Top 6 Hottest Cities: Discover the Hottest City in the World

There is no doubt climate change has reached an irreversible point. One can even say weather has become the enemy of our reality. 

What before could be a fun day out, can easily become a full-scale battle to dodge the sun. We hurry inside, turn the air conditioner up to obviously unsafe levels, and take every precaution to prevent the living room from being affected by the unrelenting outdoor heat.

Wherever you are in the world, temperatures are rising, according to the most recent global warming statistics. We have already experienced the hottest summer in history, and forecasts are not very promising. 

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Keep reading to find out what are the hottest places on Earth.

Hottest city in the world

The truth is the hottest city in the world can change based on the season. Some places, however, definitely deal with intense heat more often than others and compete for the title of the hottest city in the world.

Extreme temperatures are common in numerous cities at various times of the year, especially in the summer, which makes it hard to keep track of the hottest city in the world.

Year-to-year variations in weather patterns and heat waves can also affect temperature rankings. Temperature records can also be influenced by human activity, urbanization, and changes in the surrounding environment.

All of this makes it hard to define the hottest city in the world, still here’s a list of the hottest cities in the world.

Top 6 Hottest Cities in the World

Ahvaz, Iran

This vast city in Iran was commonly referred to as the hottest city in the world. Highly populated and contaminated, this has consistently been attributed to the award for the hottest city in the world, although such distinction varies quite often.

Ahvaz often experiences scorching temperatures during the summer, with temperatures exceeding 120°F (49°C). 

Jazan City, Saudi Arabia

This agricultural city also competes for the award for the hottest city in the world. With less than 2 million residents, this is a port on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. Although this extremely hot city may not have the craziest summer temperatures, its constant heat makes it a strong competitor for the hottest city in the world.

The temperature usually varies from 73°F to 98°F.

Bangkok, Thailand

Although Bangkok might not be the hottest city in the world during summer, the capital city of Thailand experiences —regularly— daytime highs of over 40°C and nighttime lows that are not much lower.

Now, for those who are sensitive to heat,  Bangkok might not be a great match. Its infamous pollution makes it hard to navigate the city and its extreme temperatures throughout the year.

Since the city’s air pollution is severe, hot air is frequently trapped within the city’s core, resulting in daily humidity and heat that many visitors are unprepared for.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Like no other US city, Las Vegas endures extreme temperatures due to its location in the arid desert of Nevada. 

This competitor for the hottest city in the world usually has a temperature close to 40°C —or more—. This tends to particularly affect unprepared tourists and those taking part in week-long benders.

Although not the hottest city in North America, Las Vegas is close to Death Valley in California, which is the hottest place in the whole Western Hemisphere. Just one degree short of the world record, 134°F (56.7°C) was the midday maximum temperature measured in 1911 by the park’s thermometers.

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Baghdad, Iraq

This has also been a strong competitor for the hottest city in the world, with temperatures that this year reached 49°C (120°F). 

The winters in this city are often clear, cold, and dry, while the summers are hot, dry, and desert.

Kuala Lumpur

The capital of Malaysia has a hot and muggy tropical climate all year round. 

It is well-known for having warm, equatorial weather with regular highs of 90°F or more (32°C or more). High humidity levels can amplify the feeling of heat. The city is dependably warm since it rarely experiences a dramatic dip in temperature. 

Rainfall occurs often throughout the year, with brief but intense afternoon showers being a frequent occurrence. Although Kuala Lumpur’s hot weather and high humidity can make it difficult to engage in outdoor activities there, the city’s lively culture and sights continue to lure tourists.

The hottest places on Earth

As stated before, the title of the hottest city in the world constantly varies during the year. Although the weather is often changing, some cities around the world are known for their scorching temperatures, making them some of the hottest urban centers on the planet.

Hong Kong, China, might not be the hottest city in the world, yet with Hong Kong’s well-known humidity, this sauna-like tropical city becomes an uncomfortable and intense environment, particularly during the humid rainy season.

Even though the daily highs in this extremely humid Chinese megacity are often about 30°C, it feels more like a steam chamber than a major city.

Mexicali, located in the northern region of Mexico, is notorious for its blistering heat. During the summer months, temperatures in Mexicali can soar well above 110°F (43°C), making it one of the hottest cities in the Western Hemisphere. 

The combination of its arid desert climate and geographical location contributes to these extreme temperatures, attracting sun-seeking tourists and posing heat-related challenges for residents.

Right on the other side, Melbourne, Australia, experiences its fair share of hot days, particularly during the summer season. While Melbourne’s temperatures may not reach the same heights as those in desert cities like Mexicali, it can still get quite hot. 

Summer days with temperatures exceeding 100°F (38°C) are common. These hot spells can be challenging for the city’s residents, as Melbourne is more accustomed to its famously changeable weather, which can include sudden temperature fluctuations. As a result, residents and visitors alike must be prepared for both scorching heat and unexpected temperature drops in this Australian metropolis.

Phoenix, Arizona, in the USA, is also well known for its sweltering desert environment. With summertime highs regularly exceeding 100°F (38°C), it is one of the hottest cities in the country. In comparison to many other regions, the city has quite hot summers and —luckily— very pleasant winters. 

Greece’s Athens enjoys a Mediterranean climate with scorching summers. In Athens, the summertime high temperature can easily exceed 100°F (38°C). The city has strong heatwaves and little rain during the summer due to its location in southern Europe. 

Exploring Athens in the summer can be physically taxing but culturally rewarding due to the city’s abundance of historical sites and hot weather. The several beaches that line the Athens coastline are frequented by both inhabitants and visitors looking for relief from the heat.

Another fair competitor for the hottest city in the world is Cairo. Located in northeastern Africa, its extreme summers and overall arid desert climate with sweltering summer temperatures make it one of the hottest places on Earth. 

The city is renowned for its relentless heat and regularly has daytime temperatures that exceed 100 °F (38°C). While there is plenty to learn about Cairo’s history and culture, tourists are advised to take precautions against the extreme heat, such as staying hydrated and planning outside activities for the cooler morning or evening hours, even though Cairo has a rich history and cultural heritage to discover.

One thing is for sure, extreme temperatures are among us, and our city could become the hottest city in the world.

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