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A photograph of Saudi Arabia

Country guide

Saudi Arabia

At 2,149,690 square kilometres, Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East and the only one with coastline on both the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf...

Photograph · Saudi Press Agency (SPA) · CC BY-SA 4.0

4,238 Places
3Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

At 2,149,690 square kilometres, Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East and the only one with coastline on both the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf — which is the fact that separates its cities. Riyadh, the capital, stands inland at the centre and is built at driving scale. Jeddah on the Red Sea is the older port, with a coral-stone historic quarter and the water at the end of the street, while Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities in Islam, are closed to non-Muslims. The 33.7 million people counted in 2024 are gathered into a handful of centres with long empty desert in between.

Checked 2026-08-25

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Arabic; English is widely used in visitor services
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+966
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Saudi riyal (SAR)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
911 unified in supported regions · 997 ambulance
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type G · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide drinking-water statement was recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

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27 places match

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Category

Historic monuments 27 Museums 0 Places of worship 35 Nature sites 13 Viewpoints 6 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 17 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 0 Art and culture 5 Activities 1

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 27 Half a day or more 1

Interests

History 5 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 0 Sea and beach 0 Viewpoints 0
  1. Black Stone Black Stone
    01 45 min

    Black Stone

    الحجر الأسود

    The Black Stone is an ancient stone set into the eastern outer corner of the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque of Mecca, Islam's holiest site.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Mecca
  2. Mount Arafat Mount Arafat
    02 45 min

    Mount Arafat

    جبل الرحمة

    Mount Arafat, known locally as Jabal al-Rahmah or the Mountain of Mercy, is a granite hill approximately east of central Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Mecca
  3. Station of Abraham Station of Abraham
    03 45 min

    Station of Abraham

    مقام إبراهيم

    The Station of Abraham, known locally as Maqam Ibrahim, is a significant Islamic religious site in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Mecca
  4. Jamaraat Bridge Jamaraat Bridge
    04 45 min

    Jamaraat Bridge

    جسر الجمرات

    Jamaraat Bridge is a pedestrian bridge in Mina, near Mecca, constructed for the Islamic ritual of stoning the devil during Hajj. The structure allows pilgrims to throw pebbles at three stone pillars representing Satan.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Mecca
  5. Bay'ah Mosque Bay'ah Mosque
    05 45 min

    Bay'ah Mosque

    مسجد البيعة

    Bay'ah Mosque is a place of worship in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, known in Arabic as Masjid al-Bay'ah. Its name refers to the bay'ah, or pledge of allegiance, and the mosque is associated with an important early Islamic setting.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Mecca
  6. Al-Balad, Jeddah Al-Balad, Jeddah
    06 45 min

    Al-Balad, Jeddah

    جدة التاريخية

    Al-Balad is Historic Jeddah, the old port district beside the Red Sea and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The official Jeddah Historic District programme describes a 2.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Jeddah
Show 21 more places

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Saudi Arabia be?

Eight to twelve days can combine three days in Riyadh, three in Jeddah, and a dedicated AlUla leg. Makkah is subject to religious eligibility and pilgrimage permissions and must not be planned as an ordinary sightseeing stop.

What entry documents are needed for Saudi Arabia?

Saudi entry depends on nationality and purpose, with tourist eVisa and pilgrimage permissions following different rules. Confirm eligibility through the official Saudi visa service and the relevant pilgrimage authority before booking.

What is the best way to travel around Saudi Arabia?

Domestic flights cover Saudi Arabia's long distances, while Haramain high-speed rail serves Makkah, Jeddah, the airport, and Madinah. Other routes rely on buses or cars, and desert excursions require an appropriate vehicle and reliable operator.

When is a practical time to visit Saudi Arabia?

November through February offers the most practical outdoor conditions for Riyadh, Jeddah, and desert excursions. Pilgrimage periods can change access and demand independently of weather, so check the religious calendar and permit rules.

What money and payment basics apply in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia uses the riyal (SAR). Cards are common in cities, but carry a SAR backup for smaller stops and verify the local-currency total before accepting payment.

What practical safety details should I save for Saudi Arabia?

Use 911 as the unified emergency number where supported and 997 for ambulance service in Saudi Arabia. Type G sockets supply 230 V; tap-water guidance is not recorded here.