For decades, Saudi Arabia was a destination most non-Muslim travelers never considered. No tourist visa. No nightlife. No entry for many. Then, almost overnight, everything changed. The Kingdom opened its doors, and what travelers found inside stunned them — ancient cities carved into rose-red rock, pristine Red Sea coral reefs, and a hospitality so warm it borders on overwhelming.
This is not the Saudi Arabia you think you know. This is a country in the middle of one of the most dramatic transformations in modern travel history — and right now, before the crowds arrive, is the perfect time to visit.
Top places to visit in Saudi Arabia
AlUla — the Petra you’ve never heard of
A UNESCO-listed ancient city carved into dramatic sandstone cliffs, AlUla is Saudi Arabia’s crown jewel. Walk through Hegra — the first Saudi site on the UNESCO World Heritage List — and explore Nabataean tombs that predate Petra. The landscape alone, with its surreal rock formations and golden valleys, is worth the flight. Don’t miss the outdoor art installations at the Winter at Tantora festival if you visit between December and March.
Riyadh — the capital that never sleeps
Saudi Arabia’s pulsing capital is a city of contrasts — ancient mud-brick forts beside glass skyscrapers, quiet souqs next to world-class restaurants. Visit Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi state, now transformed into an open-air heritage district. The National Museum is one of the best in the region. And after dark, the city’s café culture and dining scene will completely shatter your expectations.
Jeddah — gateway to the Red Sea
Saudi Arabia’s most cosmopolitan city sits on the edge of one of the world’s best diving destinations. Al-Balad, Jeddah’s historic old town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of coral-brick buildings and intricately carved wooden balconies. By day, explore the souqs. By sunset, walk the 30km Corniche along the sea. By night, eat some of the best seafood of your life.
The Red Sea coast — a diver’s paradise
With over 1,200km of coastline and coral reefs largely untouched by mass tourism, Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea is a world-class diving destination that most people don’t even know exists. The waters around Yanbu and the NEOM coastline are crystal-clear, teeming with reef sharks, sea turtles, and vibrant coral. Visibility regularly exceeds 30 metres. This is what the Maldives looked like 40 years ago.
Asir region — the Saudi highlands
Forget the desert. The Asir mountains in the southwest of the country receive monsoon rains, creating cool green terraces, fruit orchards, and villages perched on dramatic clifftops. Abha is the main city — a welcome escape from summer heat. The traditional mud-and-stone architecture here looks nothing like anything else in the Gulf. This is Saudi Arabia’s best-kept secret.
The Empty Quarter — the world’s largest sand desert
The Rub’ al Khali is 650,000 square kilometres of sand dunes — some towering over 250 metres high. It is one of the most alien landscapes on Earth. Overnight desert camps let you experience the silence, the stars, and the sunrise over an ocean of gold. If you’ve ever wanted to feel truly small, this is the place.
Things to do in Saudi Arabia
Experience Saudi food culture
Saudi cuisine is one of the most underrated in the world. Start with kabsa — slow-cooked rice with spiced meat that is the national dish. Try mutabbaq, a stuffed pastry sold in street stalls. Drink qahwa, the aromatic cardamom-spiced coffee served with dates everywhere you go. The food alone is a reason to visit.
Explore the souqs
Saudi markets are a sensory overload in the best possible way. The souqs of Jeddah sell frankincense, handwoven textiles, gold jewellery, and spices by the kilogram. Bargaining is expected, tea will be offered, and you will leave with more than you planned to buy. That is a guarantee.
Attend a desert festival
The Winter at Tantora festival in AlUla (December–March) is one of the most extraordinary cultural events in the world — concerts, art installations, camel racing, and stargazing in a setting that looks like another planet. The Riyadh Season festival transforms the capital into an entertainment city with events running from October through March.
Go dune bashing and quad biking
No visit to Saudi Arabia is complete without getting into the desert properly. Tour operators across the country offer dune bashing in 4x4s, quad biking, and camel trekking experiences that range from an afternoon to multi-day expeditions.
- Tourist e-visas are available online for citizens of 49+ countries — takes minutes to apply
- Best time to visit: October to March when temperatures are mild (20–28°C)
- Dress modestly in public — loose, covering clothing is respectful and expected
- Alcohol is not available — but the coffee, juice, and mocktail scene is exceptional
- English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants
- The currency is the Saudi Riyal (SAR) — cards are accepted almost everywhere
- Safety: Saudi Arabia consistently ranks as one of the safest countries for tourists
Is Saudi Arabia worth visiting?
Bluntly — yes. Overwhelmingly yes. Saudi Arabia offers what is increasingly rare in modern travel: genuine discovery. You will arrive with assumptions and leave with almost none of them intact. The history is staggering, the landscapes are extraordinary, the food is wonderful, and the people are among the most hospitable you will encounter anywhere in the world.
The country is changing fast. The crowds that have not yet arrived will arrive. The prices that are still reasonable will not stay that way. The experience of having AlUla almost to yourself — standing in a Nabataean tomb with no one else around — is a window that is still open, but not for much longer.
Saudi Arabia tourism is no longer a question of if — it is a question of when. And every traveler who has been will tell you the same thing: go sooner than you think.
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