Can’t make up your mind on where to go this summer? Want to go somewhere new and exciting? Want to discover new places? Well, how about a road trip around the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We recommend you to pack light and don’t forget your camera. We have chosen ten exciting destinations within the Kingdom that would make a great trip for the whole family.
Riyadh
Start with the Kingdom’s capital located right in the middle of Saudi Arabia. It is the hub of government offices, big corporations, factories and embassies, which makes it a popular destination for businessmen and job seekers. Riyadh is a blend of the old and the new, which is strongly reflected in the architecture and homes. You will enjoy shopping in the malls such as Centria mall for luxury brands, to local market such as Al-Zall market that features many locally-made products. Food and dining out is very enjoyable and the variety of restaurants is just amazing. Tourists will find interesting things to do from picnicking at the park to feeding animals at the zoo or even camping out in the Tihama desert. This place has something for everyone.
Eastern Province
This province's Alkhobar, Dhahran and Dammam, are known as the 'Triplet Cities.' They are just about 20 km from each other and essentially form one big city. Half Moon Bay, with its many activities, is a must visit place.
a) Alkhobar is a vibrant city with multiple lifestyle hubs and shopping centers. Its long, beautiful Corniche is lined with numerous international and local cafes and restaurants that overlook the Arabian Gulf.
b) Dammam is an interesting city where one can enjoy a boat ride in the Gulf waters and do some fishing, swimming, diving and enjoy all the water activities. Explore the heritage village and learn more about the Saudi culture, then drive to the desert and ride a camel just like a typical Bedouin.
c) Dhahran is as great as the two other cities but what makes it special is the oil company, Saudi Aramco, which is the first oil company worldwide. The Saudi Aramco Exhibit Center is a must-see place where you learn about the history of oil in Saudi Arabia and the origin of oil, oil extraction, and the oil industry.
Aseer
They call it the Bride of Nature. It is known for the colorful buildings and great weather. Located in the south of the Kingdom and mostly visited during the summer season, Aseer is an agricultural area known for olive trees, and honey, which is known to be the best of its kind in the Kingdom, so don’t hesitate to take some with you back home. Local and open markets are very big in Aseer where tourists can find great deals from local products such as clothing, food and furniture. The farmer market is also a crowded place, especially on weekends and is a must-see to discover the local harvest.
a) Rajil Alma: The stone-built village, stern guardian of a trade route now in disuse for a long time,nestled in the valley at the foot of Souda Mountain, was hewn, dressed and built with relatively crude tools out of the local rock. It required a huge amount of human effort to build it. Eventually it fell into disrepair and became part of history. It has been restored and preserved by the local community and has won the Prince Sultan bin Salman Prize for Preservation of Urban Heritage in 2006.
b) Abha: Abha has established itself as the tourist capital of the region and displays all the trappings of the mass tourist trade. Cable cars, luxury hotels, amusement parks and some well-developed easily accessible tourist sites, all located in the cool mountains, which make it a popular summer destination for thousands.
Najran
When you arrive in Najran, it is very hard not to notice the kind and peaceful people of Najran. They are very friendly and very protective of the visitors and guests. The artifacts of Najran reflect very rich traditions. Traditional clay houses in Najran are considered one of the most beautiful houses in the world. Najran offers adventurous travelers opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, walking, and trekking around the green land. Local-made handicrafts are attractive, which you will find in the open markets. You well see locals making soap, and designing clay, wooden and leather goods, accessories and more. You can also visit the National Museum, park and zoo to see the real story behind this location.
Jazan
It is known as the Kingdom’s Pearl of the South. The agriculture and greenery in this area is just remarkable and makes a perfect background for a picture. The islands and beaches of Jazan are also famous among locals who spend their weekends fishing and enjoying water activities and sports there. Farasan Island is one of the most famous islands in the south of Saudi Arabia, especially known for its Hareed, parrotfish, festival when swarms of this pretty fish appear in the shallow waters in the Al-Hasis gulf close to the Farsan Island. The fish gets its name from the numerous teeth that are arranged in a tightly packed mosaic on the external surface of the jawbones, forming a parrot-like beak.
Tabuk
It is the perfect destination for those who are looking to spend their summer by the beach, natural desert or see cultural sights. Tabuk also offers many resorts, parks and adventures to the visitors. Tabuk is actually one of the few cities in the Kingdom where snow falls during winter and that’s when many locals head to the Louz Mountain to enjoy snow activities. The beaches are beautiful and offer tourists different activities such as water sports and fishing throughout the year in addition to camping, camel riding and feeding animals at the zoo.
Hail:
Those who are looking for desert adventure head for Hail. It is a perfect place for camping in the desert where you can enjoy many activities from hunting, camel riding to musical Bedouin nights. The city also pays close attention to history where old buildings still exist and locals are still holding on to their traditional clothing and food so if you want to learn more about this area visit the Hail Museum.
Jeddah
It is probably the most famous city when it comes to tourism. When in Jeddah you must pay a visit to the downtown area, it is festive and full of life. There you will meet Jeddawis and expatriates who go there to shop, eat and meet. You will see Bai't Naseef, and enjoy Jeddawi food right next door. Visit the Jeddah Corniche to see the Jeddah fountain and have dinner at one of the restaurants viewing the beautiful Corniche.
Taif
Known as the City of Flowers, Taif has flower factories that produce oil, perfumes and rose water. Anyone can visit those factories. Locals head to Taif especially during the summer to escape from the heat and enjoy this city’s cool weather. Aside from flowers, Taif is known for the fruit harvest that is later collected and sent to all Saudi cities and sold in local markets. A beautiful way to explore the area is to have a ride on the telepherque, mountain cable cars, where you can see the beauty of Taif. Families can enjoy an afternoon at the local park and zoo where they can picnic and feed the monkeys who are famous in this area.
Madain Saleh
Al-Hijr, whose ancient Nabatean name is Hegra, is the best known of the archaeological sites in Saudi Arabia. Otherwise known as Madain Saleh, the site has been the focus of attention for archaeologists over the last decade or so, not only because of the magnificent tombs and other monuments carved in the sandstone outcrops by the Nabateans, but also because of the wild desolate landscape in which it stands. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Madain Saleh will inevitably attract increasing numbers of visitors over the next few years. The construction of a new airport under way near Al-Ula, the nearest town to the site, indicates a drive to develop the region.
