Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia only opened to leisure tourists in 2019, and much of it still feels freshly unwrapped. AlUla's sandstone canyons hide the tombs of Hegra, carved by the same Nabataeans who built Petra; Diriyah's mud-brick ruins tell the story of the first Saudi state; and Jeddah's coral-stone old town looks out on Red Sea reefs.
Overview
Saudi Arabia is huge, so a first trip usually links three or four hubs by domestic flight. Riyadh, the capital, has the restored At-Turaif district of Diriyah, the National Museum and desert escarpments within a day's drive. Jeddah, on the Red Sea, has the UNESCO-listed Al-Balad quarter and the country's best seafood. The north-west is the showpiece: AlUla's sandstone canyons, Hegra's rock-cut tombs and the Elephant Rock formation. Add the green, terraced Asir mountains around Abha in the south-west, or the vast Al-Ahsa oasis in the east. Mecca is closed to non-Muslims, as is the area around the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.
Travel here is easy in some ways and demanding in others. Roads, airports and hotels are modern, Uber and Careem work in all the main cities, and the country is investing heavily in tourism, but distances are enormous and summer temperatures in the mid-40s make June to September punishing. Costs are moderate: fuel and local food are cheap, while AlUla's hotels and guided tours are expensive. It suits history lovers, road-trippers and anyone curious about a society changing fast; women can travel independently and drive. Many visitors are surprised by the friendliness of everyday encounters, the late-night café culture and the sheer variety of landscapes, from red dunes to misty mountains.
Map of Saudi Arabia
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Hegra, AlUla
Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site holds more than 110 monumental tombs carved by the Nabataeans around the 1st centuries BC and AD, including the lone Qasr al-Farid. Visits are by timed, ticketed tour from AlUla.
- 2Architecture
Historic Jeddah (Al-Balad)
A UNESCO-listed quarter of coral-stone merchant houses with carved wooden roshan balconies, souks and old mosques, once the gateway for pilgrims arriving by sea. Visit in the cooler evenings, when the souks come alive.
- 3History
At-Turaif, Diriyah
On Riyadh's north-western edge, the mud-brick palaces of At-Turaif, seat of the first Saudi state in the 18th century, have been restored as a UNESCO site, with Bujairi Terrace's restaurants across the wadi.
- 4Architecture
Rijal Almaa
A village of multistorey stone towers trimmed with white quartz, set in a deep valley of the Asir mountains about 50km west of Abha. Its museum and painted interiors showcase the region's colourful al-qatt al-asiri decoration.
- 5Nature
Al-Ahsa Oasis
One of the world's largest oases, with well over two million date palms, springs and canals around Hofuf. Explore the cool, wind-carved caves of Jabal Al-Qarah and the old souks of this UNESCO-listed landscape.
Biggest cities
Riyadh
The fast-growing capital is a city of glass towers, malls and a new metro, but also Diriyah's restored mud-brick heart, the National Museum and the Masmak Fortress.
Jeddah
The Red Sea port is Saudi Arabia's most relaxed and cosmopolitan city, with the coral-stone tower houses of Al-Balad, a long Corniche and good diving offshore.
Mecca
Islam's holiest city, home to the Grand Mosque and the Kaaba, receives millions of pilgrims every year. Entry is restricted to Muslims, so non-Muslim visitors cannot go.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Saudi Arabia
Best time: Nov–Mar.
Average climate in Riyadh
Festivals & events
- Jan–Mar, Oct–DecRiyadh Season
A months-long winter entertainment programme across Riyadh, with concerts, theatre, boxing and football events, food halls and themed zones such as Boulevard World.
- SepSaudi National Day
On 23 September cities turn green with flags, fireworks, drone shows and parades marking the kingdom's unification under King Abdulaziz in 1932.
- DecMDLBEAST Soundstorm
One of the Middle East's biggest music festivals, staged over several days each December on a desert site outside Riyadh, with international DJs and headliners.
How much does Saudi Arabia cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Kabsa
The national dish: long-grain rice cooked with chicken or lamb in a broth spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, dried lime and black pepper, often topped with nuts and raisins.
Mutabbaq
A Hejazi street snack of paper-thin dough folded around minced meat, egg and leek, or banana and cheese, then griddled crisp; best in Jeddah's Al-Balad.
Saudi coffee and dates
Pale, cardamom-spiced qahwa poured into small cups from a dallah and always offered with dates; take it with your right hand and gently shake the cup when you've had enough.
Getting around
Domestic flights on Saudia, flynas and flyadeal are the practical way to cover the distances. The Haramain high-speed railway links Jeddah and Medina, and other lines run from Riyadh east to Dammam and north to Qassim and Hail. Uber and Careem work in the main cities, and Riyadh's metro opened in 2024–25. For AlUla and the Asir mountains, hire a car; driving is on the right and fuel is cheap.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- G230V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)
- If you do not have a Saudi SIM card, call 112 in an emergency.
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +966
- Time zone
- UTC+3 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Varies — bottled or filtered is safer
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not obligatory, but 10–15% in restaurants without a service charge is appreciated, and small tips for drivers, porters and guides are customary.
- Etiquette
- Dress modestly in public, with shoulders and knees covered for everyone; abayas are optional for foreign women. Avoid public displays of affection, and don't eat or drink in public during Ramadan daylight hours.
- Main airports
- King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Riyadh; King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), Jeddah; AlUla International Airport (ULH), AlUla
Visas & entry for Saudi Arabia
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must get a visa to visit Saudi Arabia. The type of visa you choose depends on your reason for travelling and how long you want to stay.
If you overstay your visa, you could face large fines, detention and deportation. You could be banned from returning to Saudi Arabia.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- DengueHepatitis BMeaslesMeningococcal diseaseRabiesTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- Very low risk of malaria
- There is a very low risk of malaria in the south western provinces of Saudi Arabia, along the border with Yemen including Asir province below 2,000m: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended.
- There is no risk of malaria in the cities of Jeddah, Makkah (Mecca), Medina, Riyadh, and Ta'if, or in Asir province above 2,000m: bite avoidance recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Saudi Arabia
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Mon 22 Feb 2027 | Founding Day Holiday |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| Thu 11 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| Fri 12 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| Sun 14 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday (observed) |
| Sat 15 May 2027 | Day of Arafah |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha Holiday |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha Holiday |
| Tue 18 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha Holiday |
| Wed 19 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha Holiday (observed) |
| Thu 23 Sep 2027 | National Day Holiday |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Arabic
| English | Arabic | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | السلام عليكم | as-sa-LAAM a-LAY-kum |
| Thank you | شكراً | SHUK-ran |
| Please | من فضلك | min FAD-lak |
| Excuse me | لو سمحت | law sa-MAHT |
| How much is this? | بكم هذا؟ | bi-KAM HAA-tha |
Know before you go
- Hegra and many AlUla sites can only be visited on booked, timed tours through the official Experience AlUla platform, and winter slots sell out, so book tours, flights and car hire together.
- Most sockets take UK three-pin plugs, though older buildings may have two-pin ones. The grid runs at 60Hz, which phone and laptop chargers handle fine.
- Alcohol is not available to tourists, and Ramadan changes everything: daytime opening is limited, but evenings come alive with iftar feasts and late-night markets.
Saudi Arabia travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Saudi Arabia?
The best time to visit Saudi Arabia is generally Nov–Mar. Peak months are January, February, March, November and December. Average highs in Riyadh range from 20°C to 44°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Saudi Arabia cost per day?
Roughly £60 a day on a tight budget, £140 mid-range and £300+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi riyal (SAR).
What plug type does Saudi Arabia use?
Type G sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Saudi Arabia?
Traffic drives on the right in Saudi Arabia, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Saudi Arabia?
Varies — bottled or filtered is safer.
Do I need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must get a visa to visit Saudi Arabia. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Saudi Arabia before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/saudi-arabia/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Saudi Arabia?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Dengue, Hepatitis B, Measles, Meningococcal disease, Rabies and Typhoid sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
