Best places to visit in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia Essentials

Saudi Arabia’s landscape spans from the Nabataean rock-cut tombs of Hegra to the vast sand dunes of the Rub' al Khali. This collection features the spiritual centers of Mecca and Medina alongside the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif district, the birthplace of the first Saudi state. Architectural highlights include the coral-stone buildings of Al-Balad in Jeddah and the mudbrick Masmak Fort in Riyadh. Natural landmarks like the Tuwaiq Cliffs at the Edge of the World and the Al-Wahbah volcanic crater showcase the region's diverse geological formations.

Saudi Arabia Essentials — Map

A

At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah

This UNESCO World Heritage site served as the first capital of the Saudi Dynasty. It features traditional Najdi architecture, characterized by mudbrick palaces and administrative buildings dating back to the 15th century.

Richard.hargas / CC BY-SA 4.0

B

Al-Hijr Archaeological Site (Madâin Sâlih)

Hegra, also known as Mada’in Salih, is an archaeological site located in the area of Al-'Ula within Medina Province in the Hejaz region,…

معتز توفيق اغبارية / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Grand Mosque of Mecca

Masjid al-Haram, also known as the Grand Mosque or the Great Mosque of Mecca, is a mosque enclosing the vicinity of the Kaaba in Mecca, in…

بلال الدويك / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Prophet's Mosque

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, known in English as the Prophet's Mosque, is a mosque built by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in the city of Medina in…

E

Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah

Also known as Al-Balad, this 7th-century port city is distinguished by its coral-stone houses and intricate wooden lattice balconies called Roshan. It historically served as the primary gateway for pilgrims traveling to Mecca.

Tab59 / CC BY-SA 2.0

F

Kaaba musharrafah

The Kaaba, sometimes referred to as al-Ka'ba al-Musharrafa, is a stone building at the center of Islam's most important mosque and holiest…

Gaius Cornelius / Public domain

G

Qasrj Al Fareed

Hegra, also known as Mada’in Salih, is an archaeological site located in the area of al-'Ula within Medina Province in the Hejaz, Saudi…

Homoludens / CC-BY-SA-3.0

H

National Museum of Saudi Arabia

The National Museum of Saudi Arabia is a national museum located in the al-Murabba neighborhood of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

DearEdward / CC BY 2.0

I

Masmak

The Masmak Fort, also called the Masmak Fortress or Masmak Palace, is a historic clay and mudbrick fort in the ad-Dirah neighborhood of…

J

Edge of the World

Formally known as Jebel Fihrayn, these 300-meter-high cliffs are part of the Tuwaiq Escarpment. Located 90 kilometers from Riyadh, the site offers panoramic views across an ancient seabed and desert plains.

ISS Expedition 27 crew / Public domain

K

Ar Rub` al Khali

The Rub' al Khali is the sand desert encompassing most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula.

SariSabban / CC BY-SA 3.0

L

Al-Wahbah crater

Al Wahbah Crater, also Maqlaʿ Ṭamiyyah, is a volcanic crater, which is about 250 kilometres away from Ta'if, on the western edge of the…

Other Lists

Editor's Choice: Saudi Arabia Hidden Gems of Saudi Arabia Archaeological and Historical Sites Sacred Islamic Sites Historic Museums & Palaces Mountains and Viewpoints Nature & Parks Campsites and Alpine Huts Top Shopping Destinations