Saudi Arabia
Asia · Riyadh · SA
Saudi Arabia occupies the vast majority of the Arabian Peninsula, a landmass defined by some of the most extreme desert environments on Earth. From the sand seas of the Rub' al Khali — the largest contiguous sand desert in the world — to the granite mountains of the Asir region and the coral-fringed Red Sea coast, the kingdom's geography is far more varied than its reputation suggests. For decades, Saudi Arabia was largely closed to international tourism, but recent reforms under Vision 2030 have opened the country to leisure visitors, revealing archaeological sites, heritage villages, and natural wonders that had been hidden from global view for generations. The two holiest cities in Islam, Mecca and Medina, draw millions of pilgrims annually and remain central to the nation's identity, but the broader landscape holds Nabataean tombs, pre-Islamic inscriptions, and a culinary tradition that is only now gaining international recognition.
Overview
Saudi Arabia is a country in Asia. Its capital is Riyadh and the international dialling code is +966. Languages commonly used in everyday life here include Arabic. Local currency is the Saudi Riyal (SAR). Our guide covers 2 airports, including King Abdulaziz International Airport, King Khalid International Airport. We also list 2 cities in Saudi Arabia: Riyadh and Jeddah.
AlUla and the Nabataean Kingdom of Hegra
In the northwestern desert, the oasis town of AlUla has emerged as Saudi Arabia's premier cultural destination, anchored by the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra, the southern capital of the Nabataean Kingdom. Over a hundred monumental rock-cut tombs pierce the sandstone cliffs, each adorned with carved facades that blend Nabataean, Lihyanite, and Roman architectural influences. The inscriptions found throughout the site document the rise and fall of pre-Islamic kingdoms that controlled incense trade routes across the Arabian Peninsula. The landscape surrounding AlUla is equally striking, with the towering sandstone monolith of Jabal Ikmah serving as an open-air library of ancient Dadanite inscriptions, and the jaw-dropping Elephant Rock formation standing as a natural sculpture carved by wind erosion. The entire region feels frozen in geological time, amplified by the profound silence of the desert and the absence of light pollution at night.
Asir Mountains and the Green South
Saudi Arabia's southwestern Asir region defies every expectation of the kingdom as a flat desert, instead offering terraced mountains, oak forests, and seasonal wildflower meadows that receive substantial rainfall. The town of Abha, perched at over 2,200 meters, serves as the gateway to Asir National Park, where hiking trails wind through juniper woodlands and past waterfalls that flow only during the rainy months between May and September. The Asiri people have developed a distinctive tradition of painted house facades, using bright geometric patterns in a style that has been recognized by UNESCO. The village of Rijal Almaa, built entirely from dark stone and clay, clings to a mountainside and has been restored as a heritage site showcasing traditional southern Saudi architecture. The temperature difference between the Asir highlands and the coastal Tihama plain below can be dramatic, creating microclimates that support agriculture unusual for the Arabian Peninsula.
The Red Sea Coast and Marine Biodiversity
Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastline stretches over 1,800 kilometers and contains some of the most pristine coral reef ecosystems left on Earth, largely protected by decades of restricted access. The Farasan Islands, a scattered archipelago in the southern Red Sea, host mangrove forests, seabird colonies, and reefs that remain virtually untouched by tourism or development. Coral reefs along the central coast near Al Lith and Umluj feature vibrant hard and soft coral gardens that support schools of tropical fish, sea turtles, and occasional whale shark aggregations during seasonal plankton blooms. The kingdom is developing luxury resort destinations along the Red Sea coast as part of its tourism expansion, including the Amaala and NEOM Bay projects, but vast stretches of the shoreline remain wild and accessible only by private boat, preserving a sense of maritime wilderness that is increasingly rare in the region.
Jeddah's Historic Al-Balad District
Jeddah's Al-Balad district is the historic heart of the city that has served as the principal Red Sea port and gateway to Mecca for over a thousand years. The old quarter is defined by its multi-story coral-stone tower houses, whose upper floors project outward on intricately carved wooden balconies called rawasheen, creating narrow shaded streets below that channel sea breezes through the dense urban fabric. Historically, the district's markets were organized by trade and origin, with specific souks dedicated to Indian textiles, Yemeni honey, and East African spices, reflecting Jeddah's centuries-long role as a cosmopolitan trading hub. Al-Balad has undergone significant restoration in recent years, with landmark buildings like the Naseef House opened to visitors and new cultural spaces emerging within the historic walls. The district's atmosphere, particularly at sunset when the coral facades glow warm orange and the call to prayer echoes from multiple minarets, is unlike anything else in the Gulf.
Edge of the World and the Tuwaiq Escarpment
The Tuwaiq Escarpment is a dramatic limestone cliff face that arcs for over 800 kilometers through central Saudi Arabia, forming a natural geological barrier between the Najd plateau and the lowlands to the east. At Jebel Fihrayn, popularly known as the Edge of the World, the escarpment drops sheerly to a flat desert floor that stretches to the horizon, creating one of the most photographed natural landmarks in the kingdom. Standing at the cliff's edge, the scale of the landscape below becomes apparent, with ancient riverbeds — now dry wadis — visible as sinuous lines carved into the plain during wetter geological epochs. The drive from Riyadh to the site passes through open desert where oryx and gazelle can occasionally be spotted. At sunset, the escarpment's vertical face catches the light in bands of gold, amber, and deep shadow, a geological spectacle that connects visitors to deep time in a way few places in the Arabian Peninsula can match.
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- Capital
- Riyadh
- Currency
- Saudi Riyal (SAR)
- Languages
- Arabic
- Calling code
- +966
- Internet TLD
- sa
Entry requirements
Check who can enter →See which passports travel visa-free or need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia.
Which nationalities can enter Saudi Arabia?
Current visa status for tourism for the origins we cover, with links to the detailed requirements.
Airports (2)
All airports →Cities (2)
All cities →Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Saudi Arabia?
For the origins we track, Saudi Arabia requires a visa for tourism (Australia: e-visa, Canada: e-visa, France: e-visa, Germany: e-visa and India: e-visa). Entry rules depend on your passport, so confirm the current requirements for your own nationality with our entry requirements tool.
What is the capital of Saudi Arabia?
Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia, and the country sits in Asia.
What currency is used in Saudi Arabia?
You pay with Saudi Riyal (SAR) in Saudi Arabia. Exchange rates move day to day, so check the current rate before you change money or use your card abroad.
Which languages do people speak in Saudi Arabia?
The languages we list for Saudi Arabia are Arabic. A couple of greetings in the local language go a long way when you travel, even in cities where another language is widely used.
What is the international dialling code for Saudi Arabia?
The dialling code for Saudi Arabia is +966 — keep the plus sign when you save the number.
Which airports serve Saudi Arabia?
We cover 2 airports for Saudi Arabia, including King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), King Khalid International Airport (RUH).
Which cities in Saudi Arabia do you cover?
Our guide lists 2 cities for Saudi Arabia: Riyadh (capital) and Jeddah.