Explore the rock-cut tombs of Hegra (Mada'in Salih)
Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage site, a Nabataean necropolis and sister site to Jordan's Petra, with far fewer visitors than its more famous counterpart.
diskover·us
Home › Destinations › Middle East › Saudi Arabia
Middle East
Things to do in Saudi Arabia
A newly opened kingdom holding one of the largest concentrations of ancient rock-cut tombs outside Jordan, Red Sea reefs rivaling anywhere on Earth, and a scale of desert landscape that's hard to overstate.
Explore Saudi Arabia on the map →Budget$$
Best for9-11 days
CapitalRiyadh
VisaE-visa available online for citizens of over 60 countries including the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia, allowing stays up to 90 days per visit.
CurrencySaudi riyal (SAR)
LanguagesArabic (official); English widely spoken in tourism areas
InternetExcellent
Typical lodging$40–$110/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage127/220V / 60Hz (Type A/B/G plug, mixed)
Time zoneUTC+3
Emergency number997 (police) / 998 (ambulance) / 998 (fire)
Dialing code+966
★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Adventure★★★★★ Photography
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled water recommended. 10–15% expected, often added as a service charge.
Saudi Arabia only began issuing tourist visas to the general public in 2019, making it one of the most recently opened major destinations in the world, and its rock-cut Nabataean tombs at Hegra (Mada'in Salih), a sister site to Jordan's Petra, were the country's first UNESCO World Heritage listing. Its Red Sea coast holds pristine coral reef systems that have remained largely undived by international tourism, now being developed as part of one of the most ambitious tourism expansion projects anywhere on the planet.
When to go
Cool seasonNovember–March
The most comfortable window nationally, with mild desert temperatures suited to outdoor archaeological sites like AlUla and Hegra.
Spring transitionApril
Warming quickly across most of the country, though the Red Sea coast and highlands remain workable longer.
Summer (extreme heat)May–September
Extremely hot across most of the country, particularly inland, with the southern Asir highlands offering a cooler, greener escape.
Autumn transitionOctober
Cooling from summer extremes, a reasonable shoulder month before the comfortable season begins.
20 things to do
▾
Culture & history
10Wander Historic Jeddah's Al-Balad old town
A UNESCO-listed old quarter of coral-stone merchant houses with ornate wooden latticework, reflecting Jeddah's centuries-old role as a Red Sea trading and pilgrimage gateway.
Explore Riyadh's Diriyah, birthplace of the Saudi state
A UNESCO World Heritage mudbrick city on the outskirts of the capital, the ancestral home of the Saudi royal family and now a major cultural restoration project.
Explore the National Museum of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh
A comprehensive museum tracing the Arabian Peninsula's history from prehistory through the founding of the modern Saudi state.
Explore the ancient rock art of the Hail region
UNESCO-listed rock art sites depicting human and animal figures dating back thousands of years, among the largest collections of prehistoric art in the world.
Visit the fortified village of Rijal Almaa in Asir
A striking multi-story stone village built into a mountainside, known for its colorful, geometrically painted interior walls (al-Qatt Al-Asiri).
Explore the futuristic AlUla Maraya mirrored concert hall$27–80
One of the largest mirrored buildings in the world, reflecting the surrounding desert canyon and hosting concerts and cultural events.
Visit the At-Turaif District's mudbrick palaces
The historic seat of the first Saudi state, a UNESCO World Heritage site of restored mudbrick architecture within Diriyah.
Shop at a traditional souq in Riyadh or Jeddah
Historic covered markets selling spices, textiles, and traditional Saudi crafts, offering a genuine slice of everyday commerce alongside the country's modern malls.
Attend the Riyadh Season cultural and entertainment festival
A major annual entertainment festival transforming parts of the capital with concerts, sports, and cultural events, reflecting Saudi Arabia's rapidly expanding entertainment sector.
▾
Adventure & outdoors
3Dive the Red Sea's untouched coral reefs
Pristine reef systems along Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, largely undived by international tourism until recent years, now being developed for high-end diving tourism.
Hike the green highlands of Asir National Park
A cooler, mountainous southern region with juniper forests and terraced villages, offering a striking contrast to Saudi Arabia's desert reputation.
Ride a camel through the AlUla desert at sunset$27–80
A traditional desert experience offered as part of AlUla's tourism development, combining Bedouin heritage with the region's dramatic rock formations.
▾
Nature & scenery
3Explore AlUla's Elephant Rock and desert canyons$27–80
A dramatic sandstone rock formation and surrounding desert landscape at the heart of Saudi Arabia's flagship AlUla tourism development.
Visit the Edge of the World escarpment near Riyadh
A dramatic cliff formation offering sweeping desert views, a popular day trip and sunset spot from the capital.
Explore Jeddah's Corniche and Red Sea waterfront
A lengthy seaside promenade with public art installations, including one of the world's tallest fountains, popular for evening walks.
▾
Food & drink
3Eat kabsa, Saudi Arabia's national spiced rice dish
A spiced rice dish typically served with chicken or lamb, considered the country's defining national dish and central to Saudi hospitality traditions.
Try Saudi Arabian coffee (qahwa) and dates
Cardamom-spiced coffee served with dates is central to Saudi hospitality, poured in a specific ceremonial style at gatherings and welcome rituals.
Try Saudi Arabian mutabbaq and jareesh regional dishes
Regional specialties including a savory stuffed pancake and a cracked-wheat porridge, reflecting the diversity of Saudi Arabia's regional culinary traditions.
▾
Luxury
1Explore the Red Sea island resorts under development
A major luxury tourism project transforming previously untouched Red Sea islands into high-end eco-resort destinations.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
Citizens of over 60 countries including the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia can get an e-visa online, allowing stays up to 90 days per visit.
▾What should I know about dress code and cultural norms?
Modest dress is expected for all visitors, and while the strictest historical rules have relaxed significantly since tourism opened in 2019, it's worth researching current specific guidance, particularly for women, before your trip.
▾Is alcohol available in Saudi Arabia?
No. Saudi Arabia remains a fully dry country with no legal alcohol sales or consumption anywhere, one of the strictest policies in the Gulf region.
▾What is Hegra, and how does it compare to Petra?
Hegra (Mada'in Salih) is a Nabataean rock-cut tomb complex, a sister site to Jordan's more famous Petra, and was Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage listing, with far fewer visitors than its Jordanian counterpart.
▾How many days does Saudi Arabia need?
9-11 days lets you combine AlUla's ancient sites, Riyadh, and either the Red Sea coast or the historic Hejaz region around Jeddah, given the country's vast size.
▾How much does it cost to visit AlUla and Madain Saleh?
Entry to AlUla's archaeological sites, including the Nabatean tombs of Hegra, typically requires booking through the AlUla app, with guided experiences running roughly SAR 100-300 (about $27-80) depending on the tour. Saudi Arabia's tourism infrastructure is still developing rapidly, so prices and booking processes can change from one season to the next. Check current listings before you travel.