Visa
In 2019, the government of Saudi Arabia finally allowed tourist visas for the first time in the Kingdoms history. Before this, the only way to get there was on a business visa, many intrepid travellers needed to fake a business reason for visiting.
Now, thanks to the new rules the following passports can apply for an e-visa:
All EU Citizens, Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Macau, Malaysia, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, UK, USA.
To find out more about Saudi Arabian visa regulations, you can check our dedicated Saudi Arabia visa section.
Getting in and out
By air
The main airports everyone uses to arrive into Saudi are Jeddah and Riyadh, however there are many other airports with international flights such as: Tabuk, Jazan, Hail, Dammam, Medina and even Al Ula.
By land
You can cross into Saudi from most of its land borders. This is possible from Jordan, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain via the impressive King Fahad Causeway.
For people wanting to cross from Iraq or vice versa, reports suggest that this is only open for locals and is closed to foreigners.
You cannot cross from Saudi Arabia to Yemen.
By sea
There are also cruise ships that will dock in ports along the Saudi Red Sea coast, usually stopping in Jeddah and Umluj.
See and do
Riyadh
Riyadh is the largest city on the Arabian Peninsula and is the heart of the origin of Saudi Arabia. Here you can find many sites relating to the modern formation of Saudi Arabia such as Masmak Fortress and Diriyah. You can also find the extremely modern side of Saudi Arabia with huge skyscrapers, such as the iconic Kingdom Centre and the newly built King Abdullah Financial Centre.
Edge of the World
The Edge of the World, known locally as Jebel Fihrayn, is one of the most dramatic landscapes in Saudi Arabia. Located just outside Riyadh, this awe-inspiring cliff offers sweeping views of the surrounding desert. The name comes from the sensation that you are standing at the edge of the world, as the land drops off sharply into a vast, flat expanse. This is a popular spot for hiking and photography, especially during sunset when the changing colors of the sky and the desert create a mesmerizing scene. It’s a place to experience the vastness of the Saudi desert in all its glory.
Jeddah
Considered the liberal city of Saudi Arabia, it is also the gateway to Mecca and has a very different vibe to Riyadh. The Red Sea coast provides a beautiful backdrop to the city. You can visit the
old town
, called
Al Balad
to see the buildings made from local coral. Jeddah is also home to the
King Fahad fountain
, the tallest fountain in the world. Jeddah is also home to the
former tallest flagpole in the world
, now fourth, but still very impressive!
Jeddah is home to
many big events
such as the Jeddah Grand Prix, so make sure you check for these types of things before travelling – whichever side of the coin you fall on, either these events can cripple the city and make hotels very expensive, or make sure you don’t miss out on something you’d like to see! While in Jeddah, it is also worth checking out the area near the
floating mosque
, one of the most beautiful mosques in the whole country, and from there you can see in the distance the construction site of
Kingdom Tower
, the soon to be newest tallest building in the world.
Al Ula
This is the premier tourist destination in the country, showcasing the ancient sites of the Nabatean civilisation. Closed to tourists until late 2019, Al Ula has been completely rebuilt for tourist purposes and now has many restaurants, a walking street and world class event venues. It might sound tacky or contrived, but when they do something in Saudi, they do it well, and it really is an impressive place to visit. Around Al Ula you should visit the Hegra (main architectural site), Elephant Rock, the Lookout and the Al Ula Old Town. This part of Saudi Arabia is probably the most westernised part of the country, and attitudes to tourists and western styles of dress are much more accepted.
Medina
This is the second holiest city in the Muslim World. Non-Muslims are allowed to go to Medina (unlike Mecca, which is the holiest Islamic site), however they are not allowed to enter the central mosque area. This is a great place to go and learn about the origins of Islam and many of the tourist sites such as Mount Uhud are located outside the central area. This is definitely somewhere to be dressed conservatively though.
Taif
Taif is famous for windy mountain roads and a cooler climate to the rest of the country. It is located about two hours from Jeddah in the southern mountainous area. This area is also very famous for roses and it is common to see men wearing them in their hair.
Farasan Islands
If you’re looking for something more untouched and off the beaten track, then you can head down to the very south part of the Red Sea to the Farasan Islands, considered the Maldives of Saudi Arabia. There is very little infrastructure on these islands so many people come here for camping. The islands are surrounded by amazing coral reefs perfect for snorkelling. To get here you have to take a ferry from Jazan, the last big city before the border with Yemen.
Mecca
Mecca is the holiest city in Islam and a focal point for millions of Muslims who visit every year to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. The Kaaba, located in the Masjid al-Haram, is the most sacred site in Islam, and Muslims around the world pray facing it. However, it is important to note that non-Muslims are not permitted to enter Mecca. The city’s significance goes beyond the pilgrimage; it is a place of deep religious importance, with many historical sites tied to the life of the Prophet Muhammad. Mecca is also a vibrant city, with a mixture of modern developments and traditional markets.
Ha'il
Ha'il, located in northwestern Saudi Arabia, is a historical city that sits along the ancient caravan trade routes. Known for its beautiful desert landscapes, Ha'il is surrounded by mountains and rocky plateaus, offering plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and off-roading. The city itself is famous for its Qishlah Fort, a 19th-century military stronghold that now serves as a museum showcasing the history and culture of the region. Ha'il is also home to the A’arif Fort, another historical site that provides panoramic views of the city and surrounding desert. The region is known for its rich Bedouin heritage, and visitors can experience traditional Saudi culture through local festivals, food, and hospitality.
Why visit
Saudi Arabia was closed for years to foreigners wanting to visit. Previously you had to be a pilgrim or be there on business to explore the country, but that has all changed. The country has opened up and has eased many of its conservative and somewhat extreme policies. Right now is a great time to see a country going through a major social change and the Saudi government wants you to come!
The government of Saudi Arabia has been pouring billions of dollars into tourism infrastructure as a way to divest its economy away from oil. This has resulted in numerous festivals and concerts being put on throughout the country filled with local and international artists.
Rules
It is no secret that Saudi Arabia leans on the conservative side of life. This means there are certain things travellers should be aware of before traveling to the Kingdom.
Dress code
For women – It is no longer necessary that all women wear the abaya (the black shawl that covers the body) however conservative clothes must be worn that cover shoulders and knees. Women do not have to wear a headscarf and in fact in recent times you may see more and more younger women pushing the boundaries on what they can wear in public. Despite more liberal attitudes in recent years if you are traveling to rural areas, it is recommended that you er on the side of caution and maybe consider wearing an abaya.
For men – Men must also follow conservative dress codes in the kingdom and must always cover their shoulders and legs. Skinny jeans and shorts should be avoided. In some places like Jeddah, you may be able to get away with wearing shorts outside in public, however you may not be let into buildings such as malls and definitely not mosques.
Topics of discussion
Saudis love to get personal but also love their privacy. This can be tricky to navigate as you may be asked very personal questions about your life as they get to know you. If you feel uncomfortable it is ok to say you don’t want to discuss this and they will understand.
Religion
When talking about religion it is best to avoid saying you are an atheist as this is considered an extremist view. It is also recommended that you do not whatsoever criticise Islam as this is an extremely serious offence.
The Royal Family
This is something that is unescapable in the Kingdom. You will see the faces of present and previous monarchs all over the country. While it is ok to ask questions about the monarchy because their history is intrinsically tied to that of the country which shares their name, all criticism however should be avoided. In fact, talk of politics in general in a topic best left at home.
Politics
Saudi Arabia is a monarchy headed by King Salman. However the main figure head and public figure that you will hear about running things is Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman one of the son’s of King Salman. He is also being set up to be the future King of Saudi Arabia.
Ethnicity
The main ethnicity of Saudi Arabia is Arab however there is a very large migrant population from South Asia and the Philippines. Nearly everyone who works in a service job or a blue collar job such as construction will be a migrant worker.
There are also different types of Arabs in Saudi Arabia with many influences from the neighbouring regions present. Arabs in the southern part will usually be darker as they share more connections with Africa, while Arabs in the north will be lighter in colour.
Saudi Arabia also still has a few nomadic peoples known as Bedouins. These people are also technically considered ethnically Arab.
Photograhy
For those of you who love to snap some epic pics to show friends and family back home, Saudi Arabia will not disappoint! However photographers should avoid photographing government buildings and more importantly women. If there are people in the background you may be better off waiting until there is no one there in order to avoid offending anyone.
If you want to take someone’s photo ask them. Fortunately, if you are looking at getting pictures of famous monuments without people then Saudi is a goldmine. Saudis don’t really venture out in the middle of the day, so if you decide to visit places like Masmak Fort in Riyadh then you can expect to have the whole place to yourself.
Hotels
Being a Gulf country with lots of money means you will definitely find some of the most expensive hotels you can imagine in this country. However, if you’re not a billionaire then there are also budget and mid-range options available with nearly all major hotel chains having branches in the Kingdom.
Hotel prices are not the cheapest in the Kingdom and you can expect to be paying similar prices to Dubai and Doha.
Nightlife
While drinking is not big in the Kingdom (even though it has newly been made legal for foreigners) Saudis however are mostly nocturnal! Extreme summer temperatures mean that shops, restaurants and café all open in the afternoon and stay open to the late hours of the morning.
It is common for Saudis to go to coffee shops, restaurants or parks with friends, families and even with their kids till 3am. Conversely, if you are trying to find something open in the morning, we wish you luck!
Shopping
Saudi Arabia has many massive shopping malls which are where most of the locals will be hanging in the daytime to escape the heat. If you’re in Jeddah the Red Sea Mall is a staple, if you find yourself in Riyadh, head over to Kingdom Centre. While you’re there head up top to the viewing platform to get a great view over the city.
When is the best time to visit?
When you think of Saudi Arabia, there is only one image that should come to mind, desert, hot, dry, desert. Every year you'll no doubt see the news of thousands of people dying from heat exhaustian and dehydration during annual pilgramiges to Saudi Arabia during summer. This is why it's best to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the cooler, winter months.
Saudi Arabia also hosts a magnitude of sporting events, concerts, and cultural exhibitions, so keep and eye out for one of these the next time you're planning your dates.
What to eat
Saudis generally eat in a traditional style where you sit on the floor and eat with your hand. Emphasis on the word HAND as you should only use your right, the left is considered dirty.
While segregation in restaurants is no longer legally mandated, you will still find many older establishments with segregates seating for men and women. Cheaper restaurants may also only have space for men.
Further reading
Learn more about the status of alcohol in the Kingdom - Saudi Arabia to allow legal alcohol sales , September 2024
Love big things like we do? Why not read about the tallest flagpoles in the world, including the recording breaking Jeddah flagpole - The former tallest flagpole.
