You can visit almost any site your interest takes you and time permits! There’s a huge diversity of historic sites across the Kingdom, including eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They range from museums to desert rock art; buzzing old towns to the serene rock carved tombs of AlUla. Check out own guide to some of the top sites.

Hajj and Umrah are pilgrimages to Makkah. Hajj is compulsory for every able Muslim to perform at least once in their lives and occurs at a specific time each year. You need a specific visa to perform Hajj and should work with a certified service provider to plan your visit. Umrah is voluntary and can be conducted at any time but still requires a specific visa. You can watch live streams of pilgrims performing Umrah and Hajj at Makkah – just search for ‘holy mosque live stream!’

Yes, it is illegal to consume alcohol in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to bring it into the country and, except for very specific locations accessible only by registered non-Muslim diplomats, you can’t buy it either. However, Saudi Arabia offers a rich and diverse selection of delicious non-alcoholic beverages that will be very hard for you to come by elsewhere in the world, so you can try those and enhance your experience of the local culture.

There is no official dress code in the Kingdom. Just like in any country though, it’s important to respect local culture which usually involves both men and women covering their arms and legs. It’s no longer compulsory for women to cover their hair and everyone is welcome to wear western-style clothing. Nonetheless, Saudi women and men still wear variations on traditional dress but as much for fashion and practicality as cultural expectations.

Yes! There’s nearly always something going on in the Kingdom, from celebrations of tradition and heritage to global sporting, entertainment, and artistic events. You can check out our own suggestions for some of the best events, see what’s on and where during your visit through the official calendar, or just search online – Saudi Arabia is not shy about sharing what’s going and welcoming new visitors.

Saudi’s cultural and natural UNESCO sites can be found across the Kingdom and include Neolithic oases and rock art, the historic gateway into the Kingdom for spice traders and pilgrims, and stunning natural desert vistas. Why are they important? Because they show the length, breadth, and diversity of the Kingdom’s natural and human history, and because they can be experienced with care by visitors today.

Women in Saudi society have always held positions of power and influence. But it’s true that these roles were limited, particularly from a Western perspective. Today, there’s still work to be done, but there has definitely been a transformation in women’s opportunities and visibility in the Kingdom. From the moment you arrive, you’ll see women working, thriving, relaxing, and leading – as business leaders and baristas, artists and scientists, high-level government positions and ambassadors, or just chilling with friends.

Firstly, the weekend is Friday and Saturday – Friday being the traditional day of worship in Islam and now also a general day of rest and relaxation like Sunday in many other countries. It’s traditional for families to get-together, catch-up, and eat together while friends might head to the cinema or enjoy playing sports. During longer holidays, desert camping trips are still very much alive, while popular festivals and events celebrate artistic and cultural traditions.

Arabic is the primary language in the Kingdom, so basic phrases such as hello (marhaba), goodbye (ma salama), please (lo samaht), thank you (shukran), and excuse me (afwan) are always well received. But you’ll find in the big cities that most people speak at least some English. Other languages are less common – but prepare to be surprised! What you can rely on, is that most Saudis are ready to try to understand and help you as best they can.

The Saudi Riyal (SAR) is the national currency and its exchange rate is pegged to the dollar at SAR3.75 = US$1.00. It’s readily available at currency exchanges around the world and easy to withdraw from ATMs. What’s more, most places in larger cities prefer cards these days so you can go contactless with ease.

In short, loudly! National Day on 23 September is the main public holiday and is marked by firework displays, street parades featuring floats from the country’s different regions, and a party atmosphere. But whatever the event, Saudi holidays are also a chance for families and friends to come together, to share and enjoy delicious meals with jokes, catch up, and tell stories. If you’re ready to join in, you’re sure to have a good time.

Saudi Arabia has over 30 football stadiums and more coming for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The top Saudi Pro League teams’ games are always exciting matches, with the big rivalries among Riyadh’s Al Hilal and Al Nassr (current home of Cristiano Ronaldo) and Jeddah’s Al Ahli and Al Ittihad. Al Hilal’s main stadium is at King Fahd Sports City, Al Nassr is based at Al Awwal Park, and Al Ahli and Al Ittihad play at King Abdullah Sports City.

There’s more than a scene, the Kingdom is already a regional hub with a local industry worth  and home to the Esports World Cup (formerly Gamers8), world’s largest gaming and esports festival, and will host the inaugural Esports Olympics in 2025. With millions of players and fans, whatever your game, there’s probably people playing it right now in the Kingdom.

Saudi now has sports federations for almost every sport you can name and soaring participation rates among both men and women. So, whatever you want to play, there’s probably someone to play it with. As for where, there are urban parks, dedicated “Sports Cities” and local sports clubs with indoor and outdoor courts for just about every game. For more, read our own in-depth Q&A here.

Put simply, Saudis love watching sports as much as any nation and want to enjoy playing them with their friends (and competitors!), too. Investing in sports means more opportunities to see some of the world’s greatest sports stars in person and more opportunities for anyone in the Kingdom to play themselves, whether just for fun or to inspire future generations – perhaps even a new world champion.

No – it’s not about influence or reputation, it’s about bringing people together. Sport is a great unifier, which transcends cultural barriers (a good pass is a good pass wherever you are), something you can see in everything from friendly local competitions to the greatest international tournaments. Investment in sports is also something that benefits everyone – not just raising up playing talent, entertaining fans, and improving public health, but also growing the economy and creating jobs.

Women are playing and cheering on their favorites just like anywhere else. There are women’s teams and federations, alongside huge investment in sports facilities and training centers where more women joining in than ever before. As a result, Saudi women are crushing it in everything from golf to judo; the Kingdom is set to host the WTA tour finals from 2024-26, inspiring future talent; and almost half of Saudi e-gamers are women. Read our in-depth sports Q&A for more.

It’s hot, but that’s why we have so many indoor sports facilities – from football to padel tennis. But during the cooler winter and autumn (and even some summer nights) outdoor sports really kick off and Saudi truly benefits from its drier climate – there’s little chance of a game being rained off! There are also other, more climate friendly sports, including rock climbing in the cooler south or spectacular Red Sea scuba diving.

Saudi has some mega sporting events ranging from the country’s own top domestic tournaments to leading international events, including the Formula 1 and rally motor racing, tennis, UFC, and golf. And there’s even more still to come with the Italian Football Super Cup, Spanish Football Super Cup, and WTA Finals soon to arrive and the Olympic Esports Games debut in 2025, and AFC Asian Cup in 2027, Asian Winter Games in 2029, and the 2034 FIFA World Cup all scheduled.

Saudi architecture is an eye-catching mix of the traditional side-by-side with the cutting-edge. This is as evident in big cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, where the likes of Diriyah and Historic Jeddah stand shoulder to shoulder with modern districts, as it is in smaller towns. Most importantly, it’s architecture that’s built for people – whether it’s the living history of its traditional homes or the glitz of cutting-edge modern offices.

Outdoor public spaces are common across the Kingdom, whether in the form of public parks, squares buzzing with cafés and market stalls, or wide boulevards. How green these spaces are depends on the region of the Kingdom you’re visiting! Some areas, like the oasis of Al Ahsa or mountains of Aseer, have abundant natural greenery, others with drier desert climates save greenery for irrigated parks. Either way, there’s plenty of outdoor space and activities to fill it, wherever you are.

Yes… and no. It really depends on where you are – and this is as much to do with the climate as it is to do with urban design. In some cities, cars and public transport are necessities, but rentable e-scooters for shorter journeys are quickly growing in popularity. There is also a growing movement across the Kingdom, driven by Saudi’s own Quality of Life Program and real estate developer, ROSHN, to make sure newer developments prioritize walkability and cyclability.

There’s a real appreciation for arts, culture, entertainment, and sports options across the Kingdom. In new urban developments, you’ll see spaces for these being incorporated into designs – whether its cinemas, art galleries, or venues. And even in established places you’ll see public art installations as well as street art and cultural events on a regular basis. In short, arts and culture have rapidly become as much a part of Saudi’s urban fabric as cafes and shops.

New urban spaces in the Kingdom, like Riyadh’s popular Boulevard City, are integrating cafes and restaurants, galleries and exhibition spaces, shops, and entertainment venues along open, walkable spaces to bring people together. But it’s not just new spaces, across the Kingdom long-established public spaces, such as city squares, are home to café culture, food vans, pop-up shops and art displays, skateboarding and more. With a culture like Saudi’s, designing community spaces just makes easier something that’s already popular!

Today, Saudi cinema is a multibillion-dollar industry, with new films reflecting the many different sides of Saudi society across comedy, drama, horror, action, mystery, history, romance and more. Saudi films offer new stories and new stars, as well as insights into Saudi society and glimpses of its spectacular locations, while the latest blockbusters bring the hits from around the world to the over 60 cinemas now open in 22 cities across the Kingdom. So, the scene is looking good!

Of course! Outdoor activities are popular across the Kingdom – both in its spectacular deserts and in other natural landscapes, which range from forested mountains to pristine beaches. You can read some our favorite activities and where to do them here or search yourself on the Visit Saudi site.

Saudi Arabia today hosts the Middle East’s largest music festival – MDLBEAST Soundstorm, which brings some of the world’s best-known artists to the Kingdom of rhythm as part of a growing music scene. In addition, cities like Jeddah and Riyadh now have a year-round ‘Saudi Seasons’ events calendar, offering both the best of modern Saudi and international artists alongside celebrations of traditional music,and there are countless local concerts and shows across the Kingdom.

Eat, watch a movie, attend a concert, cheer on a sports game, go for a walk, go for a drive, have an early night, have a late night, socialize, play sports, relax, go out, stay in… in short, pretty much whatever people feel like doing! There’s a huge choice of night time activities across the Kingdom, Visit Saudi is a good place to start and there’s more information only an internet search away.

Growing interest and greater investment are encouraging more and more new Saudi theatrical works, as well as reviving older pieces and bringing international classics to the Kingdom. The two largest theatres are Ithra in Dhahran, the country’s east, and the King Fahd Cultural Centre in Riyadh, which recently hosted the first major Saudi written and produced opera – Zarqa Al Yamama.

Watching and playing football is the big one, as is gaming. But there’s much more – whether it’s traditional weekend desert pursuits like equestrianism, off-roading, or falconry to all that’s on offer in modern cities (cinemas, music, art, dining) young people in Saudi are both active and engaged. And to support these, there’s a huge amount of clubs, federations, and informal hangouts you can find with a quick search online.

Time off in the Kingdom can be relaxing, action-packed, or a mix! Outdoor activities are hugely popular, you can read some of our favorites here or search yourself on the Visit Saudi site. The Kingdom’s cities offer a huge and distinctive mix of unique activities, too, and with quick and easy transport within the Kingdom either by plane, train, or automobile, if you’ve got an interest it can probably be met.

Saudi’s traditional handicrafts include basket weaving, pottery, wood-carving, metal work, painting, and jewelry making – and Saudi’s diverse regions mean that these crafts have their own distinct variations wherever you go. These crafts are increasingly celebrated and you can often find places to watch these artisans at work and buy what they produce. At the moment, opportunities for tourists to join in are fairly ad hoc, but we have no doubt that as interest grows more opportunities will arise.

Getting a tourist visa for Saudi Arabia has never been quicker or easier. Check out our guide here and then visit the Saudi e-visa portal.

In general, the best weather is from October to March. But it depends on the region! In the Kingdom’s south, summer’s are cool but winters can be cold and wet, while Jeddah’s Red Sea beaches are popular year round.

Yes, of course! But do be aware of cultural norms around representations of male and female nudity, profanity, and religious references. It’s definitely worth considering covering up anything that could be misunderstood, simply out of respect.

Oof, where to begin? The cities of Riyadh and Jeddah are often seen as the ideal arrival points. You can fly directly from most countries, and there’s a fantastic mix of vibrant modern life, heritage and culture in old towns and museums, as well as connections deeper into the Kingdom to visit the iconic sites like AlUla and beyond. Why don’t you check the Visit Saudi site and plan your itinerary?

Pretty much everywhere! Saudi Arabia is rich in diverse natural heritage, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of ‘Uruq Bani Mu’arid Protected Area, part of the legendary ‘Empty Quarter’ of windswept sandy desert. Exploring the outdoors is a popular pastime in the Kingdom and there are numerous tours as well as ways of exploring your own way. You can check out some of our favorite outdoor activities and learn even more through the Visit Saudi site.

The Saudi climate is generally a warm (hot in the summer!) and dry desert climate, but it does vary between regions. The western highlands that then run down to the Red Sea, feature a cooler ‘steppe climate,’ further south still taller mountains of Aseer produce a milder, wetter climate still. Even within regions there are variations, such as the AlAhsa oasis of the northeast.

Saudi Arabia is more than desert, and its deserts are more than dunes! The deserts include the iconic sand dunes of the Rub Al Khali (the empty quarter), towering rock formations as seen in AlUla and Hail, and western Harrat’s dried lava flows. What’s more, Saudi’s mountains feature abundant wildlife – even forests. Oases across the country feature lush palm groves and natural springs. You can check out some of our favorite outdoor activities across these diverse regions here.

Saudi Arabia has some incredible, pristine Red Sea beaches that are often quieter than similar locations in the region, offering you the chance to get a truly unique and personal experience of white sands, clear waters, and incredible wildlife. There are also the sea-front corniches of Jeddah on the Red Sea and Al Khobar on the Arabian Gulf, where you can get a more urban experience that harks back to the days of spice traders that once plied these waters.

Yes! Railways connect major cities in speed and comfort, while a robust bus network operates across the Kingdom, too. At the same time, taxis and ride-share apps are also common, safe, and easy-to-use for everyone.

Yes! The major international apps are here as well as local success stories – just check your chosen platform’s app store. There is also an extensive licensed taxi system across the Kingdom you can rely on just as well, recognizable by their green livery.

Saudi Arabia is an extraordinarily well-connected nation, with modern highways, a robust Railways network, and regular domestic flights. Getting around is as simple as deciding where you want to go, booking a ticket on your preferred transport method online (or even renting a car), and heading off.

Absolutely. Saudi Arabia is among the top 50 safest countries in the world according to Global Finance Magazine, and Riyadh is among the top 50 safest cities according to the Economist’s Safe Cities Index, and everyone is welcome to explore its heritage and experience world-class events. With safe streets, a welcoming culture, and ultra-modern healthcare, you can visit Saudi Arabia with confidence.

As with visiting any country, respecting local laws and customs is just good manners – it’ll also make your trip much easier. In Saudi has moved on from its restrictive clothing rules, but it’s still worth covering arms and legs when out and about (it will also help dodge sunburn) and refraining from public displays of affection.

No… but you might find you want to. There’s no longer a legal requirement for women to wear abayas, but these loose fitting and airy garments remain popular items both for their practicality in guarding against daytime sun and the cooler night airs and for their fashion potential. Abayas now come in every color you can imagine, simple or elaborately decorated, and you’ll find entire shops (even malls!) dedicated to this iconic fashion item.

Yes! Saudi has wide-ranging network of modern emergency services and hospitals. Basic medicines such as painkillers, cough and cold medicine, and allergy treatments are available over the counter in pharmacies while stronger medications can be obtained with a prescription. Tourists get emergency healthcare coverage as part of the tourist e-visa process, most employers will offer a health insurance package, and health insurance is also easy to purchase either individually or for families.

• Ambulance – 997

• Emergency in Riyadh, Makkah, and Eastern Provinces – 911

• Police everywhere else – 999

• Fire department – 998

• Traffic accidents – 993