Things to do in Saudi Arabia

Hike along sandstone cliffs to a sheer precipice that plunges into an endless desert horizon, glowing gold at dawn.

Explore over 100 monumental rock-cut tombs of the Nabatean kingdom, a breathtaking UNESCO site less crowded than Petra.

Drift among technicolour corals, parrotfish and hawksbill turtles in one of the world's most accessible tropical reefs.

Get lost in a maze of coral-stone houses, carved wooden balconies and lively souks in this UNESCO-listed old town.

Dig into a fragrant platter of spiced rice, slow-cooked meat and toasted nuts, the kingdom's national dish.

Walk the mud-brick ruins of the first Saudi capital, beautifully restored as a living museum of Najdi architecture.

Photograph the world's largest mirrored building as it reflects the surrounding desert canyons, a stunning architectural gem.

Camp among towering sand dunes that stretch across three countries, a surreal landscape of silence and stars.

Admire a massive sandstone block split by a razor-thin, perfectly straight crack—an otherworldly natural mystery in the desert.

Trek to a vertiginous abandoned village built into the cliffs of the Asir Mountains, once reachable only by rope.

Visit the first mosque of Islam, whose white minarets and silent courtyard offer a deeply spiritual pause.

Haggle over Persian carpets, antique silver and frankincense in the capital's oldest and most atmospheric market.

Taste slow-cooked jareesh, sweet dates and smoky Arabic coffee inside a traditional mudbrick farmstead.

Wander through one of the world's largest natural oases, where cool springs and millions of palms create a lush green refuge.

Sleep amid towering sandstone walls, palm groves and natural springs in Tabuk's hidden valley of giants.

Immerse yourself in art, science and innovation inside a futuristic pebble-shaped landmark in the oil hub of Dhahran.

Swim alongside green turtles and vibrant parrotfish around the coral-fringed archipelago in the southern Red Sea.

Bounce across burnt-orange sand seas in a 4x4 buggy, with nothing but empty horizon and camel treks for company.

Watch traditional Ardah sword-dance performances and browse artisanal stalls in Diriyah's beautifully restored district.

Trace petroglyphs and inscriptions spanning 7,000 years on a desert trail near Najran, a lesser-visited UNESCO gem.

Stroll the palm-lined waterfront as the sun sinks into the Red Sea, with the Floating Mosque silhouetted against the sky.

Scale weathered granite faces with panoramic views over the misty Asir highlands, a rising destination for climbers.

Enter the clay-and-mud citadel where King Abdulaziz recaptured the city in 1902, now a museum telling the unification story.

Sip cardamom-infused Arabic coffee poured from a dallah and sample sukari dates in a plush carpeted reception room.

Wander narrow alleys and restored homes in one of Saudi's most beautiful heritage villages, frozen in time.