Saudi Arabia travel guide
Saudi Arabia covers most of the Arabian Peninsula, from Red Sea coral reefs to vast sand deserts and the green highlands of the south-west. Since opening to leisure tourism in 2019, visitors have been able to see Nabataean tombs at Hegra, the mud-brick old towns of Diriyah and Jeddah and wide desert landscapes. It suits travellers interested in archaeology, desert scenery and Arabian culture.
Places worth the trip
AlUla and Hegra
A desert valley of sandstone cliffs in the north-west. Hegra (Al-Hijr), the country's first UNESCO World Heritage site, has more than a hundred monumental Nabataean tombs carved into rock outcrops, and AlUla's old town, Elephant Rock and the mirrored Maraya concert hall are nearby.
Diriyah
On the edge of Riyadh, At-Turaif district was the original seat of the Saudi royal family in the eighteenth century and is a UNESCO-listed complex of restored mud-brick palaces, with museums, restaurants and walkways around it.
Historic Jeddah (Al-Balad)
The old town of the Red Sea port, UNESCO-listed, with tall coral-stone houses decorated with wooden latticed balconies (rawasheen), busy souqs and the city's corniche nearby.
Edge of the World
Dramatic cliffs of the Tuwaiq escarpment north-west of Riyadh, rising high above the desert floor. The track is rough, so most visitors go with a guide in a four-wheel drive.
Riyadh
The capital has the mud-brick Masmak Fortress, the National Museum and modern towers such as the Kingdom Centre with its sky bridge. Its seasonal entertainment events fill the cooler months.
Asir and Abha
A mountainous region in the south-west with cooler weather, terraced fields and stone villages. Rijal Almaa, a village of tall stone houses decorated with white quartz, is the best known.
Red Sea coast
Coral reefs along the coast offer diving and snorkelling, from Jeddah's reef sites to islands such as the Farasan archipelago in the south.
Al-Ahsa Oasis
One of the largest oases in the world, in the Eastern Province, with millions of date palms, springs, canals and caves. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Interesting facts about Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia has no permanent rivers; water comes mainly from desalination and underground aquifers.
- The Rub' al Khali, the Empty Quarter, is the largest continuous sand desert in the world and covers much of the south of the country.
- Makkah and Madinah, the two holiest cities in Islam, are in Saudi Arabia; entry to Makkah is restricted to Muslims.
- The working week runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday as the weekend.
- The Nabataeans, who built Hegra, are also the builders of Petra in Jordan, and Hegra was their largest settlement south of it.
Best time to visit Saudi Arabia
November to March is the best time to visit, with warm days and cool nights; desert nights can be cold. April and October are hot but manageable. From May to September temperatures in the interior and on the coast are extremely high. The Asir highlands are pleasant in summer and popular with residents. Dates of Ramadan and Hajj move each year, and both bring changed opening hours, busy travel and higher prices in certain cities.
Getting around
Distances are huge, so domestic flights are the practical way between Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, Abha and Dammam. The high-speed Haramain railway links Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, and other rail lines connect Riyadh with Dammam and the north. In cities, ride-hailing apps are the norm, and Riyadh has a metro. Renting a car is an option for road trips, with good highways, though driving in cities can be fast and assertive. Desert and mountain trips are best done with a local guide.
Practical details
- Capital
- Riyadh
- Currency
- Saudi riyal (SAR)
- Languages
- Arabic
- Plug types
- G
- Voltage
- 230 V, 60 Hz
- Emergency
- 911 in many regions (also 999 police, 997 ambulance, 998 fire)
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Not obligatory. Around 10% in restaurants is appreciated where no service charge is added, and small tips for drivers and porters are common.
Staying online in Saudi Arabia
Coverage is excellent in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and other cities, with fast 4G and 5G, and good along major highways. Signal fades in the open desert, in the Empty Quarter and in remote parts of the mountains and AlUla valley. Wi-Fi is common in hotels, malls and cafés. Some internet calling features of messaging apps have been restricted in the past, so check that the apps you rely on work. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
Saudi Arabia eSIM plans
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Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Saudi Arabia, V2
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Useful apps
- Careem: Popular ride-hailing app in Saudi cities, also used for food delivery.
- Uber: Widely available in Riyadh, Jeddah and other major cities.
- Google Maps: Navigation in cities and on highways; download offline maps for desert trips.
- Nusuk: The official platform for planning Umrah and visits to the holy sites, for Muslim visitors.
Saudi Arabia travel FAQs
Dress modestly in public, with shoulders and knees covered and loose-fitting clothes. Women visitors are not generally required to wear an abaya or cover their hair, except in mosques, but many choose modest long clothing.
Many shops and some businesses close briefly during the five daily prayer times, particularly at midday and in the evening, and Friday midday is especially quiet. Malls usually stay open, but individual stores may pause, so plan shopping around prayer times.
Yes, networks are fast in cities. Roaming on a home plan is usually expensive, so a travel eSIM gives you local data for maps and ride-hailing while keeping your own number active.
Alcohol is prohibited for general sale, and you should not bring it into the country. Restaurants and cafés serve a wide range of soft drinks, Arabic coffee and fresh juices.