10 Best Places To Visit In Saudi Arabia
Looking for the best places to visit in Saudi Arabia? You’re at the right place.
I live in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and have explored the country and its many beautiful places several times.
Before I moved to Riyadh, I used to think of Saudi Arabia as one vast desert. But I was so wrong! Not only has Saudi Arabia got one of the largest (mostly uninhabited) deserts in the world, but it is also full of charming heritage towns, lush green islands, historic places dating to the 1st century, and modern megacities with futuristic architecture.
Here’s a list of my 10 favorite places in Saudi Arabia that you definitely need to add to your Middle Eastern itinerary.
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Top 10 Places to Visit in Saudi Arabia
AlUla
Visiting Saudi Arabia for the first time? You cannot miss visiting AlUla.
A historic region in northwestern Saudi Arabia, AlUla has been on the crossroads of civilizations for centuries. Ancient civilizations like the Dadanites, Lihyanites, and Nabataeans have called AlUla home and have left their traces behind.
The most iconic thing to do in AlUla is to visit the monumental Nabataean tombs of Hegra that look very similar to the ones you have seen in Petra.
Do not miss checking out the unique Lion Tombs of Dadan and the prehistoric rock art of Jabal Ikmah in AlUla.
Once done with all the history, head to AlUla Old Town and roam its quaint streets, hop into buzzing cafes, taste delectable Saudi cuisine, and get yourself some local souvenirs.
★ Related Read: Top 10 Things to Do in AlUla
Riyadh
Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia and is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country now.
Riyadh is a beautiful fusion of tradition and modernity, which is what I enjoy about the city.
On a day in Riyadh, you can explore the old Masmak Palace, visit the Saudi National Museum, have a cup of coffee at the happening Tahliah Street, and enjoy the sunset atop the Kingdom Tower.
I live in Riyadh, and my favorite bit about the city is its ever-evolving food scene, which includes lots of Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Mexican, and Italian restaurants apart from traditional Middle Eastern food (which I love, by the way!).
Diriyah
Located just 30 minutes northwest of Riyadh is the old city of Diriyah, the exact place where the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia began in the 15th century.
The At-Turaif district in Diriyah, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a fascinating example of traditional Najdi architecture. Najdi architecture comprises mud-brick buildings, open courtyards, and small Najdi triangles that allow ventilation despite being discreet. It was quite possibly a perfect desert city, much like the Old Town of Dubai.
In Diriyah, you’ll also find a very chic and happening Bujairi Terrace that’s home to numerous restaurants and cafes overlooking the ruins of At-Turaif. It is a great idea to enjoy a sumptuous meal at one of these restaurants after a half-day tour of Diriyah.
Abha
Located high in the Asir Mountains in the south, almost bordering Yemen, Abha is the summer capital of Saudi Arabia.
The weather is pleasant in Abha, and temperatures rarely go above 90 F (35 C), even in summer when the heat becomes unbearable in the rest of the country.
Abha is home to thousands of jacaranda trees that bloom every year in spring (April-May) and turn the entire city purple. It is a wonderful experience to walk under the purple canopy at Art Street and Abu Kheyal Park.
When you’re not checking out jacaranda blooms, be sure to head to the Al Basta and Al Muftaha heritage districts in Abha for an immersion into local culture. The city also has several nice museums, such as the Fatimah Museum, a treasure house of Al-Qatt paintings.
★ Related Read: Planning a trip to Abha? Read our detailed Abha Travel Guide.
Rijal Almaa
Just a couple of hours away from the Asiri capital city of Abha is the beautiful fairytale village of Rijal Almaa.
Rijal Almaa, often called the “Gingerbread Village of Saudi Arabia,” is a charming small town filled with old mansions that look like forts. The best thing about them is their stone and clay architecture and tiny, colored windows bordered by a layer of white gypsum. The entire ensemble looks like a huge gingerbread cookie.
The town is home to the Rijal Almaa Museum (located in the largest gingerbread mansion called the Al-Elwan Fort). The museum gives rich insights into the life and culture of the Asiri people.
Be sure to notice the colorful Al-Qatt paintings that decorate the museum walls and houses in Rijal Almaa. When you’re done, enjoy a hearty serving of haneeth—slow-cooked lamb served over a bed of rice.
★ Related Read: Planning a trip to Rijal Almaa? Read our detailed Rijal Almaa Travel Guide.
Jeddah
Image courtesy: Luca Ladi Bucciolini from Getty Images Signature via Canva Pro.
The largest port city of Saudi Arabia, Jeddah, on the Red Sea Coast, is home to numerous cultural and natural attractions.
Since antiquity, Jeddah has been an important stop for traders on the ancient spice and incense routes. In the 7th century, it became the gateway port for Hajj pilgrims from all over the world.
When in Jeddah, be sure to check out its UNESCO-listed historic center called Al Balad, whose labyrinthine streets are filled with beautiful wooden houses complete with hanging windows called rawasheens. The vibrant souks of Jeddah, like Qabil Street and Bawadi Market, are unmissable.
One of the best things to do in Jeddah is to walk along the Corniche, the seaside promenade always bustling with activity. Do not miss Al Rahma Floating Mosque and King Fahd Fountain, the tallest water fountain in the world.
Taif
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Taif, a charming city in Saudi Arabia, is known for its cool climate and beautiful landscapes.
The city was recently in the news because of its age-old rose farming, harvesting, and distilling processes, which were incorporated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Now, you can guess that one of the best things to do in Taif is visit a rose farm to experience harvesting and production. The Taif Rose Festival happens between March and April every year, so that’s the best time to go.
Taif is also home to many almond trees that bloom in February every year. If you can club roses and almond blossoms together, that gives you the best spring destination in the Middle East.
Apart from the flowers, Taif is also home to the impressive Shubhra Palace, the Almasayif Museum, and the majestic mountains of Al-Hada and Al-Shafa.
Ushaiqer
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Ushaiqer is a beautiful historic town in Saudi Arabia that’s full of heritage buildings representative of the region’s Najdi architecture style.
Like all other places in Saudi Arabia, I recommend visiting Ushaiqer on a guided tour because that will give you rich insights into the history and culture of the place.
If you visit on your own (which you can do if you have a car), you’ll probably just keep wandering the streets like we did the first time. A guided tour, on the other hand, takes you inside a traditional Najd house that’s now an antique museum, allows you to feast on authentic Najdi food, and view the city from unique vantage points.
Located just 125 miles (200 km) northwest of Riyadh, Ushaiqer is easily visited on a full-day tour like this one.
★ Pro Tip: Check out this Ushaiqer day tour now.
Farasan Islands
Image courtesy: Felix Friebe from Getty Images via Canva Pro.
Because of its long coastline, Saudi Arabia is also home to numerous islands, the prettiest of which are the Farasan Islands.
Located just 40 minutes from Jazan on the Red Sea Coast, the Farasan Islands are an archipelago of 80+ islands teeming with corals, marine life, and tropical plants. It is one of the best places in Saudi Arabia to go snorkeling and diving. The golden sand beaches are absolutely lovely.
Here, you’ll also find the charming village of Al-Qassar, known for its 400 heritage houses built of stone and palm fronds. History tells us that Al-Qassar was one of the earliest inhabited towns in Saudi Arabia, with evidence pointing to people living here during the Roman era.
Jubbah
If you want to see prehistoric rock art, you’re in for a treat in Saudi Arabia.
Ancient rock carvings and inscriptions are found throughout the country, including the UNESCO-listed sites of Jubbah and Shuwaymis in the northern part of the country. Jabal Ikmah in AlUla is also a great rock art destination to add to your Saudi Arabia itinerary.
Some of these petroglyphs and inscriptions date back over 10,000 years! They provide rich insights into life in the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras, including the kind of animals that survived in the region—there were a lot of ostriches, apparently; can you imagine that—the musical instruments people played then, the scripts they used, and so much more!
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