Saudi Arabia

Discover the wonders of Saudi Arabia with our helpful travel guide. Learn about the weather patterns and find out the best times to visit this fascinating country. Our guide covers transportation options and how to get around easily during your stay. Explore top cities and must-see destinations, along with delicious local foods you should try. We also reveal hidden gems that most tourists miss, helping you experience the authentic Saudi Arabia.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Central Region (Riyadh): November to February brings pleasant temperatures (15-25°C/59-77°F), making it the best time to explore the capital's attractions without experiencing the extreme summer heat that often exceeds 45°C/113°F.

Western Region (Jeddah, Mecca, Medina): October to March offers comfortable weather for pilgrimage and coastal activities with temperatures between 20-30°C/68-86°F and reduced humidity levels.

Eastern Province (Dammam, Al Khobar): November to April provides the most agreeable climate with temperatures ranging from 15-30°C/59-86°F, ideal for enjoying the Persian Gulf coastline.

Southern Region (Abha, Khamis Mushait): March to October is the optimal period as the highlands maintain cooler temperatures (15-25°C/59-77°F) while the rest of the country experiences intense heat.

Northern Region (Tabuk, Ha'il): February to April and September to November feature moderate temperatures (15-25°C59-77°F) and some rainfall, creating perfect conditions for exploring ancient ruins and desert landscapes.

How to Get to Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has several major airports connecting visitors to different regions of the country. 

In Riyadh, King Khalid International Airport serves as the main entry point to the capital city. King Abdulaziz International Airport provides access to Jeddah and serves as an important arrival point for religious pilgrims.

Dammam is home to King Fahd International Airport, one of the largest airports in the region. 

Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport connects travelers to Madinah and its religious sites, while Abha International Airport provides access to the country's southern mountainous region.

Recent expansions to airports in Taif and Al-Qassim have improved access to these areas, making it easier for visitors to explore more of Saudi Arabia as the country continues to develop its tourism sector.

How to Get Around

Travelers move across Saudi Arabia through a network of practical options that connect ancient cities with modern convenience. 

Planes zip between urban centers as Saudia Airlines shuttles passengers over vast desert landscapes in just hours. 

The Haramain High-Speed Railway whisks people between the holy cities of Mecca and Medina to coastal Jeddah, with passengers watching the changing terrain through wide windows while sipping coffee in air-conditioned carriages.

SAPTCO buses wind their way through towns and cities, where locals share travel tips with curious visitors. 

Inside cities, taxis provide refuge from the midday heat, their drivers often becoming impromptu tour guides with stories about neighborhood history. Uber and Careem cars appear within minutes after a few taps on a phone screen.

In Riyadh, the metro's sleek trains glide on six routes through the capital, saving passengers from traffic jams above. 

Along the coast, ferries carry people across the blue waters of the Red Sea, offering sea breezes and views impossible to experience on land. 

Groups often travel in private minivans to historical sites, while rental cars await those who wish to create their own path through the dunes.

For train travel options, check out Haramain High-Speed Railway and SAR East Train on our website.

Food Scene

Across Saudi Arabia, the aroma of spices tells stories of centuries-old traditions that change as you travel from one city to another. 

In Riyadh, the kabsa combines rice and meat in ways that generations of families have perfected in their homes. The jareesh arrives is where wheat and meat merge into comfort food that has sustained desert travelers for centuries. 

The narrow streets of Jeddah's Al-Balad fill with the sounds of vendors calling customers to try their matabaq, the thin layers of dough folding around fillings that change with what's fresh that day. Meanwhile, in Riyadh's Souq Al Zal, the sweetness of dates transforms into hininy, a dish that reminds many Saudis of childhood celebrations.

Each region adds its chapter to this food story:

• The Hijaz area serves saleeg, where rice simmers in milk until creamy.
• Eastern Province cooks patiently prepare harees as wheat and meat transform through hours of slow cooking.
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Hidden Gems

1. Jubbah Rock Art (Hail)
Ten thousand years ago, people carved their stories into the sandstone at Jubbah. Their hands etched animals, people, and everyday scenes that have outlasted empires. Today, visitors stand in the same spots, tracing these UNESCO-protected marks with their eyes, connecting across millennia. 

The winter months between October and March offer comfortable temperatures for exploring these ancient galleries. The journey takes about 90 minutes by car from Hail, with the final approach better suited to 4WD vehicles that can handle the terrain.

2. Farasan Islands (Jizan)
On these islands, gazelles roam freely near beaches where no footprints mark the white sand. Below the clear water, coral reefs house thousands of fish that dart between colors. Old Ottoman buildings stand as quiet reminders of times past. 

The islands welcome visitors most comfortably from November through April, when the water visibility peaks for divers. A free ferry makes the 90-minute crossing from Jizan Port twice daily. Remember to bring your passport for this journey to Saudi Arabia's offshore sanctuary.

3. Wadi Lajab (Jizan)
Water has carved a green path through granite walls in Wadi Lajab, creating a place that challenges what most people think they know about Saudi Arabia. Year-round pools reflect the sky between canyon walls where plants cling to life in unexpected abundance. 

Hikers find the 130 km (80 miles)journey northeast from Jizan most rewarding from December through February when the air turns cool and crisp. The wadi reveals itself only to those with 4WD vehicles, and those who travel with someone who knows the way often discover its best secrets.

Scenic Routes

Beyond the sand dunes that often come to mind, Saudi Arabia reveals itself through roads that tell stories of mountains, coastlines, and civilizations that thrived thousands of years ago. The country unfolds differently when seen through a car window, with each route offering a chapter of Saudi's natural and historical narrative.

Jeddah to Taif: The road climbs from sea level to 1,800 meters through switchbacks carved into ancient mountains. In spring, yellows and purples dot the roadside as wildflowers catch the mountain breeze. Drivers find themselves stopping often, cameras in hand, as the Red Sea appears like a blue canvas below. A car gives you the freedom to linger at the spots where clouds seem close enough to touch.

Riyadh to Edge of the World: Just two hours from the capital stands a place where the earth seems to drop away without warning. The Tuwaiq Escarpment rises from the desert floor like nature's own skyscraper. Between November and February, the gentle winter sun casts shadows that change by the minute across the landscape. The final stretch asks for a 4WD vehicle, but the reward is worth the rumble.

Medina to AlUla: Caravans once trudged this path carrying spices and silks. Today, the road passes red rock formations that have witnessed centuries of human history. The cooler months from October to April allow travelers to step out often, touching stones that merchants may have rested against a thousand years ago.

Tabuk to Neom: Water meets desert along this coastal route, where beaches remain largely footprint-free. The Red Sea here shifts between deep blue and clear turquoise. Fall brings temperatures that make windows-down driving pleasant. With a 4WD, the beaches and hidden coves become your personal discovery.

AlUla to Hegra: A short drive leads to tombs carved by hands that worked over 2,000 years ago. Winter mornings cast a golden light on the sandstone facades, revealing details of Nabataean craftsmanship. Having your own car means staying until the crowds thin, finding angles where it's just you and history in conversation.

Events, Festivals and Local Markets

Each year, families gather at the Janadriyah Festival in Riyadh where grandmothers weave baskets using techniques passed down for generations. Children watch wide-eyed as men perform sword dances that tell stories of ancient battles, while the aroma of freshly baked bread wafts from clay ovens in reconstructed Bedouin camps.

When evening falls during Riyadh Season in Riyadh, the sky fills with lights and music. Local teenagers line up alongside visiting families to watch international musicians perform on outdoor stages, while others cheer at wrestling matches or comedy shows happening in different corners of the city.

At Jeddah Season in Jeddah, children splash in fountains as parents watch street performers against the blue backdrop of the Red Sea. Food stalls serve fish caught that morning, while nearby galleries showcase artwork from across the region.

Walk through Souq Al Zal in Riyadh any day of the year and hear shopkeepers call out greetings as they have for centuries. Old men sip tea while discussing the quality of handmade daggers, brass lamps catch afternoon sunlight, and shoppers compare intricate carpets that will become family heirlooms.

Best Places to Visit

1. In Makkah (Mecca), the Grand Mosque stands at the heart of Islamic faith, where millions gather each year. The Kaaba, draped in its black cloth, draws people from every corner of the world. During November to February, the air cools enough to make walking through the marble courtyards comfortable rather than challenging.

At night, voices rise in Quran recitation, echoing through the mosque's halls. During Ramadan, the entire city shifts its rhythm. Sleep becomes a daytime activity, while nights fill with prayer and community. The mosque never empties, as people come and go at all hours, each following their own spiritual journey.

How to get to Mecca

• -Fly into Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport, then take a 1-hour drive to Makkah
• -Use the Haramain High-Speed Railway from major cities
• -Book an authorized Hajj/Umrah tour package that includes transportation

2. Medina tells its stories through architecture and quiet courtyards. The Prophet's Mosque, with its green dome visible from across the city, anchors everything around it. Nearby, Quba Mosque stands as a testament to early Islamic history. From October through March, gentle breezes make exploring the city on foot a pleasure rather than a challenge.

Each day, people gather in circles on the mosque carpet to study ancient texts. As evening falls, the areas around the mosque fill with families breaking fast, travelers resting, and scholars exchanging ideas. Unlike many religious centers, Medina moves at an unhurried pace, allowing visitors to absorb its significance.

How to get to Medina

• -Fly directly to Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport
• -Take the Haramain High-Speed Railway connecting Makkah, Jeddah, and Medina
• -Travel by bus from major Saudi cities with services running multiple times daily

3. Dammam meets the Arabian Gulf with a long waterfront where families gather as the sun sets. Oil may drive its economy, but the sea shapes its character. Between November and April, the weather turns gentle, perfect for evening walks along the corniche or morning coffees facing the water.

Every week, the seafront comes alive with drummers and dancers performing in the open air. In the old markets, craftspeople bend over their work — a man teases patterns from metal, a woman's fingers fly across a loom. These aren't performances for tourists but continuations of traditions passed through generations.

How to get to Dammam

• -Fly into King Fahd International Airport, one of the largest airports in the world
• -Drive via the causeway from Bahrain (approximately 1 hour)
• -Take a train on the eastern line of the Saudi railway network
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Tips for Traveling to Saudi Arabia

VISA & ENTRY

Tourist eVisa available online for citizens of 49 countries

Valid for 1 year with multiple entries

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months

CULTURAL ETIQUETTE

Dress modestly by keeping shoulders and knees covered

• Avoid public displays of affection
• Respect daily prayer times when businesses may temporarily close
• Don't photograph government buildings or military installations

MONEY MATTERS

The local currency is the Saudi Riyal (SAR)

Credit cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas

ATMs are readily available in urban areas

Tipping 10-15% is standard at restaurants and for services

HEALTH & SAFETY

For emergencies, call 911

• Get vaccinated for Hepatitis A/B and typhoid before traveling
• Purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical evacuation
• Drink plenty of water, especially during summer months

TRANSPORTATION

Use Uber or Careem apps for convenient and reliable transportation

Public transportation is limited but expanding in major cities

Women are permitted to drive in Saudi Arabia