Saudi Arabia offers striking desert landscapes, modern cities, and a deep sense of history. You can explore ancient sites, Red Sea coastlines, and rapidly evolving cultural districts.
Discover Saudi Arabia
Discover Saudi Arabia
Why visit Saudi Arabia?
What to expect
Expect futuristic skylines in Riyadh, historic trading quarters, and vast open spaces beyond the cities. New museums, cultural festivals, and outdoor experiences are reshaping travel across the country.
Plan your trip
Saudi Arabia is emerging as a major hub for culture, business, and adventure in the Middle East, with improving transport links between cities. It also serves as a convenient gateway to the wider Gulf region.
Top experiences in Saudi Arabia
Skyline views in Riyadh
Take in panoramic views of Riyadh from one of its landmark towers, then explore contemporary malls and lively city streets below.
Heritage quarters and old town souqs
Wander through restored heritage areas with traditional mud-brick architecture, narrow lanes, and local boutiques selling crafts and perfumes.
Desert excursions
Join a guided trip into the surrounding desert for dramatic rock formations, dune landscapes, and sunset viewpoints.
Red Sea coastal escapes
Head to the Red Sea coast for beach resorts, coral reefs, and water activities such as snorkelling and diving.
Museums and cultural centres
Visit modern museums and cultural centres that showcase Saudi Arabia's history, art, and vision for the future.
Outdoor adventure and hiking
Discover highland trails, cliffs, and canyons in cooler regions, ideal for hiking, photography, and scenic drives.
Modern entertainment districts
Spend an evening in newly developed entertainment zones with family attractions, parks, and live events.
Experience Saudi Arabia's way of life
Getting around
Major Saudi cities are connected by domestic flights and improving highways, making multi-city itineraries straightforward. Within cities like Riyadh, you can combine taxis, ride-hailing services, and, in some areas, new metro lines.
Local life & culture
Daily life blends long-standing traditions with a fast-modernising urban scene, especially visible in community parks, cultural festivals, and arts events. Social spaces in malls and outdoor boulevards are popular meeting points for families and friends.
Where to unwind
Relax in landscaped city parks, coastal promenades, and desert resorts that offer a sense of space and calm. In cooler months, outdoor cafés, walking tracks, and viewpoints in the hills become favourite escapes.
A taste of Saudi Arabia
National dishes & specialties
Hearty rice and meat dishes, grilled meats, and fragrant spiced rice are classic favourites, often enjoyed in generous sharing portions. Different regions add their own twists with local ingredients and cooking styles.
Casual & modern dining hubs
In Riyadh and other major cities, you will find casual cafés, international chains, and contemporary bistros side by side. Food precincts and lifestyle districts bring together global flavours, from Middle Eastern grills to Asian and European-inspired menus.
Signature & scenic dining
Look for rooftop restaurants and elevated lounges with sweeping city views, as well as resorts and coastal venues that offer atmospheric dining in dramatic natural settings.
Retail therapy in Saudi Arabia
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Riyadh's large shopping malls combine international fashion brands, local designers, cinemas, and family attractions under one roof. New lifestyle complexes add open-air boulevards, dining, and entertainment to the mix.
Markets & local crafts
Traditional markets in major cities feature stalls with textiles, incense, perfumes, metalwork, and handicrafts. Different regions are known for distinctive items, from woven goods to decorative homeware.
Evening retail scene
Shopping districts in Riyadh and other cities tend to come alive in the evening, with illuminated facades, late-opening stores, and cafés where you can pause between browsing.
Best time to visit Saudi Arabia
Winter (November to March, shoulder season) is the most comfortable time in many parts of Saudi Arabia, with average daytime temperatures around 15–25°C (59–77°F) in major cities. This period is ideal for city sightseeing and outdoor excursions.
Spring and autumn (April to May, October, shoulder season) bring warmer days, typically 25–35°C (77–95°F), with cooler evenings, making desert trips and coastal visits appealing if you plan activities for mornings and late afternoons.
Summer (June to September, peak season in some coastal areas but generally low season for city travel) can see temperatures rise above 40°C (104°F) in inland cities, while coastal areas remain hot and humid, around 30–38°C (86–100°F). During these months, indoor attractions, malls, and evening outings are more comfortable than midday sightseeing.