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Saudi Arabia was, only a few years ago, almost completely inaccessible to tourists outside of Islamic religious visits. It has long been a country of myths, folklore, trade routes and rumours. Heavily talked about but seldom seen; it is a hidden, sand swept and pious kingdom. Visions of caravans from antiquity, roving through mysterious and untouched ruins juxtapose against images of high-rise metropolises, modern malls and more Dunkin’ Donuts than you can count. Which parts would you want to include on your Saudi Arabia Itinerary?
We spent an utterly surprising month in Saudi Arabia. From the stereotypical sand dunes to vast volcanic craters and ancient mountain towns, we explored all corners of this enormous, rarely visited country yet still have so much more to return for. It was a fascinating trip from beginning to end, so if you’re looking for a safe but adventurous, exciting, new destination – look no further because this is it.
This Saudi Arabia itinerary and guide has absolutely everything we learned over our month in the country, including transport options, our personal highlights, prices, food, safety and visas. Plus, a full one-month itinerary that can be split into sections depending on how much time you have.
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IN THIS GUIDE //
Saudi Arabia Itinerary
ARRIVING IN SAUDI ARABIA
HIGHLIGHTS OF SAUDI ARABIA
HOW LONG IS THIS SAUDI ARABIA ITINERARY?
VISAS FOR SAUDI ARABIA
BEST TIME TO VISIT SAUDI ARABIA
LANGUAGE IN SAUDI ARABIA
HOTELS IN SAUDI ARABIA
IS SAUDI ARABIA EXPENSIVE?
TRANSPORT FOR THIS SAUDI ARABIA ITINERARY
FOOD IN SAUDI ARABIA
IS SAUDI ARABIA SAFE?
WHAT TO WEAR IN SAUDI ARABIA
CAN NON-MUSLIMS VISIT MADINAH OR MAKKAH?
SAUDI ARABIA ITINERARY MAP
SAUDI ARABIA ITINERARY OVERVIEW
SAUDI ARABIA ITINERARY
– CENTRAL EAST SAUDI ARABIA
– CENTRAL WEST SAUDI ARABIA
– SOUTH WEST SAUDI ARABIA
– NORTH WEST SAUDI ARABIA
FINAL THOUGHTS – SAUDI ARABIA ITINERARY
ARRIVING IN SAUDI ARABIA
Almost every visitor arriving into Saudi Arabia comes via air. There’s a whole bunch of international airports, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Abha. Where you choose to arrive will depend on flight routes from your departure point as well as which region you might want to explore.
We book every flight via Skyscanner. Along with showcasing the cheapest routes to a destination country, it has prices for all the regional budget Saudi Airlines, such as Flynas and Flyadeal (which you can use to get around Saudi Arabia if you don’t like driving long distances).
Other methods of arriving in Saudi Arabia involve bus or even boat. Common overland routes into Saudi Arabia are from Bahrain into Dammam, Abu Dhabi to Riyadh and from southern Jordan to Tabuq (as far as I’m aware there are no organised buses for the latter). For information on the Bahrain and Abu Dhabi buses, check out Saptco, the national bus service in Saudi Arabia. The website is easy to use and gives details of the trip including price (in Saudi riyals, SAR), travel time, and any stops.
There are boats from Egypt and Sudan, servicing various Red Sea cities within Saudi Arabia. I’ve heard of people having their camera gear confiscated via these routes but have yet to take them ourselves.
You can also drive to Saudi Arabia from other Gulf states if you are a GCC resident.
HIGHLIGHTS OF SAUDI ARABIA
After a month driving around Saudi Arabia, we have a huge list of highlights! We wrote about our 11 most beautiful moments in Saudi Arabia if you’re looking for a little bit of inspiration for your trip. Some of our favourite places include:
◊ Al Balad, Jeddah
◊ Al Wa’bah Crater
◊ Al Ula’s scenery
◊ ‘Asir Mountains and the Al-Qatt Al-Asiri art
◊ Al Hada Mountain
During our experience, and this may sound cliché, it was often the residents of Saudi Arabia who were a highlight. Saudi Arabia gets relatively few western visitors, especially outside the main cities, but we were always welcomed with incredible grace and hospitality. This was universal, in every region, across the country.
We always had help when we needed it, many people spoke surprisingly great English and, although we often felt ‘out of place’ (I didn’t wear an abaya, for example), it was never in a negative way.

HOW LONG TO SPEND ON THIS SAUDI ARABIA ITINERARY
Saudi Arabia is huge. You can spend up to three months of a year in the country, which would be ideal! In reality though, two to four weeks would be an adequate amount of time to see some of the highlights.
Two weeks would give you enough time for several regions, while four would give you a speed tour through all the highlights. We personally recommend driving wherever possible, which gives a little more flexibility than flying (we’ve mentioned driving distances where we feel it is helpful).
VISAS FOR SAUDI ARABIA
As of 2024, a Saudi e-visa is available for 66 countries. It costs 300 SAR (plus 140 SAR for health insurance) and provides access to the country for up to three months (with multiple entries) for one year.
This visa also has health insurance, which is excellent since some governments advise against travel to the southern border with Yemen. Government advisories like this are problematic since they often significantly over-represent the dangers of a region while also invalidating most standard insurance policies. Southern Saudi Arabia is a lovely region to visit (our favourite in fact) and it would be a shame to otherwise miss out because an insurance policy wouldn’t cover you to travel there.
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11 BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN SAUDI ARABIA | SAUDI ARABIA’S GINGERBREAD VILLAGE
BEST TIME TO VISIT SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Arabia is huge and so is its range of weather; the nation sees 40-degree summers, snowy mountains, extreme rain, blanketing fog and more. If you only intend on visiting a specific region, it is worth checking the regional forecasts since the weather varies wildly across the country. We saw all the above weather conditions, as well as a small tornado, in March-April while driving around the kingdom!
In general, however, it is worth avoiding visiting in the height of summer, between May and September. Most places in the country (bar the southern mountains) are uncomfortably hot. We visited in spring, when, even in the desert lowlands, it was mostly not too hot.
The ‘Asir mountains in the south are lovely in summer, however, they are also a popular spot for Saudi Arabian residents escaping the heat of the summer. We visited ‘Asir in March, and although the temperatures were fine, it was so incredibly rainy. We’re talking flooded roads and extreme, dangerous fog in the mountains. We even saw some snow in the mountains, while driving through a village.
Also, if you are not Muslim, do not book a trip to Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season (at least not to the central west coast!). Flights to Jeddah are usually only allowed for Hajj pilgrims during this time and it is a super busy, hectic period to travel around Makkah, Taif and Jeddah.

LANGUAGE IN SAUDI ARABIA
Arabic is the language of Saudi Arabia but we don’t speak much Arabic! Despite this, it was easy to get around as quite a lot of people spoke some English and Google Translate worked a charm with the camera/photo option.
Most small, local shops do not have signs in English, unlike places like Oman (where every shop sign is translated into at least rudimentary English). However, in larger supermarkets like Lulu and Carrefour, food is labelled in both languages and prices are written in English numbers.
It is useful to speak a few polite words, like greetings and ‘thank you’, as well as learning to read some rudimentary numbers (especially useful if you are driving – a lot of the speed signs are only in Arabic numerals in Saudi Arabia).
HOTELS IN SAUDI ARABIA
In the major cities, Saudi Arabia has a whole slew of hotels of all standards. In places like Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, there are high-end Western options, all the way to budget apartments and guesthouses. Hostels are not really a thing in Saudi Arabia.
We personally found the accommodation options to be generally of high quality in Saudi Arabia. However, in comparison, they were more costly than in the neighbouring countries of Jordan and Oman.
Be careful if you don’t want a smoking room – smoking is a popular pastime in Saudi Arabia and often many rooms will have had smokers in before you. Ask in advance – this happened to us several times even though we requested non-smoking options.
Couchsurfing is not only popular but a fantastic option in Saudi Arabia – definitely consider this if it is something you’re comfortable with. Hospitality is next level in Saudi Arabia and Couchsurfing is an incredible way to experience this! We know several solo female travellers who have Couchsurfed Saudi Arabia in 2023 and had nothing but positive experiences.
CAN UNMARRIED COUPLES SHARE HOTEL ROOMS IN SAUDI ARABIA
To respond to the elephant in the room – foreign men and women can share a hotel room, even if they are not related. Legally, as a foreigner, you do not need to be married or brother-sister. We were never asked, even once, for a marriage certificate and didn’t even get a passing comment.
Everybody was just friendly and happy to speak with us!

IS SAUDI ARABIA EXPENSIVE?
From our experience, Saudi Arabia was moderately pricey. However, it depends on what choices you make with respect to transport, food, accommodation and sightseeing.
It also depends how far in advance a reservation is made, which regions are visited (some are pricier than others) and if you fly excessively.
From our experience, we definitely would not describe it as a backpacker budget-friendly country, although it is possible to travel very cheaply if you hitchhike, Couchsurf and have a flexible schedule.
We’re writing a full budget of everything we spent during a month in Saudi Arabia at the moment (currently tallying it all up!). Sign up for our mailing list to be notified when it is written if you’re interested.
TRANSPORT ON THIS SAUDI ARABIA ITINERARY
There are several options for getting around Saudi Arabia. Firstly, it depends on which regions you want to visit. The second factor is whether you are able (or want to) drive.
The country is well connected by long distance buses, provided by Saptco. These are reliable and affordable, linking the larger cities.
Saudi Arabia has lots of regional flights and this is the most popular way to get between the big cities. Saudia, Flynas, Flyadeal and others connect the cities – check Skyscanner for all the route options.
Another popular and safe option is to hitchhike. We have known several people to do this and would absolutely take this option if we had a flexible schedule and were on a tight budget.
LOCAL TRANSPORT IN SAUDI ARABIA
The above options connect the main hubs, but Saudi Arabia’s cities themselves are notoriously difficult (sometimes impossible) to navigate by foot. They have few public transport options, so taxis, Ubers or private drivers are often the only way to get around. However, as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 mission, Riyadh has just opened a pretty cool looking metro that links the city in a way that finally makes it easy to get around! Generally speaking though, a car is essential for getting around in Saudi Arabia.
Although the country is huge, it is entirely possible to drive all around Saudi Arabia without taking any flights (we chose this option). There are definitely a few long drives involved, but I can say from personal experience that we always enjoyed these journeys. The roads and infrastructure in Saudi Arabia are high quality and it’s easy to navigate. We are currently writing a guide to driving and renting a car in Saudi Arabia – stay tuned.
This Saudi Arabia itinerary is based on driving, however for each leg, there are options for flying and taking buses too.
SHOULD YOU DRIVE IN SAUDI ARABIA?
We loved driving around Saudi Arabia – absolutely loved it. The scenery, freedom and ease made all the huge distances worthwhile. We are currently writing up a detailed report on driving in Saudi Arabia with everything we learnt – subscribe to find out when its written!
Whilst we fully endorse this method of travel, it is possible to rent a vehicle in each region and fly the longer distances in between.
CAR HIRE FOR YOUR SAUDI ARABIA TRIP
We always rent our vehicles all over the world, including our recent trips in Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Morocco, with Discover Cars. They’re often the most affordable, plus they paid out immediately on an insurance claim we made when our car took some heavy damage in Sicily. We fully recommend them.
If you book through the link below, we make a small profit, at zero cost to you, which helps us write these posts with no advertising! We only endorse products and companies we actually use regularly. For more information, read our position on affiliates.
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TAKE A LOOK BELOW OR CHECK CAR RENTAL
FOOD IN SAUDI ARABIA
As vegetarians, actually we found it quite difficult to source (healthy) food outside of supermarkets in Saudi Arabia. There were some international fast food type places that sell fries and lots of pizza restaurants around. Whilst Middle Eastern places do sell falafel, overall, Saudi Arabia is a pretty meat-heavy place!
There are multiple apps, such as Hungerstation, to order delivery food from (we did this a couple of times, with mixed results).
If meat is okay with you, then it’ll be fine – there’s so much in the way of goat, camel and chicken that you’ll never go hungry. There is, of course, no pork allowed in Saudi Arabia.
In terms of food prices, we found them to be moderate. For Western food like pizza, it’s reasonably pricey (similar to England), and for more local food it’s still not particularly cheap – supermarket food was also middling.
Something we noticed was that there were not so many Indian subcontinent type foods – like curries. In meat-heavy places like Oman, vegetarian curries are ubiquitous and were always a healthy-ish, affordable alternative to the goat barbeques available everywhere!
IS SAUDI ARABIA SAFE?
Saudi Arabia was completely safe, for us.
When considering safety in Saudi Arabia, there are several things to consider: personal safety such as theft, road and traffic safety and lastly, political safety.
◊ For us, as cis, white British citizens, we felt perfectly safe the entire time in Saudi Arabia – possibly the safest we’ve felt in any other country apart from Oman. Risk of theft is extremely low, harassment/scamming is zero, and we felt comfortable enough to consider wild camping on our next visit (we were going to on this trip but had our car breakdown on the way).
◊ I never felt unsafe, even when alone, as a female in Saudi Arabia. People knew I was a visitor to their country and I was always treated with respect by everyone I met, despite the less than positive women’s rights issues in the country.
◊ Road safety in Saudi Arabia is something we are going to talk more about in our ‘driving in Saudi’ post, but to put it bluntly, driving in Saudi Arabia can be a little erratic. It’s not awful, but people *love* to speed. That doesn’t necessarily mean dangerously, but it’s worth being aware nonetheless if you’re a more cautious driver. If you’re comfortable driving in Italy or Dubai, for example, you’ll be okay in Saudi Arabia.
◊ I cannot speak for anyone in the LGBTQ community about how it would feel to travel in Saudi Arabia. Being gay and trans is criminalised and potentially prosecutable. I know of cases where people have been imprisoned for expressing pro-LGBTQ views, however they were all Muslim and prosecuted under Sharia law. It is unclear how the country would respond to a western, non-Muslim tourist. If you want to visit, personally I’d feel safe enough not drawing attention to my sexuality and dressing appropriately (just as I wouldn’t draw attention to my religion, if I had one). Having said that, I’m not really able to advise as this is just an opinion based on my experiences.


WHAT TO WEAR IN SAUDI ARABIA
I’ve written an entire post on the dress code for Saudi Arabia, especially for women. To summarise:
◊ There is no legal requirement to wear an abaya or headscarf/hijab
◊ Do not wear clothing which shows offensive or controversial slogans
◊ Men should wear trousers and a t-shirt – do not show shoulders or lots of leg
◊ Women should be as covered as possible – think high-neck tops, long sleeves, ankle-length skirts or loose-fitting trousers
◊ Do not wear religious jewellery or anything with religious symbolism
It’s not *that* strict really, despite the points above. It’s more about not drawing attention to yourself or offending a resident.
CAN NON-MUSLIMS VISIT MADINAH OR MAKKAH?
Non-Muslims are allowed to visit the holy city of Madinah, but may not enter Al Masjid Al Nabawi, the resting place of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Although it is not strictly necessary, as a woman, I would choose to wear an abaya and head covering in this city, whilst in proximity of holy sites.
Conversely, non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the holy city of Makkah (the border is many miles from Masjid Al-Haram, the Ka’bah and clocktower). There is a lot of coverage nowadays of non-Muslims entering anyway, but I wouldn’t do it personally. We drove to the boundary where we were allowed as non-Muslims and then turned back (they are all well-marked).
It is clearly indicated on your visa that no entry to Makkah is permitted to non-Muslims. Some Saudi Muslims claim that it is okay to enter – there are apparently contradictory interpretations of the Quran that mean it is a bit of a grey area. Nevertheless, not wanting to offend anyone I wouldn’t go (even though I’d absolutely love to).
Makkah is not included on this itinerary – if you are Muslim and want to visit as part of your Saudi trip, the best way is either from Taif (it’s really close), or a fast train from Jeddah.

SAUDI ARABIA ITINERARY MAP
Below is a saveable Google Map of everything mentioned on this Saudi Arabia itinerary, including main towns and cities, attractions and transport hubs.
◊ To save the map to your Google Maps, click on the star icon by the title.
◊ Select the screen icon in the top left to show or hide the breakdown of sections for this Saudi Arabia itinerary.
◊ Click on a tick box to hide/show a section.
SAUDI ARABIA ITINERARY OVERVIEW
This is a complex itinerary, but flexible for different time frames. We’ve illustrated the general plan on the map below – which is similar to the route we took in March/April. It is obviously possible to fly between the (crazy) long driving stints and use Tabuk, Riyadh, Abha and Jeddah as hubs instead.
Visitors can arrive into different international airports, but for this Saudi Arabia itinerary, we chose Riyadh as a starting point. It’s one of the more popular arrival locations for international tourists and a central place to begin. However, if you enter via Jeddah or Dammam, just change the order of the trip based on the route below. (On our trip, we arrived into Dammam and left via Riyadh).
All regions can be visited independently of the others – we’ve advised how many days are needed for each one in the individual sections below. This Saudi Arabia itinerary is written as a month-long road trip, for those who really want to explore, however it is easy to cut off the longer drives in exchange for a flight and save some time.

THIS SAUDI ARABIA ITINERARY
OVERVIEW OF SAUDI ARABIA’S REGIONS
Saudi Arabia is absolutely vast. Spanning over two million square kilometres, it is naturally diverse as a result. The above map is a loop (of sorts) that swings by a lot of the sights in the country via four main regions – the centre and east, the northwest (near Jordan), the southwest and the central west coast. There are local maps below for each region.
It is possible to fly between these areas and use each local, regional map as individual itineraries too. The stars on the maps denote the main flight hub for each region.
All the regional sections offer fabulous views, incredible heritage spots, intriguing cities and welcoming residents.
CENTRE AND EAST SAUDI ARABIA ITINERARY
The centre-east of Saudi Arabia is pretty sparse. There are some pretty mountains and red sand dunes, but it’s mostly a dusty, flat region with minimal in the way of nature-offerings. Despite that, it does have a lot of heritage sites, museums and historically significant places.
Most things to do in the central and east region of Saudi Arabia are based out of Riyadh, but there are several worthwhile stops nearby to Dammam on the Persian Gulf. Dammam, to the east, is around 400 kilometres away from Riyadh along easy, fast highways. This route is pretty sparse, but there’s a short section where you are driving through immense red sand dunes!
Both Riyadh and Dammam are popular international hubs, which have everything you could possibly ask for in the way of tourist facilities.

AROUND RIYADH (3 DAYS)
Riyadh is the conservative, yet strangely cosmopolitan, capital and birthplace of Saudi Arabia. From rows of soaring, hyper-modern skyscrapers and the shiniest malls, to ancient, mudbrick historic districts and forts, there is something for everyone in Riyadh. The city has a newly opened metro system which means you may even be able to avoid some of the traffic insanity we experienced in the city (it is so busy!).
We spent a week in Riyadh and here some of the things we suggest:
Ad Diriyah District: At Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site | the first Saudi capital, with renovated royal residences from the 15th century, lots of exhibits and some beautiful restaurants (that we could not afford!).
Masmak Fort and old town Riyadh | built in the 19th century, and now a museum, this clay and mudbrick fort is near the clocktower at Al-Safat Square and the Grand Mosque.
Ad Dilam Pigeon Towers | an intriguing set of over a dozen mud and wood constructed towers in the desert.
Red Sand Dunes | lying south west of Riyadh is an expanse of rust-coloured sand dunes. If it’s your cup of tea, quad bikes can be rented to explore here.
Edge of the World | great hiking, off-road driving and some pretty spectacular views from the Tuwaik mountain range.
Heet Cave | located in the south east outskirts of Riyadh, this limestone cave has a 30 meter deep underground lake.
Al Manjour Trail and Tuwaiq Escarpment | not too far from the Edge of the World (but without the need for a four-wheel drive) are multiple options, including historic camel trails, with epic vistas.
The Skybridge at Kingdom Tower | almost a thousand feet up in the air, this is a great place to view the city from (if you’re not afraid of heights).
Check out a mall like Riyadh Park | explore one (or many) for a different slice of life, some super-modern restaurants and expensive shopping!
Ushaiqer, Shaqraa Heritage Villages and Al Ghat | easily visited when driving between Riyadh and Hail, these areas feature some partially restored historic mud-brick built villages. Ushaiqer is particularly tourist friendly.
OPTIONAL LOOP FROM RIYADH TO DAMMAM
Dammam itself is not all that interesting, however the historic region of Hofuf (full of waterways) and the Al Hasa Oasis area which surrounds the city (a UNESCO designated site) are very much worth visiting. Al Qatif and Al Khobar, just outside Dammam, both have some cool spots to explore too.
Here are a few highlights:
Ithra Cultural Centre (in Dharan/Al Khobar) | opened in 2018 to celebrate human creativity. There are individual museums for adults and children, as well as exhibits, seminars and a library. Reminiscent of a cluster of pebbles, the metal clad building stands proudly above. Entry and library access is free but entry to the cinema and events require tickets.
Tarout Castle (Al Qatif) | Portuguese 16th century castle ruins located atop a hill on Tarout Island. The castle base boasts a history going back over 5000 years. Entrance is free and there are guides available if you want to know more about the local history.
Hofuf
Ibrahim Palace – a 16th century castle and fort constructed by the Ottomans. It is noted for the combination of both Islamic and military architecture. The palace covers a huge area, some 16,500 square meters, and the domed mosque is part of the Al-Ahsa Oasis UNESCO Cultural Landscape. Free entry.
Jabal Qarah – a mesa about 75 meters high, north-east of Hofuf, located within the Al Hasa Oasis. It’s been prepared for tourism with cave systems, shops and various entertainment put on throughout the year, but does have a pretty incredible 360-degree panoramic view of Al Hasa below. Entry fee SAR 50 for adults.
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SAUDI ARABIA DRESS CODE | HEGRA VS. PETRA


CENTRE-WEST SAUDI ARABIA ITINERARY
The central-western region of Saudi Arabia is a place of visual and cultural contrasts. Soaring mountains, volcanic craters and turquoise beaches compliment each other, while a relatively liberal metropolis, Jeddah, nestles up against one of the most significant, conservative religious sites in the world, Makkah. These paradoxes are a constant fascination to me and we loved our time spent exploring here. Further north is Al Madinah, the second most holy site in Islam, the resting place of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
Jeddah is the major hub of the area – lots of international flights arrive here. There are many rental car companies, lots of western hotels, Cheesecake Factories and shiny malls with McDonalds.

Taif (2 Days)
Taif is a smaller, less touristy city, surrounded by pretty mountain scenery. There are camping and picnicking opportunities everywhere – it’s a genuinely lovely place. Our highlights:
Al Hada Mountain | this was our primary reason to visit Taif. Al Hada, out towards Makkah, has some impressive views of the surrounding region. We were told by a lovely guy on the top of the mountain that you can see the clocktower in Makkah from there in good weather (we had hail and lightning though!). There’s an expensive cable car with epic views too.
Al Wa’bah Crater | an extraordinary crater that, despite seeing very few visitors, is absolutely spectacular! You can hike all around it and camp for free on the rim. It’s stunning and has paved roads the entire way.
Ash Shafa | a mountainous, rocky region south west of Taif, often in the clouds, with winding roads and more picnic spots and hiking trails than you can count. We loved this particular area, especially around Jabal Qarnayt.
Note | Ash Shafa itself is actually a little touristy village perched on the edge of a cliff. It’s not really my cup of tea but does provide a fascinating insight into Saudi domestic tourism and what residents enjoy doing in their downtime.
JEDDAH (2-3 DAYS)
The cosmopolitan, relatively liberal city of Jeddah is a fascinating change from the rest of the country. Here, there are modern malls, hotels and restaurants, you’ll see women driving Ubers and it’s just got a super-friendly, progressive vibe. It’s probably the craziest place to drive in Saudi Arabia in our opinion though! There are so many lovely restaurants too. In central Jeddah, our highlights included:
Jeddah Corniche | a 30 km stretch of waterfront parkland with sculptures, walking paths and also where the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is held.
Al-Balad | the UNESCO designated old town and our favourite place in Jeddah (there is lots of on-street parking available – free on Fridays).
Al Hamra Corniche | grab an ice-cream and do some people watching – competitive free parking available. Gets *super* busy in the evenings and on Thursday and Friday nights.
King Fahad’s Fountain | the fountain jet reaches over 250 metres and is best seen at sunset from the Al Hamra Corniche in our opinion.
Al Rahmah Mosque | this floating mosque is absolutely beautiful in the evening light.


Optional – Thee Ain (1 DAy)
Positioned in the mountains connecting Jeddah and Abha, in a valley adjacent to the city of Al Bahah, this iconic heritage village has one of the most impressive settings I’ve ever witnessed. Nestled within a verdant valley, with a spring running along the base and white marble mountains as a backdrop, it’s breathtaking (and I don’t use that phrase lightly!).
Delicately restored, Thee Ain has parking and there’s even a manned visitor centre with lots of information. The walk to the top is easy, but not wheelchair friendly.
Visiting Thee Ain would make the most sense as part of a drive between either Taif or Jeddah and Abha, with an overnight stop in Al Bahah en-route.

SOUTH WEST SAUDI ARABIA ITINERARY
The south west of Saudi Arabia is by far the most varied and distinctive region across the country. With the tallest mountains in the Gulf, precariously positioned ancient heritage villages and islands reminiscent of the Maldives, it’s a region we could easily spend two weeks (or more) in.
Abha is the hub here – with an international airport, fantastic hotels, restaurant and car rental options.

Abha (3-4 days)
This wonderful mountain town has a noticeably distinct culture, architecture and climate to all the other cities in Saudi Arabia. We almost got the sense that we were travelling in a different country!
Although relatively remote, this city has lots of restaurants, hotels and services and is easy to explore in a car. If you choose to drive to Abha, the road scenery is absolutely epic from pretty much every direction, since the city is at an elevation of 2270 metres (about 7450 feet). This means that no matter what direction you arrive from, you’ve got to head up.
Some worthwhile sites around Abha:
Al Khaluf and Al-Jahamah Historical Villages | very ‘off-the-beaten-track’, showcasing Al-Qatt Al-Asiri art and Yemeni townhouse-style mudbrick architecture. We loved these villages, partly because we didn’t see another person the entire time we were there.
Al Habala Hanging Village | a ‘hanging village’, so named because originally the only access was down and up the steep mountains of ‘Asir, often with ladders and ropes! Now, there’s a cable car to save you the trouble.
Rijal Almaa | a picturesque UNESCO designated village, dubbed Saudi Arabia’s ‘gingerbread village’ due to the distinctive, mountainside, multi-storey architecture.
Fatima Museum | another fascinating display of the all-women designed Al-Qatt Al-Asiri art.
Bees Tower Honey Refinery | nearby Rijal Almaa, this superbly curated space makes honey on site from lots of different bees. It’s such a curious spot to find in the hills of ‘Asir and definitely not one to be missed. The owners spoke no English when we visited but were so kind. Go try all the honey samples!
The mountain scenery | this is a bit vague, but there are stunning views from every side in the ‘Asir mountains. The roads wind and twist past stepped farms, huge cliffs, tiny mosques and astonishing villages. Drive towards anything that looks wiggly on Google Maps, you won’t be disappointed.
Jabal Al Soudah/Sawda | the highest mountain in Saudi Arabia, just to the west of Abha, sits at around 3100 metres high. There’s a cable car and park – choose a clear day, otherwise all you’ll see is clouds.


Najran (2 days)
Four hours east of Abha, along the border with Yemen and the Rub Al Khali desert (the empty quarter), sits Najran. Set in a sprawling oasis, this strategically positioned ancient city on the frankincense trail is surprisingly green and verdant. Despite being on the edge of one of the world’s largest sand deserts, there’s an abundance of available water. The city is famed for having an historically Jewish and Christian population, until the early/mid-20th century.
Places to consider visiting in Najran:
Al Aan Palace | built in 1688, this four-storey tall intricately decorated building provides smashing views of the surrounding countryside.
Najran Fort/Emarah Palace | with a distinctive traditional Arabian architecture, this beautifully designed structure isn’t all that old, but very pretty. It’s also pretty big, with 65 rooms spread over 625 square metres.
Najran Dam | this 73-metre-high dam is the largest in Saudi Arabia and a popular tourist spot for the pretty, rugged views.
Al Ukhdud Archaeological Site | ruins of the fortified old city, just south of new Najran. The site contains ancient ceramics, tools, clay figurines, human bones, places of worship and many pre-Islamic petroglyphs.
Empty Quarter | this is a bit of a bonus, but if you have a car, take an adventurous drive out east towards one of the most famous, but least visited regions on the Arabian peninsula!
JIZAN (3 days)
A large port city on the Red Sea, pretty Jizan has several very worthwhile reasons for visiting, including forts, a corniche and a heritage village. Other highlights of the region include:
Farasan Islands | home to around 80 islands, three of which are inhabited by around 12,000 people, this biodiverse protected area is popular for scuba diving and snorkelling. It’s probably the least ‘Saudi’ looking place on this entire list – most people don’t even realise that Saudi Arabia has islands! Reached by a 40-kilometre, one hour ferry journey that goes several times a day, it is possible to do a quick day trip if you do not want to stay overnight.
Wadi Lajab | epic hiking, waterfalls and dramatic landscapes make this excursion from the city worthwhile. Situated halfway between Abha and Jizan, you can visit from either base. You may want to rent a four-wheel drive vehicle (or at least high clearance) to traverse the canyon entrance, especially if the weather is wet, or you’ll have to hike the several kilometres in.


NORTH WEST SAUDI ARABIA ITINERARY
The north west of Saudi Arabia matched the image I had mentally formed from books, films and the media. Its dry, dramatic landscapes, dotted with camel riders and ancient cities, were everything I dreamt of when I thought of visiting the Kingdom. This region is pretty famous outside of Saudi Arabia due to the Nabataean ruins of Hegra around Al Ula (you’ll even likely see a few a foreign tourists here), but there is far more to the area than just that.
Tabuk is the most common airport for visits to Hegra – the city has nice hotels, car rental and lots of restaurants, including a surprisingly good sushi one!
The journey between Tabuk and Hail, if you choose to drive, is a long (but not unpleasant) one.

Al Ula (2-3 days)
Many Saudi Arabia bucket lists include the UNESCO world heritage site of Hegra – Petra’s smaller but no less spectacular sibling. Concealed within some of the most remarkable desert scenery, the ancient Nabataean city has recently been thrust into the limelight with the opening of Saudi’s borders to international tourists.
Al Ula, the small, historically significant town nearby Hegra, is a beautiful ancient settlement, squeezed between massive rust-coloured cliffs (imagine southern Utah for reference). Here, there are lots of millennia-old things to enjoy, along with a must-do visit to Hegra.
Visit experiencealula.com to book tickets and check out seasonal events.
Consider visiting:
Al Ula old town | a restored, and mildly ‘touristified’ (but still interesting), ancient mudbrick settlement.
Ancient Dadan | from 7th century BCE, pre-Nabataean rock carvings and inscriptions.
Hegra | Nabataean civilisation dating back to the 3rd century BCE with incredible sandstone outcrops, elaborately carved to act as tombs for important members of society.
Note | all three of the above need tickets for access and a tour – check experiencealula.com. For information specifically about the Hegra tour, check our dedicated Hegra post.
Maraya | meaning ‘reflection in Arabic, this is the world’s largest mirrored building, beautifully situated in the desert outside Al Ula, just to the west of Hegra. The building is used predominantly as a concert hall and art exhibition host – although it’s also pretty famous for being photographed by Instagrammers!
Elephant Rock | this is a rock shaped like an elephant. It’s got pretty famous though so if it’s your cup of tea, go take a peek! There’s a bar set up at the bottom with music, so in typial Saudi fashion, you can spend lots of money while listening to loud music in nature. Parking is free so you can just take a look around instead, if you prefer. There are a few arches and rock formations that are worth hiking around.
Harrat Viewpoint | another beautiful place that has now got some pumping music and a venue, just plonked in nature! Parking is free and the views are spectacular, so definitely check this one out (even if you find club music in the desert kind of offensive).
Tabuk (2 days)
Situated near the border with Jordan and the Gulf of Aqaba, this city shares a lot of similar landscapes with its northern neighbour. This means a plethora of burnt red rock formations, rolling sand dunes, dry rocky outcrops and epic road views. The city is important, historically, as a stopping point on the holy Levant Hajj pilgrimage road from Damascus to Madinah.
Some things to check out around the area include:
Scenery | the primary reason we loved Tabuk was simply the immense desert panoramas, dotted with settlements, palms and camels.
Tabuk Ottoman Castle | dating back to the 16th century, this well-preserved, renovated fortress and museum also houses a mosque and climbable watchtowers. It is famous for the Battle of Tabuk, the final campaign by the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH).
Hejaz Railway | initially built by the Ottomans at the turn of the 20th century to connect Istanbul with Makkah, the remains of the Hejaz railway can be seen in the railway bridges and stations scattering the desert. Whilst some are fenced off, the stations at Tabuk, Al Ula and Madinah are now tourist attractions.
Al Aznam (Alozlam) Castle | a 14th century castle from the Mamluk era which was part of the Egyptian pilgrimage route. It is currently being restored by the General Authority for Tourism.
Wadi Disah | a phenomenally beautiful canyon, perfect for hiking, picnicking and camping under the palms and stars. It can be visited with a 2-wheeled vehicle but a 4×4 will save you a longer hike in.
Tayma | historically one of the oldest settlements in Northern Arabia, Tayma’s ruins nowadays include the Qasr Al Hamra Palace, Tayma Museum, Temple of Salm and Tayma Fort.
Hail (1 day)
Previously an important strategic location and stop for pilgrims from the Kingdom’s north, the city of Hail is home to a UNESCO site and numerous forts, castles and palaces.
Some recommendations for this area include:
Jubbah | a UNESCO World Heritage Site with five-thousand plus petroglyphs (rock art engravings) dating back to 8000 BCE. Additional petroglyphs can also be found at Jabal Hibran, further to the south.
A’Arif Fort, Barzan Castle and Qishlah Palace | a mixture of old castle wall ruins and renovated buildings originally built between the 17th and 20th century lie spread across the town of Hail.


FINAL THOUGHTS – SAUDI ARABIA ITINERARY
Saudi Arabia is a bit of an enigma. The way it is portrayed in the media (often correctly) can make people feel wary and even scared. However, every country is more than its government, and Saudi Arabia, it turns out, is an incredible hub of warm, welcoming citizens, culturally significant sites and astonishing natural beauty.
Our Saudi Arabia itinerary was a month of surprises and contradictions – from the modern, world-class malls containing Cheesecake Factories and P.F. Changs, to the gender-segregated entrances of McDonalds for men and families. It’s a country of extreme traditions coupled with hyper-speed modernisation.
Frankly, several months later, I’m still thinking about our trip to Saudi Arabia; I’m still processing how I felt about everything I experienced. I do know that I will definitely return – as soon as I can – as there is so much more to see.
We hope you decide to visit and figure out this paradox of a country for yourself!
Happy travels!
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Thank you, Claire + Nick
So much detail and information here! Incredible article.
Thanks so much, really appreciate the comment! Happy travels 🙂
I love your writing and traveling style! Quick question: we have the feeling that traveling to AlUla beyond fancy hotels is quite challenging. Would you mind sharing where did you stay and what was your experience?
Hi,
Thanks so much!
We stayed in the Sahary Alula Resort using points. It was far more expensive than our usual budget but Alula is low on affordable accomodation options. There are some slightly more reasonably priced options in the town itself but there’s not a great range in the area unfortunately.
Hi, very interesting article with a lot of information.
Unfortunately, I cannot see the saveable Google maps. There is an empty space between the paragraph “Saudi Arabia itinerary map” and the next “Saudi Arabia itinerary overview”.
Thanks
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for your comment and for letting us know about the map not appearing. We’ve checked and there’s no issues on our end, maybe it’s something to do with your browser?
Thank you so much for the valuable information!
Hi,
We are planning a trip to KSA in December. Your posts are extremely helpful.
One question. Can I rent a car and return in different city? for example, rent a car in Madinah and return it in Jeddah.
Hi Michael,
I’m glad you’ve found our posts useful.
You absolutely can hire cars one way in KSA (and other countries). There’s a surcharge for this, which varies from car company, so it is best to check around.
I hope you have a fantastic trip.