Things to do in Saudi Arabia

25 things to do in Saudi Arabia

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Watch sunrise from the Edge of the World

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

  Riyadh Province

• Wander through the ancient tombs of Hegra (Madain Saleh)

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

  Al-Ula

• Dive the pristine coral reefs of the Red Sea off Jeddah

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

  Jeddah

• Stroll through Al-Balad, Jeddah's historic district

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

  Jeddah

• Savour traditional Saudi Kabsa in a local Riyadh restaurant

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

  Riyadh

• Explore Diriyah's At-Turaif UNESCO site

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

  Diriyah

• Marvel at the mirrored Maraya Concert Hall in Al-Ula

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

  Al-Ula

• Experience the vastness of Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter) desert

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

  Shaybah

• Visit the ancient Al Naslaa rock formation in Tayma

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

  Tayma

• Hike the terraced cliffs of Al Habala hanging village

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

  Asir Province

• Pray at the Quba Mosque in Medina

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

  Medina

• Shop for spices and traditional crafts at Souq Al Zal in Riyadh

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

  Riyadh

• Dine at a farm-to-table Najdi experience in Al Ghat

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

  Al Ghat

• Explore the Al Ahsa Oasis, a UNESCO-listed date palm paradise

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

  Al Ahsa

• Camp under the stars in Wadi Al Disah

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

  Tabuk Province

• Discover the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra)

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

  Dhahran

• Snorkel with turtles at the Farasan Islands

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

  Farasan Islands

• Ride a dune buggy over the golden Nafud Desert

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

  Hail Province

• Attend a cultural show at Al Bujairi Heritage Park

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

  Diriyah

• Witness the ancient rock art of Hima Cultural Area

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

  Najran Province

• Walk the Jeddah Corniche at sunset

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

  Jeddah

• Go rock climbing on the granite domes of Tanomah

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

  Tanomah

• Step inside the Al Masmak Fortress in Riyadh

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

  Riyadh

• Taste Saudi coffee and fresh dates in a traditional majlis

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

  Jeddah (Al-Balad)

• Explore the abandoned mud-brick village of Ushaiger

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

  Ushaiger