Tourist Attractions in Saudi Arabia

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Saudi Arabia

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is known throughout the world as the birthplace of Islam, a country with the strictest Muslim traditions and strict observance of Shariah. It is mainly religious tourism – millions of Muslims make the Hajj (pilgrimage) to holy places as a fulfilment of the Pillars of the religion. Saudi authorities even allocate quotas to each country so that Mecca does not drown in a vast human sea during the Hajj.

For the average tourist, the state opened recently, but the visit is possible only if accompanied by employees of the Saudi travel agency. What to see a visitor in Saudi Arabia? Muslim shrines (only for those who profess Islam, representatives of other confessions will not be allowed there), the most beautiful coral reef of the Persian Gulf, beaches and seaside promenades of Jeddah, boundless and the hottest desert in the world Rub al-Khali.

The cities of Saudi Arabia, built and beautified thanks to huge oil revenues, are quite a comfortable place for a tourist. But it is necessary to remember about numerous prohibitions and rules for foreigners: prohibition not to drink alcohol, to wear inappropriate clothes, to communicate with women, to visit certain places. In case of violation, the lightest punishment is expulsion from the country; in more serious cases, everything ends in prison.

Top-12 Tourist Attractions in Saudi Arabia

Makkah

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The “Mother of Cities”, the main sanctuary of all Muslims in the world, the holy city where the Prophet Muhammad was born. During the annual Hajj, more than 4 million believers come here, and the entire infrastructure and economy of Mecca is tied to pilgrims. Representatives of other religions are forbidden to enter, as evidenced by the relevant highway signs.

Al Haram Mosque

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One of the three main Muslim temples in the world, the “forbidden mosque”. Its construction began in the 7th century, and over the course of hundreds of years the building was rebuilt many times until it acquired its present form in the 16th century. Throughout the XX century the territory of the temple was constantly expanded to let in as many pilgrims as possible. Now the area of the mosque is 357 thousand m² and it is crowned by 9 minarets with a height of 100 metres.

Kaaba

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117595 reviews

A sanctuary in the form of a black rectangle inside the Al-Haram Mosque. For Muslims, it serves as a guide to which direction to turn when performing namaz. Kaaba means “cube” in Arabic. It is believed that the very first building of the sanctuary was built by heavenly angels. Later it was rebuilt several times by people.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Al Masjid an Nabawi

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308298 reviews

The second shrine of Islam in Medina. It was erected by Muhammad and his companions. Here under the green dome is the tomb of the Prophet. The size is inferior to the Al-Haram Mosque, but it has 10 minarets over 100 metres high. The temple can accommodate up to half a million worshippers, and its architecture is accepted as a canon for the construction of mosques around the world.

Open time

Masjid Quba

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137915 reviews

It is the very first Muslim temple. The Prophet himself took part in its construction. Namaz in this mosque for the companions of Islam is equal to performing Umrah (according to the hadith of at-Tirmizi). The building is part of the city limits of Medina, although in ancient times it was 4-5 kilometres away from the city.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

King Fahd Road

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It connects Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The structure is among the 14 longest bridges in the world. The bridge is named in honour of King Fahd-ibn-Abdel-Aziz-al-Saud. On weekends, long queues of cars line up here as Saudis travel to the neighbouring state, where Islamic norms are not so strict and one can afford “extra”.

King Fahad's Fountain

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9346 reviews

The tallest fountain in the world in the city of Jeddah, named in honour of the fifth Saudi king. It is a powerful jet of water rising 312 metres into the sky at a speed of almost 400 km/h. This effect is possible thanks to a clever pumping design that pumps more than 600 litres of water per second.

Open time

Masmak Fortress

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A historic structure of the capital city of Riyadh, built under the ruler Mohammed-ibn-Abdullah-ibn-Rashid in the 19th century. In the early XX century, the fort was conquered by the future founder of Saudi Arabia Abdul-Aziz. Now the fortress has been turned into a historical centre, with a museum and a mosque on its territory.

Hegra

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Archaeological complex of ancient buildings from the 1st century BC. The buildings remain from the ancient Nabataean city of Kherga, which was located at the crossroads of important trade routes. The surviving buildings show elements of Phoenician, Egyptian and Assyrian architecture.

Empty Quarter

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1542 reviews

It occupies most of the territory of Saudi Arabia. It is the hottest desert on the planet. Hundreds of years ago, rivers flowed and ancient cities bustled on the place of lifeless sands. The oases of Liwa, Al-Ain and the huge Al-Jiwa are remnants of the former fertile plain, which over time was filled with sand dunes.

Aseer National Park

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The reserve was established to preserve the natural world of Saudi Arabia. This place is located in the mountains. For the convenience of visitors, there are hundreds of family camping sites with running water, car parks, playgrounds and grilling areas. The reserve is home to juniper groves and rare species of animals.

Center Point

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A 99-storey building in Riyadh topped by a needle-like structure. The skyscraper’s observation deck is 300 metres high and offers a panoramic view of the capital. The Royal Centre is one of the capital’s main attractions and its calling card.