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Saudi Arabia

Experiential journeys will make you a storyteller
About Saudi Arabia
Saudi, famed for its mystical landforms, has opened its doors to tourists and travelers coming to experience the majestic beauty, grandeur, and calm of this Middle East gem. Surrounded by the Red Sea and Persian Sea, the country is home to numerous beautiful tourist destinations.

The cities of Alula and Riyadh have become prominent destinations among tourists with their top-notch offerings and modern-day architecture. Its golden sand desserts, remarkable grand monuments of history, and the developing skylines in its cosmopolitan cities - everything adds to the charm and allure of Saudi. The country boasts of its culturally rich heritage, magnificent history, and religious community.

Tours over the golden sand dunes witnessing majestic palaces, camping on picturesque valleys, are among the many activities that tourists can enjoy while visiting Saudi. The development of towering skyscrapers, world-class hotels, and resorts, have added to the many reasons Saudi attracts tourists. The luxury and sophistication of the middle eastern gem are unmatched, and some facilities are specially designed for tourists.

Saudi is a desert country with days being hot and nights being cold. In summers the temperature rises to 38 degrees and the climate is hot and dry. Winters here are mild but in the nighttime, the temperatures drop, and sometimes rain can also be experienced.  This middle eastern country is perfect for taking a luxury trip with your friends and family, enjoying the rich culture, heritage, and learning about the history of this religious country.

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Saudi Arabia FAQ's

Which are the best places to visit in Saudi?

1. Riyadh: The capital city of Saudi, Riyadh is one of the largest cities in the country and home to many amazing architectural wonders and historical sites. The city has some wonderful shopping malls, one of which is situated on a skyscraper. While visiting the mall, tourists like going to the sky bridge which connects both the towers of the skyscraper.

You can also take a sightseeing tour to Al Masmak Fort, National Museum, Deera Square, and Ad-Diriyah. Tourists also witness the culture of this wonderful city in its cultural events and exhibitions. If you wish to treat your taste buds, you will find some delectable dishes with traditional flavors in local restaurants and eateries.

Best Time to Visit: During the months of November to March

2. Jeddah:
 Jeddah is the most open and accepting city of Saudi with its unofficial motto “Jeddah ghair ” which translates to ‘Jeddah's different’. Once a port town with trade and art flowing in-out of the country, Jeddah today is a cosmopolitan hub with sky-high buildings, dazzling hotels, and many grand events.

The culture of past ages is still reflected in the streets of Al Balad, where the historical square has still kept its roots after waves of the renaissance. This stunning city is the perfect blend of old meets new, its cosmopolitan towering buildings, and the delectable seafood in the old square. Jeddah is mesmerizingly different and this is what makes it a perfect tourist destination.

Best Time to Visit: Cool weather during the months of November through March is ideal for a visit

3. Dammam: Dammam is a city that should not be overlooked by travelers when in Saudi. Dammam is a beautiful city and offers scenic desert views and mesmerizing backdrops. In addition to its beautiful landscape, the city also offers a wide range of restaurants that will serve tourists delectable cuisine and flavors. 

Shop from local markets for souvenirs or stroll in the lush green parks. You will also find some stunning seaside walkways where you can enjoy leisure time.

Best time to visit: Between the months of October and March 

4. Al Soudah:
 The juniper-covered Soudah, positioned at 3,000 meters on the side of Saudi's tallest peak, is the country's designated outdoor adventure capital. This area of cold mountain air, wild environment, and mist-cloaked valleys is part of the enormous Asir National Park, which has a network of hiking routes.

While hiking and organized camping trips are popular pastimes, this is also a culturally rich area, particularly in the old village of Rijal Alma west of Soudah. The annual Flowerman Festival here celebrates the culture of the native Aseri people, particularly the men's headdresses of flower wreaths.

5. 
Tabuk: Tabuk is an important city in the northern regions of Saudi, and also one of the biggest cities in the North. The city is famous for its authenticity and elegant lifestyle, surrounded by the sea, desert, and mountains with a pleasing atmosphere all year round.

The city witnesses many amazing festivals and has a great architectural heritage including the very popular tourist destination Tawbah Mosque. 

Best time to visit:
 Between the months of November to June 

 6. Yanbu:
 Yanbu is a popular tourist destination in the western region of Saudi with many attractions, white sand beaches, and historical monuments for sightseeing. The city was once a port town but now plays an important role in the industrial area of the country. Yanbu has some great tourist spots that you must visit on your tour to Saudi.

It can be a day picnic in the Yanbu Historic area or sunbathing on the waterfront of Yanbu beaches. Take a tour to the popular Dolphin Free Driver and Yanbu Lake Park amongst other popular attractions.

Best time to visit:
 December to March are the perfect months according to the weather. 

7. Taif:
 The unofficial capital of summers, Taif is a great escape from the summer heat of Saudi as it is situated on higher altitudes. Taif offers a thrilling and adventurous experience to tourists who visit this fragrant hill City. The surrounding valleys and mountains are full of fragrant flowers, fruit markets, and deep lush green valleys.

The picturesque views and serene atmosphere of Tafi make it the perfect place for visiting during the summers. While the city is surrounded by rose farms in full bloom during April, the best time to visit the city is in August. This is the season when the place has cool breezes and a scenic backdrop in addition to its popular Souq Okaz cultural festival and the Crown Prince Camel Festival.

Best time to Visit:
 The Month of January is the best time to visit Taif, followed by December, November. Even August - October can be considered. 

8. Abha: 
Abha is a city in the sky of Saudi. A very vibrant and green landscape, Abha boasts moderate cool weather that can be enjoyed all year round. Located in the southern parts of Saudi, Abha and neighboring areas have more rain than many other regions in Saudi.

Therefore the city has a very scenic atmosphere and green trees. Abha still boasts the distinctive traditional architecture and has been spared of influences from the outside world. Enjoy the wildlife in Asir National Park, or paraglide over one of the villages built on cliffs. Abha has adventure, uniqueness, and natural beauty that charms tourists and locals alike.

Best time to visit:
 Around the months of March through May

9. Hail:
 Hail is one of the oldest established towns in Saudi, dating back thousands of years ago. The city is famous for Jubbah rock carvings that depict animals and people in a time long before us. While Hail has been a center stage for the culture, history, and art; you will find that with time the place has only gotten better with new monuments and mosques.

Tourists can witness the Hail Rally, a regular event since 2006 that also happens to be the biggest rally in the country. Take sightseeing tours to Al Samra Mountain, Qishalah Palace, Airif Fort, and many other popular tourist attractions.

Best time to visit:
 Best months to visit are from March To November

What are the best things to do in Saudi?

1. Visit Fakieh Aquarium: The Fakieh Aquarium is one of a kind in Saudi and a great place for spending time, for both adults and kids. Kids will love to learn about marine life in a fun and entertaining way. With around 200 species of marine creatures in the Aquarium, tourists will love to learn about them in the detailed audio. 

Location:
 Next to Al Quraysh Rd, Al Nawras Jeddah 23413, Saudi
Timings: 1 PM - 1 AM 

2. Enjoy at Al Shallal Theme Park:
 The Al Shallal Theme Park is located in Jeddah Cornish, spread over 60,000 sq meters. An ideal location for tourists to visit with families and friends, the theme park has undergone major changes in recent years.

With the aim to provide amazing entertainment and recreational activities, the theme park has rides like slingshot and roller coaster. Tourists can also enjoy ice skating and boat rides while stopping for a delectable break at the Thames restaurants serving Chinese and Lebanese food.

Location: Ash Shati, Jeddah 23413, Saudi
Timings: 5 PM - 1 AM

3. Tick Tock Escape Rooms Dammam:
 Escape rooms are nothing new to the present time. This exhilarating activity is actually quite popular amongst the younger generation and young travelers in Saudi will definitely enjoy their time in the Tick Tock Escape Rooms. The entire activity depends on you and your group's ability to solve the puzzles in 60 minutes. Communicate and work together to enjoy this wonderful group activity.

Location: Khaleej Rd, Al Jawharah, Suite 202, Thuraya Commercial Center 2, Dammam Saudi 
Timings: 5 PM - 11 PM 

4. Spot WIldlife at Riyadh Zoo: 
Saudi largest zoo, this popular tourist attraction is great for wildlife watching. The place allows only one parent to enter the zoo with the children on some days and on some days the entire family can go together.
In addition to being the largest zoo in Arabia, there are around 40 species of animals and 1500 animals to witness during your visit. The marvelous landscapes and natural atmosphere will definitely make your day better.

Location: Mosab Ibn Umair St, Riyadh Saudi
Timings: 9 AM - 4:45 PM, Sunday Closed

5. Camel Riding in the Desert: Camel riding is one of the best things to do in the deserts of Saudi. It is indeed a novel experience to take a ride on the camel’s back and explore the desert. You can visit the Thumamah National Park, where the local area farmers welcome tourists to rent out their livestock for camel riding around the desert. Since the prices of these rides are negotiable, you can enjoy camel riding in the desert to the maximum.

Location: Near Thumama Police Station, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

6. Camping in Sahary Al Ula Resort: Offering a beautiful mountain view, Sahary Al Ula Resort is a great place to go for camping activities in Saudi Arabia. The campsite location is very impressive, the interiors of which are painted in vibrant colors. The resort offers a relaxing air-conditioned tent to enjoy a combination of luxury and nature under the same roof. Although there are no hiking trails, the resort offers hiking opportunities to tourists so they can explore the desert themselves. The guests sit around the campfire, play games, and tell unrequited love stories at night in the Sahary Al Ula Resort.

7. Scuba diving in the Red Sea: People feel that Saudi Arabia is only a land of deserts, but that is not entirely true. The country has extensive coastlines on the Red Sea, which allows for several scuba diving opportunities. If you want to take part in scuba diving activities, you should visit Allah’s Reef or Boiler Wreck. Scuba diving in the Red Sea will allow you to discover some fantastic shipwrecks, a plethora of sharks and colorful fishes, and healthy corals. It is one of the delightful experiences one can have close to marine life.

8. Enjoy Arabian Coffee: If you visit Saudi Arabia, you should not forget to taste Arabian coffee. Some of the prominent places to savor the taste of Arabian coffee are The Al-Merkaz Cafe, Bateel Boutique and Cafe, Aurora Cafe, Mawtin Zaman Cafe, and Cookies and Cream Cafe. This coffee consists of the flavors of cardamom and is colored with saffron which makes it one of the most famous coffees in the world. The traditional flavors of the Arabian coffee merge well with proficiency and flawlessness to give that authentic taste to the visitors. Sweets and fine dates also complement the taste of Arabian coffee.

9. Cruise in the Red Sea: The cruise in the Red Sea lets you explore the idyllic coastline of Saudi Arabia. It offers a beautiful amalgamation of travel, adventure, and luxury across the blue waters of the stunning Red Sea. You can experience one-of-a-kind onboard services of the cruise, like savoring local Saudi cuisines or international buffets, going snorkeling or kayaking, or rejuvenating at the spa. When the cruise sails, you can also indulge in a lot of fun games, parties and fine dining experiences, and live shows and performances. Golfing and shopping are also some of the attractions on the cruise.

10. Shop Till You Drop at Taif Central Market: If you are looking for a shopping destination in Saudi Arabia, you must visit Taif Central Market. This market consists of an array of trendy and independent shops that sell anything and everything. You can shop for ghee milk, perfumes, pure rose water, rose oil, honey, jewelry, clothing, healing herbs, decorative swords, and much more. If you are fond of mint tea, shop for a readymade Arabic mint tea package that will last you for a long time. Thus, it is a perfect place to shop your heart out in Saudi Arabia.

Location: Al Nuzhah, Taif 26514, Saudi Arabia.
Timings: 8 am to 11 pm

11. Hike to Asir National Park: Hiking to the Asir National Park is yet another best thing to do in Saudi Arabia. The park features the highest mountains of the country named Jebel Soudah, along with a multitude of different species of flora and fauna. You can hike inside the Asir National Park, exploring Al Soudah, Al Qara’a, Al-Jarrah, Al Hassab, Dalafan, and Al Wardeh on your way. Roaming around the hilltops, you will come across juniper forests that showcase around 170 bird species soaring high above the sky. You can delve deeper into the silence of the forest and enjoy a picnic in complete privacy.

How to reach Saudi?

  • By Air: Major Airlines like Emirates, Saudia, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, and Air India service this route from major Indian cities to a few cities of Saudi, which is the only method to reach Saudi from India.
  • By Bus: Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Yemen, Qatar, and Bahrain all share Saudi borders. There are no buses connecting Oman's major cities with Saudi. Buses run frequently between Dubai and Jeddah. Jordan's capital, Amman, is also connected to the country's major cities via bus. Qatar's capital, Doha, is connected to Saudi by convenient public transportation.

What is the best time to visit Saudi?

Summers are to be avoided when planning a tour to Saudi, as the months are very hot and humid. The best time to visit this country is in between the months of November to February. These months witness a very soothing climate when the breeze is cool and the temperature is average.

What is Saudi famous for?

Saudi is well known for its golden sand deserts and oil wells. The country also boasts some remarkably stunning mosques with a serene atmosphere and rich history. Tourists also enjoy the local spices, Arabic coffee, visiting the world's largest sand desert and the largest oasis.

How many days are enough to explore Saudi?

While visiting this stunning culturally rich and stunning country, make sure you have at least 10 days to enjoy the famous tourist attractions and destinations. With so many wonderful cities that have preserved the history and at the same time are developing with changing times; Saudi has some very gorgeous landscapes and towering skylines.

What are the famous things to buy in Saudi?

Saudi is the old grandeur and strong base of the Middle East. While there, tourists will find some very gorgeous and wonderful souvenirs to shop for that they will see only in Saudi.

Shop for Dates, Date chocolates, intricately carved dishes of dates, awe-inspiring perfumes, camel milk soaps, and chocolates. You can also buy some beautiful rugs and scarves to take back with you.

Is it worth visiting Saudi?

Saudi is definitely worth visiting for tourists as the recent developments happening in the region are adding to the rich culture and gorgeous backdrop of the country. It also has wonderful tourist attractions and destinations, where travelers will find themselves charmed by the majestic architecture and history.

Which are the best historical sites to visit in Saudi?

1. Jubba Paleolithic Kingdom: The Jubba Paleolithic Kingdom is housing rock art that shows animals and people from 7000 years ago carved deep to survive the waves of change in history. This Archeological site is actually very unique and exquisitely beautiful.

2. Old Dariyah:
Old Dariyah is a place with utmost importance and history. The native village of the ruling family of Saudi, the village of Old Dariyah has mud buildings and architecture that dates back to the 9th century.

3. Najran's Traditional Architecture:
Najran is situated in the southwestern part of Saudi, near the border of Yemen. The place boasts a traditional architectural style and has a number of buildings that date back 700 years ago. Head to southern Saudi for witnessing the stunning traditional houses and brick architecture.

4 Old Jeddah:
The city of Jeddah may have developed into a cosmopolitan hub, but even today the old Jeddah (Al Balad) reflects its traditional culture and rich heritage. The old town square still has stunning architecture in traditional style, preserved through ages.

Which are the best museums in Saudi?

  1. National Museum of Saudi: The national museum of Saudi is a modern building that is preserving ages of culture and history within. This museum in Riyad is a popular tourist attraction in Saudi, with various exhibits and art on display to take a peek into history.
  2. King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture: This architectural marvel stands tall with 18 stories of enriching exhibits, a huge library, an auditorium, and various exhibition halls. Made with shiny steel, the center brings together new ideas and dreams to provide them with a platform.
  3. Tayebat Museum: A window into the history of Jeddah, the Tayebat Museum has 12 buildings and 300 rooms adorning the culture and memoirs of old Jeddah. The museum halls are full of early manuscripts written by Arab travelers, traditional architecture, and Islamic history.
  4. Scitech Technology Center: The science technology center takes a deep dive into science, with numerous exhibitions that take you from deep underwater aquariums to the star-filled space.

Which are the best malls to visit in Saudi?

  1. Al Nakheel Mall: The biggest mall in Riyadh, Al Nakheel Mall has a very innovative architectural design. Its fine service and availability of so many international brands have made it one of the most popular malls for shopping amongst tourists visiting Saudi. The mall has an in-house theme park and many eateries.
  2. Kingdom Center Malls: Another gem in the shopping scene of Riyaadh, Kingdom Centre is a popular destination. The mall has a wide range of brands and offers a lot of entertainment to its visitors. With so many international brands to choose from, luxury cafes and restaurants, and a beautiful sky bridge; Kingdom Center Mall has comfort and style brought together in one place.
  3. Riyadh Gallery Mall: The Mall houses many international brands, the interior is stylish and topped with luxury. The mall might lack entertainment but provides a very nice shopping experience to its visitors.
  4. Red Sea Mall Jeddah: The Red Sea Mall in Jeddah is not your average mall. In addition to an amazing shopping experience, the mall also features a history section that history buffs will find fascinating.

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