Ultimate Guide To Saudi Arabia (By City & Region)

Saudi Arabia is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s most intriguing new travel destinations, opening its doors to international tourists with a blend of ancient history, dramatic landscapes, and futuristic cities.

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From the red sands of the Empty Quarter to the cool highlands of Asir, and from Nabataean tombs to ultra-modern festivals, the Kingdom offers a travel experience unlike anywhere else.

Visitors should be mindful of local customs—dress modestly, check visa requirements in advance, and plan trips between October and March for the most comfortable weather.

Riyadh is not just the political and economic centre of Saudi Arabia. It is a city in motion, balancing ambition with deep tradition. Skyscrapers rise from the desert alongside old mosques and markets. There is history here, but also energy. It is a place that feels like it is rewriting its story in real time.

Inside the King Abdulaziz Historical Centre, this museum takes you on a journey across time. Fossils, ancient trade routes, early Islamic artefacts, and scenes from modern Saudi history are all part of the story. The layout is intuitive, the storytelling clear, and the sense of cultural pride is woven into every exhibit. It is a valuable starting point for anyone visiting the country for the first time.

Diriyah holds more than architectural interest. It holds meaning. Once the birthplace of the Saudi state, this mudbrick town has been thoughtfully restored and reopened to the public. The architecture is true to its roots, with carved wooden doors and cool inner courtyards shaded by palms. You can stroll through winding alleys, pause for coffee in a modern café, or visit one of the new galleries or museums. It is both a cultural site and a living, evolving space.

The Kingdom Centre is impossible to miss. Sleek and sculptural, it dominates the skyline. Take the lift to the Skybridge, which sits 300 metres above ground, and you are rewarded with sweeping views of the city in every direction. Visit in the late afternoon if you can. As the sun drops, the light turns golden and the city stretches out in quiet, dusty layers.

If you only have time for one outdoor escape, make it this one. Located just outside Riyadh, the Edge of the World lives up to its name.

Massive cliffs drop suddenly into the plains below, offering some of the most dramatic views in the country. The trail is relatively gentle, though the terrain is rocky. Bring water, take your time, and let the silence of the desert sink in.

Every year from October to March, Riyadh transforms. Riyadh Season is a large-scale festival that brings international artists, chefs, performers, and designers into the city. Expect concerts, light installations, food pop-ups, fashion shows, and events that feel spontaneous and high energy. Even if you do not plan your trip around it, you might find yourself caught up in it anyway. The atmosphere is welcoming and creative, and there is something for every interest.

Jeddah feels different from the capital. It is looser, saltier, more creative. Sitting on the edge of the Red Sea, it has long been a port city, shaped by centuries of trade, travel, and pilgrimage. The result is a city that feels open. Open to ideas, open to movement, open to the world.

It is also one of the best places in Saudi Arabia to slow down. Whether you are wandering the shoreline, exploring coral reefs, or getting lost in the old town, Jeddah invites you to take your time.

The Corniche stretches for miles along the Red Sea, offering public art, fountains, walking trails, and shaded spots to sit and watch the world go by. It is one of the best places in the city for a morning run or an evening walk, when the heat drops and the light softens. Families gather here. Friends meet for coffee. The sea breeze makes everything feel a little lighter.

Jeddah’s coastline hides some of the most vibrant marine life in the region. The water is warm, the visibility is excellent, and the reefs are full of colour. Local dive centres can get you set up with gear and take you out to nearby spots, whether you are an experienced diver or trying it for the first time. Expect to see clownfish, coral gardens, and maybe even a turtle or two.

Al-Balad is the historic heart of Jeddah, and it looks like nowhere else in the country. The buildings are made from coral stone, and the wooden balconies jut out like open boxes. As you walk through the narrow streets, you will find spice shops, hidden mosques, and houses that have been turned into small museums or cafés. It is atmospheric, slightly crumbling, and completely captivating. Some of the homes date back hundreds of years, and restoration projects are ongoing. It is a place where heritage and everyday life still overlap.

Known officially as Al-Rahma Mosque, this seaside structure appears to float at high tide. Set on stilts over the water, its white marble exterior and simple design create a sense of calm. It is especially beautiful at sunrise, when the sea is still and the light is pale. Even if you do not go inside, the setting alone is worth the stop.

You will notice it from almost anywhere along the coast. At night, King Fahd’s Fountain sends a powerful stream of saltwater high into the sky, lit from below like a sculpture made of mist. It is the tallest fountain of its kind in the world, and it is best viewed after dark, when the city noise fades and the water takes centre stage.

AlUla does not just feel remote. It feels otherworldly. Tucked into the sandstone valleys of northwestern Saudi Arabia, this region is a vast open-air museum filled with ancient tombs, rock formations, and ruins that stretch back thousands of years. But it is not frozen in time. AlUla is also evolving, with new cultural events and thoughtful restorations bringing fresh energy to an ancient landscape.

If you are looking for history, silence, and wonder, this is where you will find them.

This is Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is extraordinary.

Carved into rose-coloured rock by the Nabataeans over two thousand years ago, the tombs at Hegra are remarkably well preserved. You will see towering facades, intricate inscriptions, and entire burial complexes set against the backdrop of the desert. It is often compared to Petra in Jordan, but it is quieter here, with fewer visitors and more space to reflect on the scale of what was built.

AlUla’s historic centre was inhabited for centuries before being abandoned in the 1980s. Now partially restored, the old town is once again open to visitors. Narrow alleyways wind between mudbrick houses, some of which have been turned into shops, art spaces, or cafés. The contrast between ancient construction and new ideas gives this area a thoughtful, creative feel. It is not a tourist village. It is a place that honours its past while welcoming the present.

Just outside the main town, a massive sandstone formation rises from the earth in the unmistakable shape of an elephant. Around it, the desert opens up into a network of walking trails, view points, and picnic spots. You can visit at sunrise for soft colours and cool air, or come at dusk when the rock glows red and the air turns still. Either way, it is a striking reminder of what nature can do with time and patience.

Each year, during the cooler months, AlUla hosts a cultural festival that brings together music, art, food, and heritage in a desert setting unlike any other. From classical concerts at Maraya Concert Hall to pop-up markets and local storytelling, Winter at Tantora blends global culture with Saudi tradition. It is an ambitious festival, but it is grounded in place. Everything points back to the land and the people who have lived here for generations.

Far from city lights, the skies above AlUla are among the clearest in the region. On a good night, you can see the Milky Way stretch across the horizon. Several local operators offer guided stargazing sessions, often paired with campfire tea or traditional music. You do not need to be an astronomer. You just need to look up and let the stillness take over.

Mecca is the holiest city in Islam and a deeply spiritual place for Muslims around the world. Entry is strictly limited to Muslim visitors, and for them, visiting Mecca is often the journey of a lifetime. The city is a place of devotion and unity that is hard to put into words.

At the centre of it all is Masjid al-Haram, the largest mosque in the world, built around the Kaaba—the sacred black cube toward which Muslims pray. Whether visiting for Umrah or Hajj, or simply experiencing the spiritual atmosphere, the significance of this place is profound. It is a site of unity, reverence, and deep reflection.

Rising above the mosque, the Abraj Al Bait complex includes hotels, a shopping mall, and the Clock Tower Museum. From the observation deck, visitors can look out across the sacred city. The museum inside offers insight into Islamic astronomy and timekeeping.

This quiet, thoughtful museum displays historical artefacts from Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina. Items include intricately carved doors, models of the holy sites, and beautifully preserved manuscripts. It’s a meaningful stop for those wanting to learn more about the history and architecture of Islam’s two most sacred mosques.