Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has only recently opened to leisure travelers, and what it offers is striking: the rose-colored tombs of Hegra, the kingdom's first UNESCO site, carved by the Nabataeans into sandstone cliffs near AlUla, and vast, silent deserts where dunes shift under changing light. The Red Sea coast has some of the region's most pristine coral reefs, while Riyadh and Jeddah mix ultramodern skylines with restored historic quarters like Al-Balad. For Muslims, Mecca and Medina hold deep spiritual significance. It's a country still writing its tourism story.

Why go thereSacred sites Ancient ruins Deserts Culture & heritage Nature & landscapes Diving & snorkelling Markets & bazaars Architecture & cities Adventure sports Food Beaches Road trips

Main destinations

Food & drink to try

Kabsa

Spiced rice cooked in meat broth with chicken or lamb, served on a communal platter.

Mandi

Meat and rice cooked in a pit oven so the fat drips down through the grain.

Jareesh

Crushed wheat cooked with meat and yoghurt into a thick savoury porridge.

Food & drink to try

Kabsa

Spiced rice cooked in meat broth with chicken or lamb, served on a communal platter.

Mandi

Meat and rice cooked in a pit oven so the fat drips down through the grain.

Jareesh

Crushed wheat cooked with meat and yoghurt into a thick savoury porridge.

Harees

Wheat and meat beaten together for hours until smooth, served in Ramadan.

Saleeg

Hejazi rice cooked in milk to a risotto texture, topped with chicken and ghee.

Mutabbaq

Thin dough folded around minced meat and egg, griddled and cut in squares.

Margoog

Vegetable and meat stew with squares of dough dropped in to cook.

Tharid

Bread soaked in meat and vegetable stew, named in the hadith as a favourite.

Madfoon

Meat buried and cooked underground with rice, the name meaning exactly that.

Samboosa

Fried pastry triangles of meat or cheese, the first thing eaten at iftar.

Masoub

Mashed banana and bread with cream, honey and nuts, eaten at breakfast in Jeddah.

Luqaimat

Crisp dough balls fried and dipped in date syrup, served all through Ramadan.

Kleeja

Cardamom biscuits filled with date paste, kept in tins for guests.

Tamr

Ajwa and sukkari dates eaten before anything else, with coffee alongside.

Qahwa

Pale roasted coffee with cardamom and saffron, poured from a dallah into small cups.

Entry & health

Set your passport

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Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Tipping & local customs

Tipping isn't deeply embedded in Saudi culture but is increasingly appreciated as tourism grows; check your bill first since upscale restaurants often add a service charge, and if not, 10-15% at sit-down restaurants is a friendly norm, while cafés/counter service warrant just rounding up.

Dress modestly — cover shoulders and knees, and dress conservatively; women visiting mosques or cultural sites may wear an abaya, though it's optional in many urban areas
Alcohol is strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia — do not attempt to bring any into the country
Always ask permission before photographing individuals, particularly women, and avoid photographing military installations, government buildings, or security personnel
Expect brief pauses in shops, restaurants, and attractions during the five daily prayer times, typically lasting 15-30 minutes — plan around it rather than fight it
Keep public behavior calm and avoid public displays of affection outside private or tourist spaces
Never eat, pass food, or gesture with your left hand — keep it by your side, as it's considered impolite at the table

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Before you go

Stay connected

Get an eSIM for Saudi Arabia — mobile data the moment you land.

via Airalo

Travel insurance

Cover trip cancellation, medical care and delays.

via EKTA