. The city has a population of 10.7 million people and is perhaps best known for its rich history.
Bangkok has a tropical savanna climate and is part of the monsoon system known throughout South Asia. While the city is known to be hot all year with an average yearly temperature of 28.6 °C (83.5° F), there are distinct seasons.
The average temperature in December is 26.5° C (79.7° F) and it rises in April to 30.5° C (86.9° F). The rainy season starts in May and continues through October.
The rest of the year is the hot season, with a high of 40.1° C (104.2° F). It should be noted that this city does experience urban heat, which keeps temperatures stable through the day and night.
12. Port Sudan, Sudan – 83.1° F (28.4° C)
Port Sudan, the country of Sudan’s main seaport, sees an average annual temperature of 28.4° C (83.1° F). This city reaches its hottest temperatures in August, with an average of 34.5° C (83.1° F), and its coldest in February, with an average of 23° C (73.4° F).
Port Sudan has an oil refinery and serves as a hub of international trade for Sudan. This city has a hot, desert climate and sees very little rainfall, the average amount measuring only 76 mm (3 in) per year.
13. Manila, Philippines – 83.1° F (28.4° C)
Another port city, Manila, Philippines, serves as the country’s capital as well as its second-largest city. Manila is incredibly humid but does see a dry season between late December and April. The average annual temperature for this city is 28.4° C (83.1° F).
Classified as a tropical savanna climate, Manila sees its hottest temperatures during April with an average of 30.1° C (86.2° F) and its coolest temperatures during January at an average of 26.7° C (80.1° F).
Unfortunately, this city is highly affected by natural disasters (floods, tsunamis, typhoons, and earthquakes), second worldwide only to Tokyo.
14. Reggane, Algeria – 82.9° F (29.3° C)
Located in what locals have nicknamed “the triangle of fire”, Reggane, Algeria, is the capital of the country’s Reggane District. This city’s location near the Sahara Desert makes it no surprise that it made its way onto this list, and with good reason – the average annual temperature for Reggane is 29.3° C (82.9° F).
While its average temperature places it in the middle of this list of hottest cities (by average temperature), Reggane does see temperatures pushing 50° C (122° F) during summer days. With a hot, desert climate, this city only sees about 10 mm of rainfall each year (0.39 in).
15. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – 82.9° F (28.3° C)
The largest city in Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou has an average annual temperature of 28.3° C (82.9° F). January is when the country sees its coldest temps, getting down to an average of 24.8° C (76.6° F), and in April the country sees an average high of 32.6° C (90.7 °F). The hottest temperature on record, however, was a scorching 46.1° C (115° F).
Ouagadougou has a hot, semi-arid climate with about 800 mm of rainfall each year (31 in). The temperatures in this city are affected both by the harmattan (a dry wind) and the West African Typhoon.
16. Garoua, Cameroon – 82.9° F (28.3° C)
As the fourth largest city in Cameroon, a West Central African Republic, Garoua is the capital of the North Region. Over 300,000 people live in the city, which is situated on a major tributary of the Niger River, the Benue.
While the annual average temperatures are 28.3° C (82.9° F), March and April are the hottest months the city experiences.
During these months, the average temperature is 32–33° C (90–91.4° F). While the city becomes cooler during the winter months of December and January, the lowest temperatures are 26° C (78.8° F).
17. N’Djamena, Chad – 82.9° F (28.3° C)
The capital and largest city of Chad (the fifth largest country in Africa), N’Djamena is another city located near the Sahara Desert. This city has a hot, semi-arid climate with a short wet season and a long dry season and sees an average annual rainfall of 550 mm (20 in).
The country sees its hottest temperatures in April, with an average of 33.8° C (92.8° F), and its coolest in January at an average of 23.3° C (73.9° F). Although the average annual temperature is 28.3° C (82.9° F), the city has seen a record high of 49.1° C (120.4° F).
18. Phnom Penh, Cambodia – 82.9° F (28.3° C)
This city sees relatively constant temperatures throughout the year, with the hottest seen in April at an average of 30.2° C (86.4° F) and the coldest in December at an average of 26.3° C (79.3° F). The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh is a cultural and touristic hub for the country, drawing in visitors from around the world thanks to its rich history and French-influenced architecture.
The city has a tropical, wet-and-dry climate and sees both a distinct wet and dry season. Subject to monsoons, Phnom Penh has an annual rainfall of 1,400 mm (55 in) and an average annual temperature of 28.3° C (82.9° F).
19. Mango, Togo – 78.8° F (28.1° C)
Located near the border of Ghana, Mango serves as a center of peanut and cattle trade in Togo. The city’s 41 thousand residents experience an average annual temperature of 28.1° C (78.8° F), with lows reaching 26° C (78.8°) in August and highs of 31.5° C (88.7° F) on average in March.
With a tropical climate, Mango receives 1,090 mm of rainfall each year (42.9 in) and has reached a record high temperature of 44.4° C (111.9° F).
20. Oranjestad, Aruba – 82.5° F (28.1° C)
The city of Oranjestad is the capital of Aruba, a nation that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The city has a modest population of 28,294 inhabitants.
The yearly average temperature is 28.1° C (82.6° F), and with its semi-arid climate, Oranjestad has humid, hot temperatures throughout the year.
Due to its location, rainfall is low. The island does have a rainy season, however, that occurs from September–January.
21. Malé, Maldives – 82.4° F (28° C)
One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Malé sees consistently hot temperatures no matter the season. This is due to the city’s low median elevation and tropical monsoon climate (Malé has 1,900 mm (75 in) of rainfall per year).
The annual average temperature in Malé is 28° C (82.4° F), with average lows reaching 27.5° C (81.5° F) and highs reaching 28.9° C (84° F) in December and April, respectively.
22. Mandalay, Myanmar – 82.4° F (28° C)
Mandalay is Myanmar’s second-largest city and is located on the Irrawaddy River. Featuring a hot, semi-arid climate, Mandalay has seen a record high of 48° C (118.4° F), although averages fall considerably less than that.
Mandalay’s average annual temperature is 28° C (82.4° F), with average lows of 21.9° C (71.1° F) in January and average highs of 31° C (89.4° F) in April. The city serves as the country’s northern hub for education, healthcare, and commerce.
23. Willemstad, Curaçao – 82.4° F (28° C)
Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Willemstad is located on the island of Curaçao in the Caribbean. This city sees very little variation in temperature throughout the year, with an annual average of 28° C (82.4° F).
Willemstad has a hot, semi-arid climate with hot days and warm nights. Its annual rainfall differs from year to year, as it is affected by the El Niño. The city sees its hottest average temperature in September, reaching 29.1° C (84.4° F), and its lowest average temperature in January at 26.6° C (79.9° F).
24. Ségou, Mali – 82° F (28° C)
The town of Ségou serves as the capital of the Ségou Cercle and Ségou Region of Mali. This town has distinct dry and rainy seasons and experiences 640 mm (25 in) or average annual rainfall.
Like Ouagadougou, Ségou’s temperatures are directly affected by the harmattan and monsoons. This city sees an average annual temperature of 28° C (82° F) with average lows of 24° C (75° F) in January and average highs in April/May of 33° (91°F).
25. Timbuktu, Mali – 82° F (28° C)
The capital of the Tombouctou region of Mali, Timbuktu is another city on our list that has its temperatures affected by the harmattan – these dry, dusty winds blow in warm air from the Sahara Desert during Timbuktu’s winter months.
With a hot, desert climate, Timbuktu sees an annual average temperature of 28° C (82° F) and has even reached a record high of 49° C (120.2° F). Typically, however, the average high is around 34° C (93° F) in June and reaches its average low in Dec/Jan of 21° C (70° F).
26. Sokoto, Nigeria – 83.25° F (28.47° C)
With a population of 430,000 people, the city of Sokoto, Nigeria, is located in the northwestern corner of the country.
Prior to the fall of the Northwestern State, Sokoto was the country’s capital, and it still remains the capital of the region today.
The city experiences an average temperature of 28° C (83° F), and the city’s climate is primarily determined by the savannas that surround it in the Dry Sahel Zone.
The city’s hottest months are April and May, during which temperatures can reach 32° C (90° F). On the other end of the spectrum, the city experiences temperatures as low as 25° C (77° F) during its coldest month, January.
27. Muscat, Oman – 82° F (28° C)
Another capital city, Muscat, Oman, is an enormous, historically rich metropolis populated by over 1.4 million people. This area sees long, hot summers and warm winters with an average annual temperature of 28° C (82° F).
Located in a hot and arid climate, Muscat sees a mere average of 100 mm (4 in) of rainfall a year, and while this means that there is little vegetation in the area, the hills surrounding Muscat are rich in iron ore.
In the summer, it is not unusual for Muscat to experience 40° C (104° F), in fact, the record high hit a scorching 49.2° C (120° F).
28. Panama City, Panama – 82° F (28° C)
Panama City, Panama, is a historically rich city and the country’s capital. Now the country’s modern hub of commerce and banking, Panama City once served as a significant point in the trade of silver and gold throughout the Americas.
Thanks to the almost continuous cloud cover from the Intertropical Convergence Zone, Panama City sees steady temperatures throughout the year, staying between 27–28° C (81–82° F) no matter the season.
29. Tamale, Ghana – 82.2° F (27.9° C)
Thanks to its central location, Tamale, Ghana, serves as the country’s commercial and administrative hub and as the capital of Ghana’s Northern Region. The third-largest city in the country, Tamale sees an annual average temperature of 27.9° C (82.2° F).
With a tropical wet and dry climate and a rainy season from April to September, Tamale experiences around 1100 mm of rain (43.3 in) per year. The average high reaches 30.1° C (86.2° F) in February and the average low hits 25.8° C (78.4° F) in August.
30. George Town, Cayman Islands – 82.2° F (27.9° C)
George Town is the capital of the Cayman Islands, part of the British West Indies. Famous for its financial industry, George Town is an incredibly diverse city despite its size, with residents from over 100 different countries.
With a tropical savanna climate, George Town is another city that sees relatively constant temperatures throughout the year. The hot, wet season sees highs of 29.7° C (85.5° F) in August, and the warm, dry season sees average lows of 25.8° C (78.4° F) in January. The annual average temperature for George Town is 27.9° C (82.2° F).