10 Best Places to Visit in Saudi Arabia

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Scouting beautiful places in Saudi isn’t hard at all since the place is a treasure trove of beautiful landscapes, enthralling experiences, and hidden surprises. The difficult part is choosing which ones to go for and which ones to keep for your second trip. Trust us when we tell you that you will be visiting Saudi again and again!

So, to make things easier for you, we have curated the 10 most famous places in Saudi that must make it to your list. We have handpicked these locations that we believe will showcase the essence of the rustic kingdom of Saudi and make you fall head over heels in love with it.

Breath-Taking Places to Visit in Saudi

Let us get started then, shall we? Here are 10 tourist places in Saudi that will leave you swooning:

1. The Gardens – Riyadh

The capital of this holy land, Riyadh literally means “The Gardens” in English, and it undoubtedly offers you the same solace that a beautiful garden would. Riyadh is a business hub, and is often considered to have, singlehandedly, put Saudi on the global map.

Explore the majestic dunes of Saudi including the incredible Rub Al Khali, a huge stretch of endless horizon of softly rolling dunes rising from the ground with its highest dunes reaching 250 meters. The desert’s gigantic size is overwhelming, but it’s still loved by adventurous travellers. The massive sand dunes of Rub Al Khali feature a collection of diverse sands including longitudinal, crescent sands and dome shaped. Apart from a spectacular time discovering the secrets of the desert, you can also take a trip down memory lane by spending a day at the Masmak Fortress. This 19^th century palace played a crucial role in the Battle of Riyadh, which ultimately unified Saudi. For history buffs and architecture admirers, this is a must-see.

2. Bride of the Red Sea – Jeddah

The gateway to the holy lands of Makkah and Medina, Jeddah is a port city along the Red Sea. That is why people in love with this city call it the Bride of the Red Sea.

Once you make your way to Jeddah, a whole new world opens up. While you can spend evenings taking in views of the coastline and enjoying ambrosial meals, you can also go for dives in case you are seeking thrills. If this is your first time in Saudi, then expect Jeddah to win you over almost instantly.

3. The Original Abode of the Royals – Ad Diriyah

Ad Diriyah was acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site about a decade ago. This land of mud brick architecture was the home of the founders of Saudi, and as such, it can offer you a deep insight into the lives of the early royals of this country.

One of the most beautiful places in Saudi, Al Bujairy in Ad Diriyah is a Heritage Park peppered with palm trees, restaurants, museums and more. If all goes well, soon the site will also have an open-air museum offering you a sneak peek into the lives of traditional Arabs.

4. The Land of Lawrence of Arabia – Yanbu

Yanbu is an amalgamation of two distinct cities, but it is the old town that treasures all its charms. It houses the abode of T.E. Lawrence, the British officer who changed the Arab world and who inspired the movie of the same name.

Adventure lovers can climb Radwa Mount, a colossal mountain range that’s red coloured, and marvel at its unique biodiversity. Or they can go diving into the rich, warm waters of the Red Sea to explore a living reef born of a shipwreck.

For quieter sporting activities, the Yanbu waterfront is a great place for birdwatching and fishing.

5. Home of the Flower Men – Asir

Named after the Asir tribe of Saudi, the Asir province is home to one of the most beautiful cities in Saudi. We are talking about Abha, the capital of Asir.

Located at an elevation of 2200m, Abha is more pleasant to jaunt about compared to some of the other mountainous areas around the country. An absolutely unmissable attraction in Abha is the rugged cliffs of the Asir National Park. Enveloped in juniper forests, this national park hosts a plethora of rare flora and bird species that will make your holiday worth every penny.

6. The Ancient City – AlUla

A natural masterpiece, AlUla is definitely among the most famous places in Saudi. A part of the incense trade route, this ancient city has several gems hidden for you to explore.

Start your holiday in AlUla by studying the rock-cut tombs of Dadan. Then channel your inner Indiana Jones while visiting Jabal Ikmah. And do end your trip by staying overnight at the desert looking at the twinkling stars in true nomadic Arab style.

7. The Untouched Wonder – Hegra

The first archaeological spectacle to be emblazoned by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Hegra deserves a special mention on this list of Saudi places to visit.

With glimpses of the Nabataean Kingdom still intact, Hegra is a beauty that spellbinds you. Take the time to also visit Elephant Rock and marvel at this looming natural phenomenon. Surrounded by gilded sands, an afternoon at this site will leave you gasping for breath.

8. A Place of Natural Wonders – Jizan

Adored as the Pearl of the South, Jizan ticks every box that all splendid Saudi tourist attractions do, and more. To be honest, a Saudi vacation is incomplete if you miss the boat on visiting Jizan.

An amalgamation of culture and nature, Jizan will bewitch you with its virgin Farasan islands. The islands are renowned for their cerulean waters, coral reefs and other wondrous marine lives that call it home. The months between November and February are ideal for a holiday to this port city.

When in Jizan, be sure to devour all kinds of tropical fruits that the city blesses you with. From the king of all fruits, mangoes, to figs and papayas, you are going to be spoilt for choices.

9. One of the World’s Biggest Oases – Al Ahsa

Between Riyadh and Dammam lies one of the world’s biggest oases, Al Ahsa. Imagine travellers journeying through the sands and stopping at Al Ahsa’s waters for some respite.

From caves to souqs, Al Ahsa has several delights up its sleeves to charm you during your holiday in Saudi.

A mirror to the country’s rich culture and past, Al Ahsa must be on your list of places to visit when in Saudi.

10. An explorer’s paradise – Tabuk

If archaeological sites wake up the Indiana Jones in you, then it is time to wear a fedora, carry a whip, and visit Tabuk.

The city of Tabuk has aplenty to offer a traveller. From souqs that sell the grandest rugs and carpets to coastal towns with untouched beaches, you can have a gala time in Tabuk.

For a connoisseur of flavours, Tabuk has a variety of cuisines to impress. From dishes like Magloba to comfort food like Jamariah, Tabuk will please your tongue and your heart.

This brings us to the end of the list of 10 incredible places to visit in Saudi.

Once you land in Saudi and make your way to these cities and towns, you will see that the places will take you in with open arms. Every nook and corner will call upon you and encourage you to go deeper.

Unbeaten paths, roads less travelled, these are what make a holiday truly a thrilling experience. We wish that for you too.