Saudi Arabia, officially known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an Arab country located in Western Asia and constituting most of the Arab Peninsula. As the largest country in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia offers a plethora of striking landscapes. The rich history, vast stretches of deserts, forts, mosques and temples spread throughout the country will overwhelm you. The out-of-the-box festivals and Islamic cultures, etiquettes and tradition will leave you fascinated.

Islam is considered to have emerged from Saudi Arabia and as such, it holds deep significance with Muslims across the world. The cities of Mecca and Medina are home to incredibly sacred mosques that draw millions of visitors each year; however, foreign non-Muslims are not permitted to enter these sites.

Saudi Arabia is an extremely dry country and rainfall is minimum. In summers, the country witnesses blistering heat and humid temperatures thus, making it uncomfortable to get around. From November onwards, the weather is welcoming. However, nights are quite chilly but you can easily explore the place during day time. It is best to travel during the calmer winter period (December to March)

The traditional Saudi cuisine includes delectable dishes prepared using meat, rice, lamb, vegetables, and dates! Meat and rice is a common favourite of locals in Saudi and hence most of their local dishes include these two ingredients. If you are someone who loves Biryani, Saudi surely has better options for you.

Dive into the rich and authentic taste that this country has to offer. As you can never explore a place thoroughly without diving straight into the flavours of the cuisines they offer!  Some of the prominent dishes of the country are Kapsa, Margoog, Arekah, Mahela, Gursanand many others. Drinking tea and coffee is also popular in Saudi Arabia.

Shopping can turn out to be a great experience in Saudi Arabia. There are many luxurious malls which have different brands. Saudi Arabian malls can fulfil all your shopping needs. Some of the famous malls are Al-Rashid Mall in Al Khobar, Red Sea Mall in Jeddah, Granada Centre and Riyadh Gallery Mall in Riyadh. Gold shopping is popular in Saudi Arabia.

Soft and mouth-watering Dates are worth taking home. Bazaars or souks are great places to head for not too expensive shopping. From these bazaars, you can purchase Handicrafts. Haggling is very common and make sure to bargain as much as you can for a lower price.

Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia and the primary language used in all dealings and public transactions. English serves as an informal second language in the Kingdom and is spoken by a large section of its society. All road signs are bilingual, showing information in both Arabic and English.

1. JEDDAH

Jeddah is the second largest city in Saudi Arabia and a major commercial centre. It is most famous as the gateway to Mecca and Medina, the holiest cities in Islam. Located close to the Red Sea, Jeddah is a resort city and is visited for its shopping malls, restaurants and cafes.

Jeddah is spread along the coast of the Red Sea and is connected by the 30km long Corniche (waterfront area). Al-Balad, or the old city, is located on the southern side, while the main and the modern city starts from the northern side. Al-Balad is one of the top sights in Jeddah and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is dotted with ancient buildings, traditional souks (markets) and the coral houses that Jeddah is famous for. The beautiful waterfront is a great picnic spot offering a breathtaking view of the Red Sea. Also, because of its location, Jeddah is a great place for scuba diving.

Places to visit in Jeddah: King Fahd Fountain, Al Rahma Mosque, Al-Balad Market, Obhur Corniche, Fakieh Aquarium

2. RIYADH

Riyadh is the capital and the largest city in Saudi Arabia. It is situated in the middle of the an-Nafud desert and was formerly known as Hajr al-Yamamah. Riyadh is a blend of the medieval and the modern, where traditional souks, interesting museums and ancient architecture are located alongside highrises, world-class malls, and restaurants.

Once a walled city, Riyadh is one of the wealthiest cities in the world. It is home to Saudi Arabia’s best museums, the UNESCO Heritage site of Diriyah, Masmak Fortress and the Murabba Palace, among other major attractions. Riyadh is also home to world-class designer stores, boutiques, and spectacular fine-dining restaurants. There are also several golf courses near the city.

Places to visit in Riyadh: Kingdom Centre Tower, Masmak Fort, National Museum of Saudi Arabia, Deera Square, The old city of Ad Diriyah (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Al Faisaliyah center

3. MADINAH

Medina is the second holiest city of Islam, after Mecca, and is visited by millions of pilgrims for Hajj or Umrah. This is the city where Prophet Muhammad lived and taught after he migrated from Mecca in 622 AD. Unlike Mecca, Medina is open to non-muslim visitors. However, they are prohibited from visiting the Prophet’s Mosque.

Medina is centred on Al Masjid an Nabawi, or the Prophet’s Mosque, which is the final resting place of Prophet Muhammad. The breathtaking 10-minaret mosque is open 24 hours, and the prayers offered here are believed to be never rejected. Non-muslim visitors are not allowed to go near the area surrounding the mosque. Two other important sites in Medina are Quba Mosque and Mount Uhud. Quba Mosque is the site where the foundation stone of the world’s first mosque was laid by the Prophet, while Mount Uhud is the place where the battle for Makkah (mecca) took place.

For non-muslim visitors, Medina has some fascinating museums, numerous historic mosques and some shopping malls, along with a hop-on-hop-off bus tour of the major sites in the city.

Places to visit in Medina: Al-Ghamamah Mosque, Al-Miqat Mosque, Ali Ibn Abi Talib Mosque, Quba Castle and Mosque

4. MECCA

Mecca, or Makkah, is the holiest city in Islam and is located in the Red sea region of western Saudi Arabia about 45 miles east of Jeddah. It only allows muslims to visit as tourists or pilgrims. The city is known to be the birthplace of the founder of Islam, Prophet Mohammed. Mecca is also believed to be the place where first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet by angel Zibrael. Masjid al-Haram, the great mosque of Mecca surrounding Kaaba (centre of the mosque) is considered to be the most sacred in Islam.

Mecca is the third largest city, population-wise, in Saudi Arabia and visited by millions of muslims all year round for the hajj pilgrimage (obligatory for all physically and financially capable muslims) and the Umrah (a minor pilgrimage not mandatory but encouraged). Al Haram, Mina and Arafat have religious significance and hence staying in these areas can be expensive. Al Aziziya and Jeddah offer budget accommodation but are a bit far from Makkah.

At the centre of Mecca city is Haram Mosque or the great mosque. The Kaaba and holy well of Zamzam is located inside the mosque. Every muslim, wherever they are, perform their daily prayer called namaz, facing the Kaaba. And according to muslims Zamzam is the holiest water on the earth. The building of the mosque consists of the old old city. The great mosque extends to north and south west but is restricted in east and west due to the presence of mountains. There are several skyscraper hotels that are built around the mosque, making the city more hospitable.

5. DAMMAM

The capital of the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dammam is the sixth largest city in the country. A major hub of the Saudi oil industry, Dammam is the largest growing city in the entire Arab region. It is a thriving metropolis in the Arabian Gulf known for its waterfronts, beaches and parks.

Like the rest of the country, Damman revels in Saudi Arabian culture, traditions and cuisine. The city is well developed and has many interesting places, including the beautiful Dammam corniche area and King Fahd Park. In addition, it is home to the kingdom’s first street-art exhibition in Al Khobar’s Bayoonya district. Damman also has some entertainment parks, museums and shopping malls. Damman was originally a cluster of little hamlets, with its small population depending mainly on fishing and pearls for their livelihood. However, the discovery of the oil wells in the region, accounting for a quarter of the world’s oil reserves, led to massive economic developments and transformed it into an important centre for trade and commerce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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