One of the three remaining absolute theocratic monarchies in the world attracts guests from different parts of the globe with an abundance of attractions. Tourists are greeted by the sights of Saudi Arabia literally at every step – it is important to rationally allocate time by choosing those that are well located and interesting to you and your companions (friends, family members, etc.). The country supports the ancient traditions of the Islamic people, so you should explore everything with a guide. We will tell you what to see in Saudi Arabia in 1 day and where to go if your vacation is long. You will only have to decide on the most attractive of the attractions.
What to see in Saudi Arabia first of all
Whatever attractions in Saudi Arabia you decide to see, remember to comply with restrictions on outfits, drinking alcoholic beverages and socializing with local girls. Penalties for violating laws (official and unofficial) are serious, up to deportation and imprisonment. It is extremely risky to leave the hotel grounds in Saudi Arabia without an escort. You should also be careful when choosing a wardrobe – it is very hot here during the tourist season – you will need hats, air-permeable shoes and sun protection. There are air conditioners inside buildings and at bus stops.
The main options to see in Saudi Arabia are historical monuments and cultural sites, but there are also natural wonders that fans of outdoor recreation will be delighted with. Among the main attractions:
1. The city of Mecca
View of the Royal Clock Tower in Mecca
The city of Mecca is the most important city for followers of Islam, where tens of thousands of people perform Hajj every year. It is an hour’s drive from the Red Sea coast and impresses with an abundance of historical and architectural monuments. If you are not a Muslim, then when planning what to see in Saudi Arabia, Mecca should be excluded from the list. A tent camp has been set up especially for pilgrims in the vicinity of the city, where Muslims come to pray in a Reserved Mosque. In Mecca itself, ancient structures are interspersed with ultramodern complexes such as Abraj al-Bayt. The skytrain has been operating since 2010.
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2. Al-Haram Mosque
Al-Haram Mosque during night prayers in Mecca
The Al-Haram Mosque, which is also called the Great Mosque, was built over several centuries, starting from the seventh century AD, becoming world famous due to its location inside the main Islamic shrine (Kaaba-Kuba). Covering an area of more than 357,000 square meters, it has more than forty entrances to receive the maximum number of believers. During the big holidays, there is a crush here, so you need to choose carefully when to go to see this landmark of Saudi Arabia.
3. Kaaba cube
The Kaaba is a Muslim shrine in the courtyard of the Masjid al-Haram Mosque
The Kaaba cube is a one–of-a-kind building in the form of a rectangular black structure with a height of about thirteen meters, towards which Muslims lean during prayer. According to legend, the cube was built by angels who descended from heaven, but then it was subjected to alterations and reconstructions many times. Large-scale restoration work was carried out in the 7th, 17th and 19th centuries.
4. Al-Nabawi Mosque
Masjid al-Nabawi or Mosque of the Prophet in Medina
The al-Nabawi Mosque is the second temple in importance for followers of Islam, the creator of which is considered to be the Great Prophet himself. It is worth seeing this landmark of Saudi Arabia for the sake of the burial place of Muhammad and the numerous minarets more than a hundred meters high. Two caliphs of the country are also buried here. The mosque is designed for simultaneous prayer of 600 thousand Muslims, and during the Hajj their number increases to one million. A special feature of the design is an open-type courtyard in the shape of a rectangle. The principle of construction of the shrine became the basis for architectural projects of other mosques. Previously, they not only prayed here, but also held court sessions, public meetings, Islamic lessons and solemn events.
5. Al-Kuba Mosque
The large domes and minarets of the Al-Kuba Mosque
The Al-Kuba Mosque is a universal solution for where to go in Saudi Arabia, because any tourist will want to see with their own eyes the most ancient temple built for believers in the Prophet Muhammad. Initially, it was built at a distance from the Medina, but gradually the city expanded, and now the temple is located on its territory. In the twentieth century, a grandiose reconstruction was carried out according to a project proposed by an architect from Egypt. On the site of the ancient building, a huge mosque was erected with a prayer hall, office space, a book depository, residential areas, a place of purification and utility rooms. The building has six domes and four minarets, which can be used to judge the size of the prayer hall.
6. Fahd Fountain
Powerful jet of water from the Fahd fountain Bassam.salim
Fahd Fountain is a Saudi Arabian landmark visited by tens of thousands of foreigners, located in Jeddah and dedicated to the 5th ruler of the state. For smooth operation of the fountain, a powerful pumping mechanism is equipped under it, capable of pumping up to six hundred liters of water in 1 second. The height of the formed jet is 312 meters, and the flow velocity almost reaches four hundred kilometers per hour.
Official website: https://scth.gov.sa/en
7. King Fahd Bridge
The highest height of the King Fahd Bridge above the water
The King Fahd Bridge is a complex of bridges and dams built for convenient transportation from the country to neighboring Bahrain and cost the local government more than a billion dollars. It took five years to build the reinforced concrete structure (1981-1986), and the name was chosen in honor of one of the kings. Traffic jams regularly form on the 25-meter-long bridge, and if necessary, it is used to transfer police and military personnel.
Sights of Saudi Arabia: what else to visit in Saudi Arabia
Traveling to this mysterious country can be even more exciting if you use the recommendations below to see what to see in Saudi Arabia. Our review includes the best attractions according to reviews, so if you have free time, they should be included in the trip itinerary.
8. Masmak Fortress
Masmak fortress wall with high round towers at the corners
Masmak Fortress is a fortification complex built in 1865, which passed to Abdul Aziz (the first ruler of the country) in the twentieth century and is considered one of the most visited places in the capital. In addition to the preserved ancient buildings, guests of Riyadh can learn more about the history of the city thanks to museum exhibits, and a mosque is equipped for faithful Muslims.
9. Madain Salih
An ancient building on the territory of the Madain-Saleh complex
Madain Salih is a great choice for those who are thinking about what to visit in Saudi Arabia during a long vacation. The ruins of the most important settlement of Herga in the first century BC, where traders from all over the peninsula came, are located on the territory of the complex. An interesting attraction is the collection in one place of architectural monuments of various peoples: Assyrians, Phoenicians and Egyptians.
10. Asir National Park
Blooming apricot trees in Asir National Park
Asir National Park is consistently included in the list of attractions in Saudi Arabia as one of the few territories with preserved flora and fauna. Affordable entertainment for travelers is walking through the vast territory of the park, during which you can see the rarest animals (including the Nubian mountain goat and chamois) and plants in the natural habitat, barbecue and picnic areas, play areas for children and athletes. Some areas are intended for setting up tents, so you can come here for a few days. The reserve has been operating since the eighties of the last century and is fully funded by the state.
11. Burj Al-Mamlaka Skyscraper (Kingdom Centre)
The Kingdom skyscraper against the background of low-rise buildings in Riyadh
The Burj Al-Mamlaka skyscraper (Kingdom Centre) is a huge structure built in just three years at the beginning of the 21st century, which has become one of the popular attractions of Saudi Arabia. At a height of three hundred meters, tourists can admire stunning views of the largest metropolis, filled with modern and ancient buildings. There are 99 floors in total, which gives the right to occupy the 115th place in the list of the tallest buildings on the planet. The main part of the premises is occupied by offices, and at the very top you can see an extraordinary extension in the form of a needle eye. For the design solution, the skyscraper won the nomination of the most original in the world in 2002.
12. The Rub al-Khali Desert
Sunset over the sand dunes of the Rub el Khali Javierblas desert
Rub al-Khali Desert – tourists who are interested in what to see in Saudi Arabia, in order to get closer to the locals, we recommend going to the desert, which is leading in temperature indicators and hides the ruins of ancient settlements. In summer, the thermometers here consistently show more than + 50 degrees Celsius, so such an excursion will not suit people who do not tolerate heat. Among the endless dunes are the oases of El Ain and Liwa, where green spaces have been preserved and there is water.
Having a rating of Kuwait’s attractions at your disposal, it will not be difficult for you to plan a trip that will leave behind amazing memories. If you do not want to deal with organizational issues on your own and risk violating local traditions, then you can study photos with descriptions and hire an escort. Guides in Saudi Arabia who speak Russian are quite rare, so it’s better to look in advance. An experienced guide not only knows the main places of interest in the city and the surrounding area, but also recommends a good restaurant and souvenir shops with reasonable prices. Read also about the best sights of Kuwait and be inspired for your further journey through the countries of the Persian Gulf!
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