Saudi Arabia – A Land Re-awakening
Overview
Long cloaked in mystery, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is now welcoming travellers eager to encounter its deep heritage, raw desert beauty, and bold vision for the future. Ancient caravan routes lead to the rose-gold tombs of Al-ʿUla, the coral-stone alleys of Jeddah’s Al-Balad, and the sacred city of Medina—second-holiest in Islam—while glittering megaprojects such as NEOM showcase tomorrow’s architecture and techno-culture. Whether you come as a pilgrim, an adventurer, or a cultural explorer, Saudi Arabia delivers spiritual depth, dramatic geography (from the Empty Quarterdunes to the Red Sea reefs), and year-round festivals that blend tradition with innovation.
Top Attractions
| Al-ʿUla & Hegra (Madain Salih) | UNESCO-listed Nabataean necropolis of rock-carved façades amid sandstone mesas, now host to art installations and desert concerts. |
| Diriyah, Riyadh | Restored mud-brick capital of the first Saudi state; night-time sound-and-light shows narrate 300 years of history. |
| Medina (Al-Madīnah Al-Munawwarah) | Sacred city of the Prophet—home to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Quba Mosque, and Qiblatain. Non-Muslims may enter greater Medina but not the Haram zone. |
| Rubʿ al-Khali (The Empty Quarter) | Earth’s largest sand sea—vast star-dune fields, salt flats, and silence that humbles; accessible via Shaybah & Wadi Al-Dawasir. |
| Jeddah Al-Balad | Labyrinth of coral-stone houses, ancient souqs, and incense-scented alleys on the Red Sea coast. |
| Red Sea Coast & Islands | Pristine reefs, wreck dives, and soon-to-launch eco-resorts at Amaala and The Red Sea Project. |
| Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn) | Jaw-dropping escarpment with sunrise/sunset panoramas over an ocean of desert. |
| Cultural Seasons & Festivals | Riyadh Season, Jeddah Season, Winter at Tantora (Al-ʿUla), MDLBEAST Sound-Storm, Diriyah Biennale of Contemporary Art. |
Signature Experiences
- Hegra by Night – Torchlit walk among tombs, desert-table dinner, and stargazing with an astronomer.
- Edge-of-the-World Sunrise Hike – Private 4×4 transfer, ridge-top breakfast, and drone-photo session.
- Rubʿ al-Khali Expedition – Three-day 4×4 crossing to towering 300 m dunes, fossil lakes, and a silent night under the Milky Way in a mobile eco-camp.
- Red Sea Live-aboard Dive Safari – Three-night yacht expedition to untouched reefs off the Farasan Banks.
- Diriyah Night Show & Najdi Feast – Immersive projection-mapping followed by a traditional mathbi dinner in an adobe courtyard.
- Winter at Tantora Balloon Flight – Dawn ascent over Al-ʿUla’s rock spires during the Kingdom’s premier arts festival.
- Medina Heritage Walk – (Muslim guests) Guided visit to Prophet’s Mosque, Quba, Qiblatain, and date market with historical storytelling.
Sample Tour Programmes
| Programme | Duration | Snapshot |
| 4-Day Treasures of Al-ʿUla | 3 nights | Hegra VIP entry, Dadan & Jabal Ikmah petroglyphs, Desert X art, luxury tented lodge, canyon sunset & stargazing. |
| 7-Day Sacred Arabia | 6 nights | Medina pilgrimage sites, Diriyah heritage, ancient caravan route to Al-ʿUla; optional Umrah add-on. |
| 10-Day Classic Saudi | 9 nights | Riyadh skyscrapers & souqs, Edge of the World, Al-ʿUla archaeology, Jeddah Al-Balad & Red Sea snorkelling; domestic flights included. |
| 8-Day Empty Quarter Quest | 7 nights | Riyadh to Shaybah by charter flight, three-day Rubʿ al-Khali dune expedition, Wadi al-Dawasir rock art, finish in Jeddah for coral-house heritage. |
*Umrah visas and Haram access are exclusive to Muslims.
Practical Info
- Visa: Electronic tourist eVisa (90 days, multiple-entry) for 60 + nationalities; separate Hajj/Umrah visas for pilgrims.
- Best Time to Visit: October – March (desert highs 15 – 28 °C; festival season). The Empty Quarter is safest Nov – Feb.
- Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR); cards, Apple Pay & Mada Pay accepted almost everywhere.
- Language: Arabic; English widely spoken in tourism hubs.
- Time Zone: GMT + 3 year-round.
- Transport: High-speed Haramain Railway (Makkah-Medina-Jeddah-KAEC); domestic flights link Riyadh, Al-ʿUla, Al-Jouf, and Tabuk. Women can drive and rent cars.
- Dress Code: Modest clothing; abayas optional but welcome. In Medina’s Haram, men wear ankle-length garments, women full-length loose clothing with headscarf.
- Desert Safety: Travel with two vehicles, satellite phone, and 30 L water per person for Rubʿ al-Khali expeditions.