Saudi Arabia offers a striking mix of desert landscapes, dynamic modern cities, and centuries of history. You will find impressive skylines, archaeological treasures, and a growing arts and culture scene.
Discover Saudi Arabia
Discover Saudi Arabia
Why visit Saudi Arabia?
What to expect
From the capital Riyadh, with its bold architecture and museums, you can explore desert escarpments, heritage villages, and emerging cultural districts. Expect warm hospitality, wide open spaces, and a blend of tradition and innovation.
Plan your trip
Saudi Arabia is developing fast as a visitor destination, with improving infrastructure and new attractions. Riyadh is a key gateway for exploring the country and connecting onwards to other regions of the Middle East.
Top experiences in Saudi Arabia
Marvel at Riyadh’s skyline
Take in sweeping views from one of Riyadh’s landmark towers and see how the city stretches into the surrounding desert.
Explore historic Diriyah
Stroll through the mud-brick lanes and restored palaces of Diriyah, a heritage area that tells the story of the Saudi state’s early days.
Venture to the Edge of the World
Journey from Riyadh to dramatic desert cliffs that drop to vast plains, offering unforgettable sunset vistas.
Discover museums and galleries
Visit Riyadh’s museums and cultural centres to learn about the Arabian Peninsula’s history, art, and changing identity.
Relax in city parks and wadis
Unwind in landscaped parks, wadis, and walking trails around Riyadh that provide greenery and shade in the desert environment.
Experience desert adventures
Head out of the city for guided desert activities, from dune drives to stargazing under clear night skies.
Shop in traditional souqs
Browse souqs for textiles, perfumes, and handicrafts, and experience the atmosphere of a traditional Arabian marketplace.
Experience Saudi Arabia’s way of life
Getting around
In Riyadh, you can use taxis, ride-hailing apps, and an expanding metro network to move between districts. For longer journeys across Saudi Arabia, domestic flights and intercity roads connect major cities and emerging visitor destinations.
Local life & culture
Daily life in Saudi Arabia balances long-held customs with rapid modern change, especially in Riyadh’s business and cultural districts. You will notice strong family values, a social rhythm shaped by the climate, and a growing calendar of concerts, exhibitions, and events.
Where to unwind
Around Riyadh you can escape to desert plateaus, eco-resorts, and viewpoints for fresh air and wide horizons. Within the city, parks, walking paths, and landscaped boulevards offer calm spaces to relax between sightseeing and business meetings.
A taste of Saudi Arabia
National dishes & specialties
Expect rice and meat dishes, fragrant spices, and generous sharing platters that reflect Arabian hospitality. Riyadh is a good place to sample traditional Saudi fare alongside regional Middle Eastern favourites.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Riyadh’s dining scene ranges from relaxed cafés and family restaurants to contemporary eateries in new lifestyle districts, offering flavours from across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and North America.
Signature & scenic dining
You can dine in high-rise restaurants with city views, stylish venues in heritage areas, or atmospheric spots on the edge of the desert, adding memorable settings to your meals.
Retail therapy in Saudi Arabia
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Riyadh is known for large modern malls and lifestyle centres, where you will find international brands, local designers, cinemas, and family attractions under one roof.
Markets & local crafts
Seek out traditional souqs and smaller boutiques for handicrafts, carpets, metalwork, and perfumes, which offer a more local feel than the main malls.
Evening retail scene
Shopping in Riyadh often stretches into the evening, when cooler temperatures and illuminated streets make malls and souqs lively places to stroll.
Best time to visit Saudi Arabia
Winter (November to February, shoulder season) is the most comfortable time to visit much of Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, with daytime temperatures around 15–25°C (59–77°F) and cooler evenings. Spring and autumn (March to May, October, shoulder season) bring warm to hot days of roughly 25–35°C (77–95°F), which can be pleasant for sightseeing with care in the midday sun. Summer (June to September, peak season for some domestic travel but low season for many international visitors) is very hot, with daytime highs in Riyadh often 40–45°C (104–113°F) or more, favouring indoor, air-conditioned activities.