As a land of dramatic landscapes and astonishing cityscapes, Saudi Arabia is easily one of the world’s most intriguing travel destinations. This diverse country has it all: ancient heritage sites, glittering modern metropolises, beautiful beach resorts, global events, thriving coral reefs and verdant oases surrounded by seemingly endless deserts. No matter where your travels take you in Saudi, one thing is for sure — expect to be pleasantly surprised and delighted.
Unique Experiences in Saudi
Riyadh skyline
Riyadh
Long touted as the “final frontier of tourism,” Saudi’s capital has catapulted itself to the cutting edge of possibility in recent years. Experiencing all that this city has to offer is a pleasant balancing act: you’ll find the definitive collection of Saudi history at the Saudi National Museum, traditional Najdi architecture along the narrow alleys of Addoho Neighborhood and a dazzling collection of over 10,000 pieces of artwork at Naila Art Gallery. Foodies won’t want to miss House of Grill by famed chef Nicolas Isnard, where you can savor a meal reminiscent of the Great Gatsby’s lavish soirées.
Elephant Rock
AlUla
Encompassing more than 200,000 years of human history, AlUla offers adventurous experiences galore, from hiking the lush Heritage Oasis Trail to exploring the captivating UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra, where 110 remarkably well-preserved tombs dot the desert. In stark contrast, the ultra-modern Maraya mirrored building blends in with the natural environment like a mirage in the desert. Yet AlUla’s quintessential highlight is Jabal Alfil — better known as Elephant Rock — a three-story-building-sized rock formation that has transformed over thousands of years to resemble an impressive sculpture.
Old Town, Jeddah
Jeddah
Through the ages, Jeddah has prospered as the gateway for pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina, and as a major commercial hub on the Red Sea dating back to the ancient Incense Route. Like any great city, there’s a thrill to simply being a part of it — and there’s no shortage of places to be. You simply can’t go to Jeddah and not dig into its history; a scenic stroll through historic Al-Balad (translated as “The Town”) whisks you back to bygone eras. Jeddah’s beach scene is also a major attraction. Sprawled out along the scenic coastline is an assortment of trendy beach clubs, each boasting their own private beaches; while many function as stand-alone resorts, you can often buy a day pass.
UNESCO World Heritage site At-Turaif
Diriyah
One can’t-miss experience? Diriyah. Perched about a 20-minute drive outside Riyadh proper, Diriyah is a town renowned as the birthplace of Saudi Arabia. Strolling its maze of winding alleyways and mud-brick architecture has you tracing the footsteps of visionaries and kings. UNESCO World Heritage site At-Turaif is a regal citadel that set the stage for the birth of the country. Culture-seekers will want to travel the Diriyah Art and Culture Trail’s contemporary galleries and events celebrating Saudi creativity. For hiking, Wadi Hanifah is a natural escape winding through the valley, perfect for scenic walks and photography.
Oceanwater St. Regis Red Sea Resort
Red Sea
Home to world-class private islands and overwater villas, the Red Sea might just be the world’s best-kept beach resort secret. Whether it’s Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the St. Regis Red Sea Resort or Shebara Resort, you’ll feel like you’re in your own world, one of total luxury and relaxation. Just about every watersport you can imagine is available nearby: sailing, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, e-foil, WingSUP and scuba diving. Yanbu is Saudi’s scuba-diving capital, boasting dive sites ranging from WWI and WWII shipwrecks to an old Chinese tugboat on top of the sprawling coral reef.
Spice shopping
Saudi's Trade Routes
For centuries, camel caravans laden with frankincense, myrrh, spices, silk and precious stones traversed ancient Arabia, using an established network of fortified roadside inns called caravanserais. Started more than 4,000 years ago, the Incense Route ran parallel to the Red Sea along Saudi Arabia’s west coast. The ancient Nabateans civilization funneled their profits from trading into elaborate building projects such as Hegra, a UNESCO-listed, immaculately carved sandstone city that operated as the kingdom’s second capital after Petra, which today falls within Jordan’s borders.
Camel Ride
Majestic Dunes
Saudi Arabia is bordered by spectacular high dunes and long sand valleys, which are readily accessible to visitors to enjoy a unique blend of serenity and thrill. You can go quad biking and dune bashing (4x4 vehicles) in Rub Al Khali, a huge stretch of softly rolling dunes rising as high as 820 feet. The Great Nafud Desert, Saudi’s largest and well-known dunefield, is ideal for camping and day trips, while the rolling amber hills of Al Arqana Desert is where you’ll find camel rides, stargazing gatherings and fossil hunters in search of giant prehistoric elephants and birds of prey.
Al Ahsa Asfa Lake
Family Fun in Al Ahsa
Rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage, Al Ahsa offers a welcoming mix of nature, history and family-friendly experiences that cater to every kind of traveler. The UNESCO-recognized Al Ahsa Oasis is one of the largest natural oases in the world, a breathtaking expanse of more than 2.5 million date palms, ancient irrigation systems, winding pathways and natural springs. King Abdullah Environmental Park offers wide green spaces, interactive water fountain shows and playgrounds that spark imagination. And rising above the oasis, Al Qarah Mountain is a natural marvel of sculpted limestone cliffs and cool caves.
Kabsa
Can't Miss Cuisine
Saudi’s culinary scene is a mixture of timeless and modern, traditional and international, refined and rustic. Some dishes are simply so iconic you’ll want to try them at more than just one restaurant, such as kabsa, the national dish, a platter of amber-hued rice topped with succulent meat or fish, fried onions, pine nuts and raisins. Or perhaps ma’amoul is more to your taste, a small shortbread cookie stuffed with dried fruits or nuts. You also can’t go wrong with mutabbaq, a popular street food that’s essentially a fried pancake stuffed with fillings like mincemeat, eggs or vegetables served with lemon and chili.
Formula One Race
Epic Events
Work with your travel advisor to time your visit with one of Saudi’s international events to boost your wanderlust to a whole new level. The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, situated along Saudi’s Red Sea coastline, is “the fastest street circuit ever seen in Formula One,” according to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile. Music lovers head here for either Balad Beast, a two-day music festival with more than 70 artists from across musical genres, or Soundstorm, the loudest, liveliest festival in the region with an all-star lineup and the freshest sounds in every genre.