Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has rapidly opened to international tourism in recent years, revealing a vast and varied country far beyond its role as the spiritual home of Islam for millions of pilgrims travelling to Mecca and Medina. Jeddah, the Red Sea gateway city, blends a UNESCO-listed historic district, Al-Balad, with a lively modern corniche and contemporary art scene. Inland, the country is home to dramatic new tourism destinations like AlUla’s ancient Nabatean tombs at Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Saudi cuisine features kabsa (spiced rice with meat), dates and Arabic coffee, reflecting deep-rooted traditions of hospitality.
Explore Saudi Arabia Destinations: Jeddah.
Capital
Riyadh
Main Gateway Airport
King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah (JED)
Currency
Saudi Riyal (SAR)
Languages Spoken
Arabic (official), English widely used in business and tourism
Climate & Weather
Desert climate; extremely hot summers, mild winters, cooler in higher-altitude areas like Ta'if
Best Time to Visit
November to March, cooler temperatures for sightseeing and desert excursions
Popular Cities to Fly To
Jeddah is the main Red Sea gateway, with connections to Riyadh, Medina and AlUla
Popular Attractions
Al-Balad historic district, Hegra (AlUla) Nabatean tombs, Jeddah Corniche, the Red Sea coast
Food & Culture
Kabsa (spiced rice with meat), dates and Arabic coffee, deep traditions of hospitality and pilgrimage heritage