saudi arabia
Saudi Arabia only opened to leisure travellers in 2019, and it’s one of the most interesting places to visit right now. AlUla is the highlight: a desert valley of sandstone outcrops and the tombs of Hegra, the Kingdom’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On the Red Sea coast, a new generation of island resorts sits beside coral reefs, while Riyadh and Jeddah show the country’s history and its rapid change.
where to go
A desert valley of rock formations, oases and ancient sites.
Over a hundred Nabataean tombs carved into sandstone.
Islands, coral reefs and new luxury resorts.
The mud-brick birthplace of the Saudi state, near Riyadh.
Al-Balad, the historic old town of coral-stone houses.
Dramatic cliffs above the plain outside Riyadh.
when to go
Saudi Arabia is best from October to March, when the desert is warm rather than hot.
November to February
Warm days and cool, clear nights. The best time for AlUla.
March to April, October
Warmer, but good for the Red Sea.
May to September
Very hot inland. The coast is humid.
where to stay
The Red Sea
A desert resort inland from the Red Sea coast.
Ask us about this hotelVillas on Ummahat Island, reached by seaplane or boat.
Ask us about this hotelLooking for something different? We know many more hotels and villas in Saudi Arabia, and we'll happily suggest the right one for you.
experiences
Explore the tombs with a local rawi (storyteller).
See the mirrored concert hall in the desert.
A night under the dark skies of AlUla.
Float over the rock formations of AlUla at sunrise.
Coral reefs just offshore from the island resorts.
Walk the old streets of Jeddah with a historian.
UK travellers can apply for an eVisa online before travel.
Dress modestly in public: loose clothing covering shoulders and knees. Headscarves are not required for visitors.
November to February.
Yes, especially AlUla and the Red Sea resorts.
pair it with
get in touch
Tell us your dates and we'll plan AlUla and the Red Sea for you.
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Travel advice: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has up-to-date advice on health and safety across the globe, as well as local laws, and passport and visa information. Please check travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and follow @FCDOtravelGovUK and Facebook.com/FCDOtravel regularly for updates ahead of travel, as the advice can change.
