Travel writing based on first-hand experience
Saudi Arabia is on a mission to attract 100 million visitors annually by 2030, and it’s going all out to boost its tourism sector. While some grand projects like Neom and the Red Sea are still in progress, there are numerous other captivating spots to explore. From deserts and mountains to oases and unique underwater landscapes, Saudi Arabia offers a wealth of places to discover.
We’ve selected 15 particularly fascinating places to visit in Saudi Arabia.
Table of Contents
1. AlUla
AlUla is one-of-a-kind. From the Nabataean tombs of Hegra to the inscription-filled cliffs of Jabal Ikmah, the lion tombs of Dadan, the mudbrick alleys of Old Town, and an oasis threaded with two million date palms—this compact destination is the crown jewel of Saudi tourism.
In summer, heritage sites are blissfully quieter; in winter, the energy shifts to pop-up restaurants, concerts at the mirror-clad Maraya, hot-air balloons at dawn, and hiking among sandstone giants.
2. Asir
The mountainous Asir Province is Saudi’s cool-season refuge—distinct culture, dramatic castles, and characterful museums—without the scorching heat. Expect mist, drizzle, and green hills instead. Base in Abha to range across the region.
Don’t miss the 700-year-old village of Rijal Almaa: terraced, multi-story stone houses with interiors hand-painted in the Al-Qatt Al-Asiri style, a women-led art form recognized by UNESCO.
For a top-of-the-world moment, head to the Al-Dabab Walkway—a 7-km path at 2,200 m with sweeping views of the Sarawat Mountains, waterfalls, stepped farms, and (on lucky days) seas of cloud rolling through the valleys.
3. Jeddah
Red Sea breezes, a legendary food scene, and heritage at every turn—Jeddah is the perfect first stop in Saudi. Stroll the Corniche at sunset, explore the latticed houses of Al-Balad, and taste dishes shaped by centuries of seafaring pilgrims en route to Makkah.
Then meet the Red Sea up close. Local favorites include Abu Tair Island and the wreck of the Staphonos—prime sites where sharks and rays sometimes glide through the blue. Diving here is superb.
4. Khaybar
Khaybar joins AlUla and Tayma as a trio of newly opened oases. Think volcanic fields, photogenic craters, and the kingdom’s longest lava tubes. The ancient oasis clusters around springs and wadis that sustained wildlife and people for millennia—recent archaeology is rewriting the early human story here.
In winter, level up with: luxe tents at the Khaybar Volcano Camp, guided hikes, fortress ruins, and sky-high views via helicopter or tethered balloon.
5. Taif
Up in the hills, Taif is famous for its annual rose harvest. Over 700 farms distill the region’s sought-after rosewater. Visit in March–April to watch petals being gathered and perfumed oils pressed—pink everywhere, fragrance in the air.
But roses aren’t everything. Between heritage villages and mountain switchbacks, the real magic is in the views and hiking. Lace up, and go chase that cool edge-of-summer breeze.
6. Diriyah
Welcome to the birthplace of the First Saudi State. At the core is UNESCO-listed At-Turaif and the mudbrick Salwa Palace, where Najdi architecture meets national history. A massive master plan is unfolding—38 hotels, cultural venues, trails—but for now, make a beeline for Bujairi Terrace for top-tier dining and year-round events.
7. Dammam and Dhahran
Dammam may be known for the King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain, but it’s also your springboard into the Eastern Province. Just 90 minutes away lies Al-Ahsa, the world’s largest self-contained oasis—three million palms, natural springs, and the honeycombed caves of Jabal Al-Qarah.
Next door in Dhahran, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) packs five galleries spanning Middle Eastern art, Saudi heritage, Islamic art, Arabian natural history, and archives—plus a children’s museum, theater, cinema, library, and cafés. The building itself resembles smooth, stacked pebbles—worth the trip alone.
8. Tayma
Final oasis on the ancient Incense Route, Tayma is still yielding surprises. Finds suggest early links with Egypt and a sophisticated society thriving millennia ago. See the 3,000-year-old Temple of Salm and wander among “newer” heritage houses from the last few centuries.
Rent a car in Medina or AlUla and stitch together a self-drive through all three oases of the Incense Route—history, landscapes, and big skies guaranteed.
9. Masmak Fortress in Riyadh
In Riyadh’s historic core, the imposing Masmak Fortress anchors the old quarter of Ad-Dirah, offering a deep dive into the founding of the Saudi state.
Trace mud-brick corridors to museum exhibits on the fortress, early Riyadh, and unification history. Then drift to Alsafat Square, admire the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque, and bargain for trinkets in the colorful Al-Zal Souq.
10. Rijal Almaa
Southwest gateway city Abha leads you to the time-capsule village of Rijal Almaa, with roots close to a thousand years old.
Follow an old trade route through mountains to admire nearly 60 basalt-stone houses with intricate interiors, each telling a story of craft and community.
Stop by the village museum, then push on to the sweeping Al Soudah viewpoints. With time, hike to the Tanomah Waterfall for a greener side of Asir.
11. Jebel Fihrayn
Just outside Riyadh, Jebel Fihrayn—the famed Edge of the World—does exactly what it says: sheer escarpments dropping 300 m to ancient riverbeds and endless desert. The Tuwaiq cliffs seem to run on forever.
Scramble up for horizon-bending views, then trace hiking trails along the ridge to spot hardy flora, camel tracks, and, sometimes, fossil fragments hidden in the rock.
12. Farasan Island
About 40 km off Jazan, the Farasan archipelago fans out into more than 80 islands—wildlife on land, reefs below. Keep an eye out for the Arabian (Farasan) gazelle and birdlife like crab plovers and white-eyed gulls.
Underwater, divers and snorkelers find intact coral gardens, seahorses, manta rays, and, in season, whale sharks. Dramatic drop-offs, caves, and lively currents make this a bucket-list Red Sea experience.
13. Rub al-Khali Desert
Roam the world’s largest continuous sand desert—the Empty Quarter. Dunes roll to every horizon and the silence is spellbinding.
Join a guided safari or overnight in a Bedouin-style camp. Sunset ignites the dunes, and on clear nights the sky becomes an observatory—perfect for stargazing tours and long-exposure photos.
14. Ushaiger
Old Ushaiger sits on the historic Buraidah–Riyadh route to Mecca, founded by Bedouins some 1,500 years ago. Meander its shaded lanes, admire mud-brick houses and elegant mosques, and slow down to its oasis rhythm.
Step into the Ushaiger Museum for embroidered garments, jewelry, and pottery, then unwind beneath ancient olive trees and palm groves—Saudi heritage in soft focus.
15. Al-Wa’bah Crater
Between Medina and Taif, the vast Al-Wa’bah Crater gapes more than a kilometer across and drops nearly 200 m—otherworldly and wonderfully remote.
Hike the rim for solitude and views, then picnic above the chalk-white crater floor and seasonal lake edged with sodium phosphate crystals. The visitor center explains its formation and the surrounding oasis ecology.
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