Top 10 Saudi Experiences
Whether you choose to climb to the top of the highest mountain, 3000 meters above sea level, dive into the magical wonders of the corals and marine life of the Red Sea or cross the largest palm oasis in the world growing more than 2.5 million palm trees, all of these exciting experiences, and more, await you in Saudi.
Get ready to be part of the largest international events inside the most prominent cities of Saudi. Set out to discover the unique charm of Saudi generosity and heartfelt hospitality. Feast on the distinctively delicious traditional food. Witness the most mesmerizing iconic architectural masterpieces. And, discover the enchanting world of oriental scents.
1 Go on an authentic Arabian Food Tour: Food is a focal point of travel, especially when you take time to get to know a place through its cuisine. Plan a trip to Saudi Arabia, and your taste buds won’t be disappointed at breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert. In Saudi, the culinary scene is diverse, delicious and booming. From delectable gourmet cuisine to fragrant Arabic dishes, there's something to suit every pallet.
2 Shop like a local in Riyadh’s Deira Souq: In many cities around the world, you may find an old market that’s become a staple for locals. In Saudi’s capital city of Riyadh, it’s the Deira Souq. Here you’ll find Egyptian cotton pajamas, Cambodian incense, Korean speakers, Yemeni honey and Persian carpets.
3Hike to The Edge of the World: The Edge of the World, or Jebel Fihrayn, is aptly named. Located about a 90-minute drive outside Riyadh, it forms part of the vast Tuwaiq cliffs, which stretch over more than 370 miles through central Saudi. These dramatic views earned the site its nickname and have helped turn it into one of Riyadh’s most popular tourist destinations
4 Explore Taif’s Rose Gardens: The historic city of Taif is the main exporter of perfumes in the Arab World. Because of Taif’s mild weather, combined with its mountainous topography, the flowers Taif produces have led to a unique perfume scent, known as “Taifi”, or “of Taif origin”. The scent has also been cultivated from roses to make a distinct Taifi perfume fragrance that is considered one of the most exquisite across the world. The byproduct of these flowers is also used to make rosewater and rose oil.
5Stargazing at Moon Mountain: For those looking to stargaze under get-black night skies or bound over rolling sand banks, a trip to the outskirts of Jeddah should be on the top of their travel list. The combination of otherworldly outcrops, pitted dunes, and the solitude of the sands draws travelers of all stripes, keen to sample this most timeless part of Saudi.
6Red Sea Diving and Snorkeling: Untouched and pristine, the world that lies beneath Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea is the final frontier of diving. Home to more than 1,200 species of fish (20% of which are found only in the Red Sea), Saudi is home to exciting and undiscovered diving destinations for adventure travelers.
7Exploring Umluj and its islands: Saudi is host to spectacular and largely unexplored beach destinations. Think palm trees swaying in the breeze, golden stretches of sand and tranquil blue waters. Umluj is a small coastal town with islands frequently referred to as the Maldives of Saudi Arabia. North of the town of Umluj, travelers can venture to more than 100 small islands known for their egg-white sands and ancient palm trees.
8Go back in time in AlUla: AlUla, deep in the desert in Saudi's northwestern region, is home to Saudi’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, Hegra. Visitors can experience ancient tombs that remain from 7,000 years of human civilization, stunning natural rock formations and canyons, a plethora of adventure sports options and cutting-edge art installations.
9Explore Diriyah: Diriyah’s historical center is the UNESCO-listed site of At-Turaif, which was founded in the 15th century. It is the original seat of power of Saudi Arabia’s Al Saud family and contains ruins of mud-brick houses connected by narrow alleyways. The site has not been open to the public since it gained its UNESCO designation in 2010. The redevelopment of the area will enable people to walk through the ruins as well as the myriad museums and other spaces found inside.
10Tour Al Balad in historical Jeddah: Jeddah’s Al Balad is famous for its intricately designed houses, built using coral from the depths of the Red Sea and boasting colorful rawasheen balconies, known as mashrabiyyahs. It’s unique architecture, which is still preserved today, is not seen anywhere else in the world and serves as a reminder of what the medieval city’s ancient walls once looked like. Al Balad, otherwise known as Historical Old Jeddah, is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Its existence may date back to the era before Islam with some of the buildings estimated to be 400 years old.
