The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East and the fourth most populous in the MENA region with its 2020 population estimated at approximately 35 million people.
The Kingdom is home to the Makkah Region, Riyadh Region, Eastern Province, Asir Region, Jizan Region, Medina Region, Qasim Region, Tabuk Region, Hail Region, Najran Region, Al Jouf Region, Al Baha Region, and the Northern Borders Region.
In September 2019, Saudi Arabia opened its doors to leisure tourists from around the world. This historic milestone is a key step in the implementation of Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s economic diversification program, aiming to connect Saudi to the world, build bridges between cultures and create prosperity for the future.
Visitors will have the chance to discover and experience the warm hospitality of the Saudi people, the rich heritage, the vibrant culture, and Saudi Arabia's diverse and breath-taking landscapes.
ADVENTURE
Saudi offers awe-inspiring natural phenomena and exciting, unique ways to explore its diverse terrain, making the kingdom worthy of a spot on any outdoor enthusiast’s bucket list. The kingdom boasts quite an itinerary, from desert and water adventures to camping and hiking through caves and craters.
Desert Adventures
Part of what is special about the Arabian Peninsula — and specifically Saudi — is its desert. In fact, Saudi Arabia is home to the largest sand desert on earth. From adrenaline-packed excursions like dune bashing and sandboarding to more serene, history-inspired activities such as camel riding and Arabian camping, the desert in Saudi serves as a canvas for more than just adventure travellers
Desert Adventures include - Dune bashing, Camel riding & Arabian camping.
Hiking Adventures
Saudi’s diverse topography is a delight for hiking enthusiasts. With striking lookout points atop cliffs and an oasis in the desert, there are plenty of adventures to embark upon on foot.
Hiking Adventures include Edge of the World, Al Ahsa Oasis & Jabal Abyad.
Water Adventures
Saudi is bordered by the Red Sea to the west and the Arabian Gulf to the east — making an adventure on or in the water an ideal way to explore.
Water Adventures include Red Sea Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, Visiting a Desert Lake & Exploring on boats and cruises.
Saudi Arabia’s Six Unesco World Heritage Sites
World Heritage is the designation for places on Earth that are of outstanding universal value to humanity and as such, have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. Places as beautiful and unique as the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, the Taj Mahal in India, the Grand Canyon in the USA, or the Acropolis in Greece are examples of the 1007 natural and cultural places inscribed on the World Heritage List to date.
And now Saudi is home to six of these natural wonders...
Hima Cultural Area
Found in the mountainous southwest of Saudi Arabia is Hima, one of the largest rock art complexes in the world. Situated along an ancient trade route, Hima is comprised of 34 archaeological sites that feature inscriptions in a range of languages such as Arabic, Greek, Thamudic, and Musnad which have been carved into the rock face. The carvings, which depict hunting, fauna, and fauna, are a time capsule that gives us an insight into the diverse cultures and peoples that have inhabited this area throughout history.
Hegra, AlUla
Hegra, which sits deep in the desert of Saudi Arabia’s north-western Al-‘Ula region, is home to the ancient tombs of the lost civilization of the Nabatean tribes who settled the area in the 1st century AD. Visitors view four surviving necropolis sites, which feature 131 rock-cut tombs and ornamental façades carved into sandstone outcrops.
Al Turaif, Diriyah
Diriyah is home to Al Turaif, the Al Saud families original seat, which was founded in the 15th century. The remnants of the mudbrick houses that were designed in the Najdi style architectural style and the history of the area dates back thousands of years. It was once a trading route, pilgrimage route, and meeting point for travellers and merchants from Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Al Ahsa Oasis
Al Ahsa is the archetype of a lush desert oasis that has been declared by the Guinness World Records as the largest self-contained oasis in the world. From hot and cold springs to historic mosques and sweeping panoramic vistas, this 6,000-year-old oasis is a microcosm of Saudi Arabia’s archaeological and ecological features.
Historical Jeddah
The heart of Jeddah is the historic old town, Al-Balad, where houses built from coral that is over 500-years-old can be found. The old town has been the subject of increased interest in recent years, and conservation has been carried out to preserve its unique history and architecture. According to local lore, Al-Balad may even be the resting place of Eve.
Rock Art in the Al Hail region
Venture to the northern Hail region of Saudi Arabia, and you will find yourself surrounded by ancient rock art in the middle of the desert. Jabal Umm Sinman in Jubbah boasts rock inscriptions dating back at least 7,000 to 9,000 years to the Pottery Neolithic period. Home to some of the most prominent Neolithic rock art in the Middle East, various inscriptions and petroglyphs reveal human activities, clothing, animals, and weapons of the past.
