Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and keeper of its two holiest cities, has opened its doors to tourism on a scale unimaginable a decade ago. Beyond Mecca and Medina — which remain reserved for Muslim visitors — the Kingdom offers the Nabataean tombs of AlUla, the coral houses of Jeddah's Al-Balad, the dramatic Edge of the World escarpment, and…
Country overview
Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and keeper of its two holiest cities, has opened its doors to tourism on a scale unimaginable a decade ago. Beyond Mecca and Medina — which remain reserved for Muslim visitors — the Kingdom offers the Nabataean tombs of AlUla, the coral houses of Jeddah's Al-Balad, the dramatic Edge of the World escarpment, and the green highlands of Asir. Riyadh has transformed into a gleaming capital of festivals and fine dining, while the Red Sea coast promises world-class diving. It is a destination changing fast, where deep tradition meets ambitious modernity. The Red Sea coast offers world-class diving among coral reefs, while new giga-projects are reshaping the tourism map. Riyadh Season and Jeddah Season bring concerts and festivals each winter, and the culture of Arabic coffee and dates welcomes every guest. Modest dress is expected, and the weekend runs Friday to Saturday in much of the country.
- Capital
- Riyadh
- Languages
- Arabic
- Currency
- Saudi riyal (SAR)
- Region
- Asia
- Best time to visit
- October to March; avoid the peak summer heat
Cities in Saudi Arabia
Alula Guide coming soon
Dammam Guide coming soon
Jeddah Guide coming soon
Mecca Guide coming soon
Medina Guide coming soon
Riyadh Guide coming soon
Taif Guide coming soon
Weather
Live conditions, straight from the forecast — never estimated.
Top attractions
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque)
Islam's second-holiest mosque, built by the Prophet Muhammad, with its iconic green dome and retractable umbrellas.
Masjid al-Haram
The holiest site in Islam, surrounding the Kaaba; the focus of the Hajj pilgrimage (Muslim visitors only).
Hegra (Madain Salih)
Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO site: 111 monumental Nabataean tombs carved into desert cliffs.
At-Turaif District, Diriyah
The mudbrick birthplace of the Saudi state, a UNESCO site now reborn with museums and dining.
Edge of the World
Dramatic 300-meter cliffs dropping from the Tuwaiq escarpment into an endless desert horizon.
Al-Balad
Jeddah's UNESCO-listed old town of coral-stone houses with carved wooden roshan balconies.
Kingdom Centre Tower
Riyadh's iconic bottle-opener skyscraper with a sky bridge observation deck.
Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil)
A giant sandstone rock sculpted by wind into the shape of an elephant, glowing at sunset.
Rijal Almaa
A 900-year-old stone village of painted houses in the green Asir mountains.
Farasan Islands
A Red Sea archipelago of coral reefs, mangroves, and Ottoman-era heritage houses.
Where to stay
Live pricing and availability are not connected — check the property’s official site.
Al Faisaliah Hotel
Riyadh's landmark pyramid-topped luxury hotel with the famous Globe restaurant at its summit.
Live pricing not connected
Ritz-Carlton Riyadh
A palatial hotel in manicured gardens, long the capital's grandest address.
Live pricing not connected
Narcissus Hotel & Spa Riyadh
A well-known luxury hotel in the Al Olaya district with extensive dining.
Live pricing not connected
Ritz-Carlton Jeddah
A waterfront palace-style hotel on the Red Sea corniche.
Live pricing not connected
Our Habitas AlUla
A desert canyon eco-resort blending into the sandstone landscape near Hegra.
Live pricing not connected
Shaza Al Madina
An elegant hotel steps from the Prophet's Mosque, popular with pilgrims.
Live pricing not connected
Where to eat
Live pricing and availability are not connected — check the property’s official site.
The Globe
The glass-domed fine-dining restaurant atop Al Faisaliah tower with panoramic Riyadh views.
Najd Village
A heritage-style restaurant serving authentic Najdi dishes in a mudbrick setting.
Al Baik
Saudi Arabia's beloved homegrown fried-chicken chain, a national institution.
Myazu
Riyadh's leading Japanese restaurant, known for its refined sushi and robata.
Al Tazaj
The famous Saudi grilled-chicken chain founded in Mecca.
Practical information
The essentials for planning — always verify time-sensitive details with official sources before you travel.
Population
Approximately 36 million
Area
2149690
Time zones
UTC+3 (AST)
Driving side
right
Emergency numbers
911
Visa information
Tourist eVisas are available online for many nationalities; check eligibility before travel.
Source: Editorial research · Last updated: 2026-10-10