Saudi Arabia is a very special country in terms of its tourism. This popular country is growing its tourism rapidly. It holds a high position in the world not only because of its health or oil, but also on the basis of its religion and culture. If we talk about its tourism, there are many famous and historical destinations to visit. Makkah and Madianh are two cities in Saudi Arabia where millions of Muslims gather to perform the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
Top destinations to visit in Saudi Arabia include Al-Ula, Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah, Makkah, Edge of the World, and Taif. Apart from these, this country home many other tourist spots, including Abha in the Asir region (famous for its coldness and greenery). It depends on tourists how many places they want to visit because Saudi Arabia is full of spots. However, here we will see the details of the top tourist destinations in Saudi Arabia that you should visit at least once. As a Muslim, you may have a chance to visit them during your pilgrimage.
Riyadh Should Be at the Top of Your Bucket List
Let’s get real! Riyadh isn’t just some random city plopped in the middle of nowhere. This place is the actual heartbeat of Saudi Arabia. And yeah, it’s blowing up fast in Central Saudi Arabia, the Najd region. But honestly, what makes Riyadh worth your precious vacation days?
First off, the city has a history for days. Like, old Saudi Diriyah (UNESCO gave it the thumbs up), the legendary Masmak Fort, and the National Museum that’s packed with more stories. But Riyadh isn’t stuck in the past. It’s flexing with glass-and-steel creatures like the Kingdom Center Tower, Al Faisaliyah (that one with the weird ball on top), and the King Abdullah Financial District, which feels like “move over, Dubai”.
Still, you’re thinking that Riyadh is just a bunch of buildings? Wait till you check out the entertainment and adventure scenes here:
- Winter Wonderland
- Riyadh Zoo
- King Abdullah Park
- Wadi Hunifah
- Kingdom Center Mall
- Riyadh Park Mall
The Saudi government is continuously investing to make Riyadh a global tourist city under its Vision 2030 program. Hence, Riyadh will never disappoint you with its culture and modern luxurious facilities.
Jeddah: A Must-Visit Spot for Every Traveler
Jeddah got vibes from the massive and buzzing shores of the Red Sea, where tourists can enjoy shimmering blue water, wild coral reefs, and palm-lined beaches. If you’re one who loves water sports, try diving, snorkeling, or even jet skiing version of Saudi Arabia.
Jeddah is basically the front door for anyone traveling for Hajj or Umrah. Seriously, it’s super close to Makkah, around one hour of drive, and Madinah is also not too far, around four or five hours of drive.
Now, if you’re looking for places to wander in Jeddah, there’s the Corniche. It’s the endless seaside walkway, with funky sculptures and artworks. You can’t miss the King Fahd Fountain. It literally shoots water so high (over 1000 feet) that it looks like it’s trying to match with sky. Then there’s Al Balad, Old Jeddah, which is a real piece of history with those wooden balconies and ancient houses. You’ll feel like you’ve time-traveled.
Into shopping? Red Sea Mall’s where everyone ends up eventually. If you’re more into art, the Corniche doubles as a giant open-air sculpture museum. Modern, weird, and sometimes confusing objects are all available there and perfect for photography.
You can eat delicious foods from Saudi culture here. Local dishes like Sayadiyah, Kabsa, Mandi, seafood, plus falafel are the best eating options for tourists to try local food. Don’t forget to try on the Turkish spots. If you leave Jeddah hungry, that will be your mistake.
Explore the Timeless Beauty of Al-Ula
Al-Ula is associated with the Lihyanite and Nabatean civilizations, the people who created Jordan (Petra). It’s a very ancient region in Saudi Arabia that holds Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, the Hegra (Madain Saleh). You might be surprised to hear that Hegra has more than 100 rock-cut tombs, which are carved in the mountains. However, apart from its history, Al-Ula is also a paradise for nature lovers.
One of the famous sports in Al-Ula is the Elephant Rock (Jabal Al-Fil). This is a natural sandstone rock formation that resembles an elephant. There are also open-air cafes near the rock where tourists enjoy coffee with a sunset.
Let’s mention some more tourist spots that you can enjoy in Al-Ula:
- Deira Al-Ula (Old Town): to experience the local culture with more than 900 houses located
- Maraya Concert Hall: a mirrored building where international concerts and cultural events occur
- Dadan & Jabal Ikmah: also known as the open library because of ancient Arabic inscriptions written on the stones
- Al-Ula Oasis Trail – a relaxing trail passes through palm trees and natural water channels
- Gharameel Desert – tourists can experience stargazing here. The sky is so clear that tourists can see the Milky Way galaxy.
Madinah: The City of Peace and Spirituality
Madinah is the second-holiest city after Makkah in Islamic culture. This is a very important center of Islam. Masjid an-Nabawi is also located in Madinah, one of the most revered and beautiful mosques in the world. Madinah in today’s era is a peaceful and beautiful modern city as compared to ancient times.
As Madinah is an Islamic and spiritual city, there are also places that tourists can visit. But mostly these places are historical and often known as Ziyarats among the Muslim community. When Muslims travel for an Umrah Trip to Saudi Arabia, they must visit Ziyarats in Madinah after performing Umrah in Makkah. However, non-Muslims are also allowed to visit Madinah but not in Makkah. If you are a Muslim, you can visit these places in Madinah:
- The Baqi Cemetery
- Quba Mosque
- Qiblatain Mosque
- Mount Uhud
- Dar Al-Madinah Museum
- Dates market of Madinah
Stand at the Edge of the World – Saudi’s Natural Wonder
The Edge of the World is actually a very high and long cliff located approximately 90 km northwest of Riyadh. Its real name is Jebel Fihrayn, but tourists often call it the “Edge of the World”. When you stand on the cliff’s edge, it seems as if the ground ends there, and after that, there is only sky and desert. From the top, the entire desert and dry valley is visible. The cliffs are around 300 meters high.
Tourists can enjoy both nature and adventure here. The sunset view and the feeling of silence are also heart-warming. The edge of the world is a perfect place to enjoy photography, camping, and adventures. It is best to go there at sunset. Carry water and snacks with you because there are no stores or shops.
By concluding this article, Saudi Arabia has many top destinations for every type of tourist. Each unique place covers its own history and is full of vibes. You won’t just feel in history there, but modern Saudi Arabia is also calling tourists now. Their tourism has grown in recent years where you will feel like in a contemporary country. So, when are you planning your next tour to Saudi Arabia?
