This Middle Eastern country lays requirement to many impressive features that make Saudi Arabia a worthy holiday option, like King Fahd International, the biggest airport in the world. And plane though the country is home to the largest continuous sandy desert in the world, the Ar-Rub Al-Khali section of the Arabian Desert, there is so much increasingly to this destination than sand. Here’s everything you need to know for a wonderful holiday in Saudi Arabia.
Reasons to Visit Saudi
Variety of Activities
Contrary to popular belief, Saudi does not only offer desert camping and high-end shopping (although there is plenty of that, too)! The country has such a wholesale range of things to do, you’ll need increasingly time than you think. From museums and old towns to beaches and entertainment for all ages, there is something for everyone.
Food
If you’re a fan of Middle Eastern food, this is the spot for you. Mealtimes consist of a vast variety of tasty dishes to share, including hummus, freshly baked flatbreads, roasted meats, dips and salsas, dates and coffee with saffron. Note: Saudi is a dry country.
Natural Beauty
Saudi has some dramatic landscapes! Once you get out of the city, you’ll find mountains, beaches with turquoise waters, warmed-over waddle formations and scrutinizingly everything in between.
Things to Do
Riyadh Season, Riyadh
Riyadh Season is an yearly entertainment festival between October and March, hosted in the country’s capital. Think Disney World meets Times Square, but make it better.
Book flights to Riyadh.
Diriyah, Riyadh
This trappy section of the municipality was the home of the first Saudi royal families and has been left untouched for centuries. Walk through the soil houses and learn increasingly well-nigh the fascinating history at the Diriyah Museum.
Corniche and King Fahd’s Fountain, Jeddah
Stroll withal the promenade to enjoy ocean views where you can buy ice surf withal the way. Then, make sure you visit the famous fountain nearby, which shoots water up to 312 m high.
Al Balad, Jeddah
This old-town village is simply stunning, with warmed-over homes, a variety of shops and several historic sites. Explore house museums and art galleries, shop spices, perfumes and fabrics, or grab a drink and soak up the lively atmosphere.
Hiking
Believe it or not, Saudi offers splendid hiking trails. Mountainous regions such as Abha are unconfined for waddle scrambling, camping and plane multi-day hikes. Always go with a registered guide when hiking.
Desert Camping
The brochures don’t lie. The country’s vast desert spaces make for trappy camping (or should we say “glamping”?) backdrops. What largest way to get in touch with nature than watching sunsets, sitting virtually a fire and star gazing surpassing bed?
Top Travel Tips
Respect the Dress Code
Non-Muslims should respect the country’s religious laws by dressing modestly. Always imbricate your legs and preferably most of your arms, too. That’s moreover a unconfined way to stave sunburn! Women do not have to imbricate their hair.
Get a Tour Guide
Booking your trip through a tour operator or travel organ would be a good idea, expressly if you can get a local tour guide who understands the culture and speaks the language. This will ensure you get the most out of your time in Saudi. It’s moreover recommended to typesetting a chauffeur or taxi service in whop to get around, as public transport is not readily available.
Search packages here.
Know the Mart Rate
The country’s currency is the Saudi Riyal, and the mart rate is roughly 5 Rand to 1 Riyal as of January 2024. Do some research and plan your upkeep surpassing you go, as the country is relatively expensive.