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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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Category

Historic monuments 5 Museums 8 Places of worship 2 Nature sites 0 Viewpoints 0 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 0 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 0 Art and culture 0 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

1 to 2 hours 8

Interests

History 8 Art 0 Museums 8 Nature 0 Sea and beach 0 Viewpoints 0
  1. Masmak Fort Masmak Fort
    01 1 hr 30 min

    Masmak Fort

    قلعة المصمك

    Al Masmak Palace, known locally as Qasr al-Masmak, is a clay and mud-brick fortress in central Riyadh.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Riyadh
  3. Al Tayibat City Museum for International Civilization Al Tayibat City Museum for International Civilization
    03 1 hr 30 min

    Al Tayibat City Museum for International Civilization

    Tayebat Museum, known locally as متحف الطيبات, is a heritage museum in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Visit Saudi presents it as a principal museum for Jeddah and Saudi heritage.

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Jeddah
  4. Biet Nassif Biet Nassif
    04 1 hr 30 min

    Biet Nassif

    Naseef House

    Naseef House, presented by Visit Saudi as Beit Nassif, is a historic mansion in Al-Balad.

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Jeddah
  5. Exhibition Of The Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition Of The Two Holy Mosques Architecture
    05 1 hr 30 min

    Exhibition Of The Two Holy Mosques Architecture

    معرض عمارة الحرمين الشريفين

    The Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture is a museum devoted to the architectural heritage of Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina.

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Mecca
  6. Museum of the Holy Quran
    06 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of the Holy Quran

    متحف القرآن الكريم

    The Holy Quran Museum is a cultural museum in Hira Cultural District, at the foot of Jabal al-Nour in Makkah.

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Mecca
Show 2 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.