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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.

Filter the list

17 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 17

Interests

History 0 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 0 Sea and beach 0 Viewpoints 0
  1. Al Zal Market
    07 45 min

    Al Zal Market

    سوق الزل

    Al Zal Market, also known as سوق الزل, is a traditional marketplace in Riyadh associated with woven goods and textiles.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Riyadh
  2. Aziz Mall Aziz Mall
    08 45 min

    Aziz Mall

    عزيز مول

    Aziz Mall is a major shopping and leisure destination in Jeddah. It offers an air-conditioned urban setting where visitors can combine retail browsing with food, family time, and a break from the Red Sea city’s heat.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Jeddah
  3. Centria Mall
    09 45 min

    Centria Mall

    سنتريا مول

    Centria Mall, known locally as سنتريا مول, is a named shopping destination in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, identified in the mapped urban landscape by way/53090908.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Riyadh
  4. Hera'a International Mall
    10 45 min

    Hera'a International Mall

    Hira Souq

    Hira Souq is a traditional marketplace in Jeddah, known locally as سوق حراء. It is a commercial destination where visitors can experience the rhythm of everyday market trading in a Red Sea city.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Jeddah
  5. Jeddah Park
    11 45 min

    Jeddah Park

    Jeddah Park, known locally as جدة بارك, is a leisure destination within Saudi Arabia's second-largest city. Situated in the Hejaz region on the Red Sea coast, it forms part of Jeddah's urban fabric as a public space.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Jeddah
  6. Makkah Mall Makkah Mall
    12 45 min

    Makkah Mall

    Makkah Mall is a major shopping centre located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The facility serves residents and the substantial number of pilgrims who visit the holy city annually.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mecca
  7. Panorama Mall
    13 45 min

    Panorama Mall

    بانوراما مول

    Panorama Mall is a shopping and leisure destination in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, known locally as بانوراما مول.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Riyadh
  8. Riyadh International Market
    14 45 min

    Riyadh International Market

    سوق الرياض الدولي

    Riyadh International Market, known locally as سوق الرياض الدولي, is a visitable market in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The market occupies a site that formerly served as a university campus, connecting its present commercial role with a very different earlier use.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Riyadh
  9. Riyadh Park
    15 45 min

    Riyadh Park

    الرياض بارك

    Riyadh Park is a major public shopping and leisure destination in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The development occupies a site that previously housed a university campus, representing a significant urban transformation in the capital.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Riyadh
  10. Taibah Market
    16 45 min

    Taibah Market

    سوق طيبة

    Taibah Market is a traditional marketplace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, known locally as سوق طيبة.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Riyadh
  11. سوق الخليل
    17 45 min

    سوق الخليل

    Souq Al-Khalil is a marketplace in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, identified locally as سوق الخليل. It belongs to the commercial fabric of Islam’s holiest city, where markets serve residents and Muslim pilgrims.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mecca

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.