Find rare wonders amid the Arabian sands
Millions of pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia each year to visit two of Islam’s holiest cities: Mecca and Medina. Yet this desert kingdom offers much beyond the pilgrim trail, and it has only recently opened to tourism. This is your chance to step off the well-trodden path.
In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, you are greeted by glittering high-rises and palm-shaded entertainment districts. Here, the National Museum reveals the country’s unique history. The Red-Sea city of Jeddah entices with its blend of old and new, from Al Balad with its slender alleys, authentic souks and traditional houses adorned with wood balconies, to the glamorous Corniche waterfront, home to hotels, cafes, restaurants, and the Al Rahma Floating Mosque.
Contrasting with Saudi Arabia’s modern, oil-rich cities are its archaeological treasures, including six UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among these is AlUla, where you can visit the tombs of the ancient Lihyanite kingdom, as well as the Nabataean city of Hegra and its rock-carved landmark, ‘The Lonely Castle’. North of Riyadh lies the restored Al-Turaif district, once a thriving mudbrick city and the original home of the Saudi royal family. Medina, the second-holiest city in Islam after Mecca, now allows non-Muslims to visit, and the mosque that Muhammad built in 622 still stands here today.
Saudi Arabia is also a destination for adventure, with the arid sprawl of the Arabian Peninsula your playground. Journey through the desert, canyons and mountains for cinematic vistas and natural landmarks such as the 52-metre-tall Elephant Rock. You may also spot hardy wildlife, from tuft-eared desert lynxes to pink-faced hamadryas baboons. Or snorkel the clement waters of the Red Sea to spot a rainbow of tropical fish and pristine reefs.
The Nabataean heritage of Hegra in AlUla makes Saudi Arabia an excellent pairing with neighbouring Jordan. Alternatively, we recommend combining with tours of Oman, Egypt or the United Arab Emirates.