We love a good beach holiday as much the next person but there are some places around the world where temperatures soar so high that going outside would be an act of madness (I would add 45C summers in Delhi to this list of foolish acts!). From Nevada to Nigeria, take a look at the Infographic by LED Hut below to see 10 of the hottest destinations in the world. Remember to bring your sunscreen!
Disclosure: This post was created in association with LED Hut. All opinions are entirely my own.
10 of the hottest places in the world
Death Valley, California
You’ll find this national park in the Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s hottest recorded temperatures – it hit 56.7 degrees C on July 10, 1913.
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Temperatures in Mecca can reach as high as 45 degrees C, which is fine if you can be inside but not ideal if you are visiting for Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. In mid-August some 1.5 million pilgrims arrive for the five-day religious pilgrimage to Mecca and nearby holy sites in Saudi Arabia.
Timbuktu, Mali
Located not far from the big bend of the Niger River at the southern edge of the Sahara Desert in Mali, the fabled city of Timbuktu is hot year-round. Half-covered by sand, the city receives little respite with temperatures staying in the 30Cs during the winter and reaching up to 42C in the summer months. The highest temperature ever recorded was 54C.
Illizi, Algeria
Located in a remote corner of south-eastern Algeria the town of Illizi receives very few visitors. It’s one of the gateways to the Tassel N’Ajjer National Park where caves house prehistoric drawings dating back to 6000 years BC. It’s on this list, however, because of its summer temperatures that can reach into the mid-40sC.
Phoenix, Arizona
The hottest day of the year in 2018 for Phoenix, Arizona was 46C but the city has seen hotter. In June 1990 the mercury reached 50C!
Kuwait City, Kuwait
Kuwait City sits at the heart of the Persian Gulf and was the first country in the world to introduce camel racing! Temperatures in the summer can reach 41C, positively balmy compared to some of the destinations on this list!
Las Vegas, Nevada
It may be known as a gambler’s Mecca (and a great destination for a quickie wedding!) but being built in the edge of a desert, Las Vegas is also famous for its hot temperatures. One hundred degree days are not unusual in Vegas and the hottest temperature ever recorded was 47C , which happened in both July 2205 and July 1942. Fortunately, all the hotels and casinos in Vegas have air conditioning!
Ghadames, Libya
The oasis Berber town of Ghadames in northwest Libya is one of the oldest pre-Saharan cities in the world. The highest temperature recorded in this town was 55C.
Ahvaz, Iran
Located in the southwest of Iran, Ahvaz experienced temperatures of 53.7C in June 2017. Iran’s previous hottest temperature was 53C.
Lagos, Nigeria
The capital of Nigeria, Lagos, is not your typical tourist destination but it does offer guaranteed sunshine – temperatures reach around 34C in the summer.