Saudi Arabia, occupying the majority of the central and northern Arabian Peninsula, is the birthplace of Islam. It is renowned for its varied topography, rich history, abundant oil supply, and distinctive Arabian horses. According to the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations, ranked 13th, in the world.
Tourists can find innumerable attractions from serene mosques, intriguing archaeological sites, and awe-inspiring museums to luxury malls, magnificent skyscrapers, and exciting restaurants. If you are one of those planning a trip to Saudi Arabia, read on to find some prominent places that you cannot miss to explore during your visit. For international flight booking, you can find a leading travel website offering special deals like a discount and free insurance.
Some airlines connecting Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, or Dammam with major cities are Saudi Airlines, Etihad Airways, Emirates, flydubai, Turkish Airlines, Air India Express, and many more.
1. King Abdulaziz Historical Centre
The King Abdul Aziz Historical Centre is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is home to the National Museum of Saudi Arabia, renowned for its exhibition halls and exquisite architecture. The halls are designed on various themes, such as Arabian kingdoms, Saudi heritage, the Prophet’s Mission, early human lives, and Islamic culture in Arabian regions, related to a different period in the history of the area.
The other attractions include a mosque, a conference building, an old courtyard house, parks, and a library.
2. Al Rahma Mosque
The Al Rahma Floating Mosque is situated on the Red Sea waterfront’s northernmost point in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Constructed in 1985, the mosque is a mix of traditional and contemporary Islamic design. It has 52 peripheral domes, a main dome and a white minaret, giving the shape of a turquoise-domed building.
It is referred to as the “floating mosque” because of the stilts that support it above the water’s edge, making it appear to float over the Red Sea’s waves during high tide.
3. Masjid Al-Haram
Saudi Arabia’s most beautiful attraction is Masjid Al-Haram, where you will be mesmerised by worshippers’ adoration for God. With its location in the holy city of Mecca, the largest mosque in the world attracts millions of devout followers, who congregate here to worship and engage in Tawaf, which is the customary circumambulation of the Kaaba.
The Holy Kaaba, or house of Allah, is surrounded by this revered mosque, and it serves as the principal place for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. Worshippers offer their prayers in outdoor and indoor prayer areas during Hajj.
4. Rijal Almaa
Rijal Alma Village, in Saudi Arabia’s Asir region, is one of the most historically significant and astounding communities. This little settlement was renowned for its amazing architecture, extensive history, agreeable climate, and stunning surroundings. It functioned as the region’s commerce hub for centuries and the direct route that connected Lavant and Yemen with Madinah and Makkah.
You will come across about 60 multi-story structures made of stone, clay, and wood. Further, Rijal Alma is also known for several historical forts and a museum built by local people in 1985 to preserve the village’s history.
5. Al-Masjid An-Nabawi
The other holiest and largest mosque in Islam is Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. A large number of Muslims across the world travel to Madinah to visit this mosque every year. Prophet Muhammad built this mosque in 622 AD when he shifted to Madinah.
The mosque, which is made of white marble, features numerous minarets. The mosque’s green dome, which is situated over the area where the Prophet Muhammad’s tomb is, is one of its distinctive characteristics.
6. Edge of The World
Called Jebel Fihrayn, The Edge of the World is a portion of the Tuwaiq Escarpment, a geographical marvel, which is situated in the arid northwestern desert region of Riyadh. The Arabian plate’s tectonic movement created this natural marvel, which people refer to as the “Edge of the World” since from its summit you can see for miles into the distance.
This location has become a well-known tourist destination because of the breathtaking vista. You can see camels crossing deserts, numerous hiking trails on the cliffs, and dry rivers.
7. Al Balad
Being the old district of Jeddah, Al Balad is renowned for its traditional homes, exquisitely designed mosques, traditional markets, and narrow lanes. It is a UNESCO-designated world heritage monument that previously served as a gathering place for pilgrims making their way to Makkah.
Al Balad is renowned for the historical Bab Makkah gate, at the beginning of the Makkah al-Mukarramah route leading to Makkah, the holiest city in Islam. This gateway, Al Balad, to Makkah is a popular tourist place.
8. Elephant Rock
One of the most famous rock formations in the world, Jabal AlFil, famously called the Elephant Rock, is the focal point of the area around Al Ula, a Saudi Arabian city in the Madinah Province. This rock has the appearance of an elephant that is grounded when viewed from a distance. The enormous rock, which rises 52 metres high, ascends three floors into the sky.
It is easily identifiable in the middle of a golden-sand desert amidst enormous rock outcrops of various sizes and shapes. The rock structure’s trunk and body were sculpted over millions of years by wind and water erosion.
9. Al Tayebat International City Museum
The Al Tayebat International City is a large museum that reflects the city’s illustrious past and is one of Jeddah’s most intriguing hidden jewels and tourist destinations. The museum houses a spectacular collection of foreign Islamic treasures, including contemporary furniture, ancient coins, etc. It does this by brilliantly fusing art and culture.
The architecture of the city is still in the traditional Hijazi style, with majestic minarets scattered across the vast complex, conveying the history of Jeddah, as well as the Arabian Peninsula. The museum houses more than 60,000 objects, including reproductions of the Kaaba, traditional clothing, and old manuscripts.
10. Qasr Al-Farid- Hegra
The Lonely Castle, also known as Qasr al-Farid, is one of Saudi Arabia’s oldest and most important tourist destinations. This old and abandoned castle had a magnificent antique framework, but the tall face of the castle still lies unfinished. Despite being known as a fortress, Qasr al-Farid was actually a mausoleum, belonging to the historic Nabatean site of Hegra.
Qasr al-Farid used a special building method that was influenced by the Nabateans. The monument’s odd architecture gives the impression that it was never finished. The fragment of the tomb that is still missing offers an intriguing look at the ancient carvers’ method.
You can plan your visit to all these attractions in Saudi Arabia with hassle-free flight booking after comparing the airfares of different airlines online.
