The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia holds an allure, from its ancient history to its desert-scapes and ocean vistas. Open to tourists from 2019, it’s a country that’s waiting to be explored. Here are a few recommendations, from Red Sea diving resorts to exploring Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, plus a summary of the region’s cultures and traditions.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
The best city to begin your exploration in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is Jeddah, in the western part of the Kingdom. This former port for Indian Ocean trade routes has a collection of World Heritage Red Sea architecture, bustling souqs and mosques, and plenty of luxury and modern shopping areas too. While the city is the second largest in the country, it still has a laid-back coastal feel, and it serves as a gateway for pilgrims to reach the holy city Mecca.
Three city sights
#1 The restored Al Shafee Mosque has foundations dating back almost 1400 years to Islam’s first period. There’s an impressive minaret and 16th-century Ottoman-style features.
#2 Matbouli House Museum is a three-storey property with wooden lattice balconies (known as Hejazi mashrabiyya). It’s minimally refurbished to present an authentic showcase of the rooms and décor. For example, there are old gramophones and telephones, uneven floors, stairwells and wood ceilings.
#3 Looking for somewhere to relax outdoors? The Corniche in northern Jeddah has had a major transformation from an unpleasant stretch of coastline to a leisure space and walkway with swimming bays. Expect children’s parks, outdoor gyms, piers and places to and grab a bite or a coffee. It’s definitely a weekend hotspot for locals too.
Adventure in AlUla
In the deserts of northwest Saudi Arabia, AlUla has served as an oasis to sustain human occupation for thousands of years. Now a UNESCO heritage area, exploring this past hub of trade, commerce, language, ideas and art is a must-do. And if you’re a nature lover, there’s plenty for you too, from sandstone mountains and canyons to a rewilding project aimed at bringing Arabian leopards back from the brink.
Things to do
- Go on a hike to discover carvings with dedications to loved ones, blessings for abundant crops, prayers for good health and rock art. These bookmark pilgrims and traders journey through AlUla.
- Learn about how Bedouins used the sky to navigate for centuries and gaze up at millions of stars every night.
- Take a hot air balloon ride 1,200 metres up for the best views.
- Climb the via ferrata, which involves hiking on the edge of a mountain attached to wire cables. Then cross a breathtaking bridge suspended between mountain peaks to relax on a giant canyon hammock.
- Join an aerial yoga class within the Shalal Canyon for a bit of suspended fun. This activity aims to improve your flexibility, balance and strength.
- Take part in a unique sunset yoga and meditation session. What’s different? You’ll be on top of a volcanic mountain amid a lava field 1,219 metres above sea level.
- Find out about a transformative project to rehabilitate 65,000 hectares of degraded land by 2030. This includes reintroducing native flora and fauna, including the Arabian oryx and the elusive Arabian leopard, one of the world’s most enigmatic and endangered species with only an estimated 200 individuals left in the wild.
Stay on the Red Sea
Just 500km north of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, the Red Sea is not only about the ocean. This archipelago has mountains, sand dunes and more than 90 islands surrounded by interesting marine ecosystems. Of these, nine are designated as special conservation zones and only 22 are being developed to avoid disturbing critical habitats. This is why the Red Sea is one of the best areas to stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia if you want to experience nature and the crossroad between Europe, Asia and Africa. Here are a few new accommodation options to consider for your trip. Plus a Red Sea diving resort for the underwater enthusiasts!
#1 Island escape
The St. Regis Red Sea Resort is located on a private island accessible by chartered boat or seaplane. Here you can stay in one of 90 overwater and beachfront villas each with a private pool. The resort also includes outdoor pools, a high-tech fitness centre, The St. Regis Spa, and the Children’s Club, alongside fine dining options and a butler service.
#2 Desert resort
Located along the historic incense trade route and against the backdrop of desert plains and the Hijaz Mountains is the Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea Resort. Accommodation options include guest rooms or pool villas inspired by traditional Bedouin tribal dress. During your stay you’ll find plenty to do. This includes exploring Nabataean architectural heritage and adventuring into the Alnesai dunes to taking in the desert vista and the tranquillity that comes with it.
#3 Red Sea diving resort
Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a top spot for those looking to spend a holiday on the beach or at a Red Sea diving resort. To get to this resort, you’ll take a speedboat or seaplane to your shell-inspired villa with direct access to the outdoors. The property also has a sea-view pool, telescope for stargazing, dining experiences, a spa, conservation house and dive centre with kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and snorkelling on offer.
Shop till you drop
One of the top activities to do in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is to discover local arts and crafts while immersing yourself in a bustling shopping experience. The best place for this is in a souq or traditional market where you can haggle for spices, handmade wool rugs, dates, perfume and more.
Prior to going shopping, do consider the times of daily prayer, when shops will typically close for about half an hour.
Traditional markets & luxury stores
While you’re exploring Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, you’ll have access to several souqs trading clothing, food, cookware, handicrafts and more. The largest, Souq Almena (also called Souq AlSawarek by locals) extends over nine square kilometres. Come evening time, visit Dammam’s Share Al-Hob souq. It’s also called the Love Market because of its jewellery shops, neon lights and street performers.
Major cities like Jeddah are becoming increasingly modern, which means you can also shop for different luxury brands. And there’s also a gold market selling local and international jewellery in the Oasis Mall in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
Ancient perfumes
Besides jewellery, textiles and spices, when visiting a market take a moment to have a look or smell of the perfumes on offer. Traditional scents include rose water and oud, which is derived from the oil of 300-year-old agarwood trees. Oud scent has become an integral part of Saudi Arabian culture. It’s often worn or burned as incense during holidays and given as gifts. You can find perfumes at traditional souqs, modern malls and stores. Try Abdul Samad Al Qurashi Fragrance House, which started in the 1930s; or you can mix your own at Nota Nota.
Riyadh Season 2024
Riyadh Season is an event that brings an array of interesting things to do and entertainment to Saudi Arabia’s capital city, Riyadh. Taking place across a couple of months, this year’s Riyadh Season begins on 12 October and promises a huge number of performances, competitions and food experiences.
So far, the lineup showcases 100 festivals and exhibitions and 11 international championships. Among them are the African Super Cup Finals, a Harry Potter zone, a dog festival, stand-up comedy and professional boxing matches.
Also as part of Riyadh Season, entertainment brand MDLBeast is putting on the music festival SoundStorm. This year, it’s a set of seriously a-list performers including Eminem, Akon, David Guetta, Jason Derulo and Muse.
Things to know before you go
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a Western Asian nation in the Arabian Peninsula. Islam is the state religion and it plays a deeply important role in shaping the culture and way of life today.
# Cultural traditions and days
Traditions place a high importance on generosity and hospitality. Guests are greeted very well and often offered tea and other refreshments by a host family.
Important days to celebrate include 23 September, which is a secular holiday marking the founding of the modern day Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Mawlid An-Nabawi are also important days for Islamic festivals and events.
The holy month of Ramadan is observed in Saudi Arabia. Shops and services shut down and working hours are generally reduced.
# Religion
Saudi Arabia is an Islamic theocracy; Al Saud, or the House of Saud, is the name of the royal family. All citizens are Muslims with about 99.3% of Saudis practising as Sunni Muslims.
# Clothing
Traditional dress for Saudi women includes an abaya, a long (usually black) cloak that covers their entire body, revealing only the hands. There is also a traditional veil called the niqāb that covers their head and face. Wearing these garments is an entirely personal choice and not a requirement.
The traditional dress for men is a long, loose traditional dress called a thobe with leather sandals. On special occasions, this is accompanied by a bisht, a long cloak with gold trimmings and headgear featuring a small white cap, a large square piece of cloth and a doubled black cord. Western-style clothes are common among the young Saudis for casual style.
Foreign travellers do not have to wear traditional clothing, however it is encouraged to dress modestly and to cover your shoulders and knees.
# Traditional cuisine
The cuisine features elements of food from the Middle East, Africa and Turkey. Shurma, for example, is a stuffed lamb dish that’s regarded as the traditional national dish of Saudi Arabia. Other dishes to try include shāwarmā – flat bread wrapped with marinated and grilled meat – and Khabsa, a rice dish served with shrimp or fish and dates and fresh fruit. Other popular dishes include Jareesh and Thareed.
Arabic coffee (qahwa) holds particular significance in Saudi hospitality. Tea, a yoghurt drink called laban, camel milk and buttermilk are also popular.
Traditional Saudi customs favour eating food while sitting on the ground without the use of forks and knives.
Pork is considered impure in Islam and banned from being consumed. Alcohol is also forbidden and the law prohibits selling it. Halal Islamic dietary laws are followed in Saudi Arabia.
# Arts, entertainment & sports
Music, dance, Bedouin poetry and Arabic literature are integral parts of life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Popular traditional performances include the Al Ardha, featuring Saudi men in traditional attire with swords or rifles in hand. The mizmar dance, meanwhile, uses an oboe-like instrument, and Samri in another tradition which sees men seated on their knees and clapping their hands and swaying to the rhythm of drums and poetry.
Prominent handicrafts include pottery, leather goods, wood carving, and items in copper, brass gold and silver. In particular, the kiswah is a black cloth made in Mecca with Quranic verses embroidered with threads of gold and silver.
Islamic artists cannot display the human body in their art. Instead, Saudi artists concentrate on interesting abstracts, geometric shapes and calligraphy.
Soccer is Saudi Arabia’s national sport with basketball, volleyball and tennis also popular. Camping and hunting using falcons and dogs are also very popular. In addition, there’s a range of water sports on offer, which is another reason to stay in a Red Sea diving resort during your visit.
Traditional sports include camel and horse racing. The King’s Camel Race is held annually and attracts about 2,000 competitors and 30,000 spectators every year.
Find out more about travel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia here.
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