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Holiday in Saudi Arabia, the land of desert dunes and the Red Sea beaches in the UAE. Explore incredible desert landscapes, archaeological sites, and Arabic culture. With so many Saudi Arabia places to visit, we help you get a sense of the country’s incredible experiences. Feel welcomed by the Bedouin hospitality and cool air-conditioned malls with floors exclusively for women. Head to the coast to explore places to visit in Jeddah, spend afternoons bargaining for Arabic rugs and antiques in the souks, walk along the beautiful Jeddah Corniche, and more. We present the 15+ top things to do in Saudi Arabia to make your travel to the kingdom memorable.
Top Things To Do In Saudi Arabia
1. Celebrate at a cultural event at Riyadh Season 2021
Riyadh Season 2021 is a mega celebration of culture and entertainment across the capital of Saudi Arabia. With over 7000 events covering adventures, culinary experiences, exhibitions, musical concerts and more, this festival of fun and entertainment keeps its visitors intrigued. The event is a tourism attraction organized by the Directors of General Authority for Entertainment and happens all over Riyadh under a unifying theme. Retail shops, hotels, cinemas, cultural hubs, desert oasis, family leisure area and food zones with astounding events across 14 zones attract up to 100,000 international visitors.
Timings: October – March
Average Price: Based on Season Tickets
Pro Tip: Riyadh Season 2021 is a perfect way of exploring the depths of Saudi Arabia’s culture, history, heritage, traditions and art & architecture.
2. A Unique Adventure at the Museum of Illusions
Visit the fun-filled world of illusions and stay amazed at the sensory and mind-blowing displays. A popular thing to do in Riyadh, take a family excursion and be a part of unforgettable events that the museum offers. Jump into the Vortex Tunnel. Enjoy a collection of holograms and amuse yourself by tricks and games. Check out the Rotated Room, Anti Gravity Room, Vortex Tunnel and more.
Timings: 10.00 am to 12.00 am (Saturday to Thursday) | 1.00 pm to 12.00 am (Friday)
Average Price: $21.78 (adult) | $16.34 (children between age of 5 and 15)
Pro Tip: Try the fitness centre to sharpen your intellect called the Smart Playroom.
3. Witness Beauty at the Abha Dam Lake
One of the most beautiful places in Saudi Arabia is the Abha Dam Lake. Take a tour of the lake and be surrounded by wonderful views. With breathtaking mountainous landscapes and weather very pleasant at 25 degrees, this is a great place to visit in Saudi Arabia in summer. Relax and unwind and make the best memories, a popular place to visit in Abha. You can also take a cable car ride to the Green Mountain.
Timings: All Day
Average Price: $5.33; $13.33 (for a private room)
Pro Tip: Don’t miss the fireworks planned around the lake at night.
4. Enjoy the Dolphin Show at Dolphin Village Dammam
The popular theme park is a top place to visit in Dammam with kids. The amusement park features famous dolphin shows, sea lion shows, a swimming pool with slides and a lot of kiddie rides. Watch as dolphins entertain with acrobatics and enjoy halal food in a plethora of restaurants in the village. The Dolphin Village is a top Dammam tourist attraction. You could plan a stay at the Dolphin Resort with a swimming pool to enjoy the facilities more. There is a water park with water sports fun activities that you can enjoy.
Timings: 3.00 pm to 11.00 pm | Sunday closed
Average Price: $2.67
Pro Tip: Dammam also offers stunning desert scenery, fine dining, and wonderful seaside walkways.
5. Visit the Souq Okaz in Taif
A popular thing to do in Taif is to visit the historical place called Souq Okaz. This is considered as one of the largest markets in the pre-Islamic era. The other major markets that date back to 501 AD are Souk Majnah and Souk Al Majaz. Okaz is located in the Taif Makkah region and is a point of rest for merchants as indicated by Arabian history. The Souk Okaz Festival is a great time to visit with dancing, poetry reading, theatre, sports, and other activities planned. The fascinating 10-day cultural fest occurs during June and July.
Timings: 5.00 pm to 12.00 am
Average Price: Based on the tour
Pro Tip: Download the Okaz Market app for information on events and an interactive map.
6. Witness the Beautiful Tabuk Castle
One of the popular Tabuk Saudi Arabia tourist attractions is the small fortress with a lot of historical significance. It is an attraction to see en route to Medina for pilgrims. Tabuk Castle is now a museum with interesting artefacts dating back to the Ottoman period. Explore the open courtyard, watchtowers, and a ground floor mosque. Take a look at the cistern outside that once had a spring. It is believed that Prophet Muhammad drank water from the spring. The ancient castle of Tabuk dates back to 1559.
Timings: 5.00 pm to 12.00 am
Average Price: Based on the Tabuk day tour
Pro Tip: Enjoy a rich fatty meal made out of saj bread, seedless dates, milk and butter. This speciality of the region is called Khame’a.
7. Picnic at the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Sea Park
A popular Al Khobar visiting place is the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Sea Park. It is situated on the seafront with beautiful views of the Arabian Gulf. The park is a popular weekend getaway spot with large green landscapes of various shapes and restaurants serving international cuisine. The park also plays host to many events and has an open cafe. The park is opposite Al Rashid Mall and is at the entrance of Al Khobar. The city is also called the ‘Pearl of the Arabian Gulf’ with beautiful waterfront views of the gulf. The park attracts numerous migratory birds that make the venue a must-visit tourist spot.
Timings: All Day
Average Price: Based on the tour
Pro Tip: Children can enjoy themselves in the playgrounds located at the park.
8. Cascading Landscapes at Raghadan Forest Park
One of the top Al Baha tourist attractions is the Raghadan Forest Park. Al Baha is a city surrounded by more than 40 forests of which the Raghadan Forest Park is a must-visit tourist spot. It is just 5 km from the city and the forest spreads across 600,000 square meters. From this top tourist attraction in Saudi Arabia, you can view the famous 25 tunnels of Al Baha. There is also a zoo and playgrounds for children to have a fun day. Enjoy paragliding experiences and views of spectacular cascading waterfalls. There are special lighting effects at night to make the waterfalls breathtaking.
Timings: 8.00 am to 12.00 am
Average Price: $13 to $26 for 30 minutes
Pro Tip: Raghadan is also known for its ancient market held every Sunday.
9. Visit the Modern Al Jubail Mall for a Day Out
Go on a shopping spree at the Al Jubail Mall located in downtown Jubail. Visit the supermarket on the ground floor, food areas on the second floor and plenty of kids entertainment saloons. Do not forget to indulge in some chocolate tasting at the chocolate shop on the second floor. This is a fun Jubail tourist place to visit for the entire family. The mall has plenty of outlets selling international brands and some fine dining venues.
Timings: 9.30 am to 11.00 pm (Saturday to Thursday) | 2.00 pm to 11.00 pm (Friday)
Average Price: Based on the purchase
Pro Tip: Billy Bees is a fun kids entertainment venue in the mall.
10. Spend a Day by the Spectacular Yanbu Lake
One of the most beautiful places in Saudi Arabia is Yanbu Lake. A lovely picnic spot, this Yanbu tourist place is a great outing especially at the beginning of March. Spend time with your family and view amazing open skies with wonderful natural surroundings. Stroll around the cool lake water while the children play amid sheltered grass and play areas. Take a picnic by the man-made lake, a fun thing to do in Saudi Arabia. Feed fishes in the lake and enjoy a tranquil moment with the chirping of the birds.
Timings: 24 hours
Average Price: Free
Pro Tip: It is best to visit the lake in the evening, as the daytime can be hot.
11. Stare Amazed at the Kingdom Tower
A popular Riyadh tourist spot is the tallest building in the city, the Kingdom Tower. Witness its modern architectural style, an extraordinary tourist attraction that lights up at night. Go to the Sky Bridge on the 99th floor in the tower for mesmerizing city views, especially at night. The bridge is suspended 300 meters above the city and offers spectacular Riyadh skyline views. Visit during the weekday to avoid the crowds during the weekends. Try fabulous coffee at Al Masaa Cafe across the road, the world’s biggest cafe and take in views of the Kingdom Tower from the terrace. This is a famous thing to do in Riyadh.
Timings: 12.00 pm to 11.00 pm (Saturday to Thursday) | 4.00 pm to 11.00 pm (Friday)
Average Price: $16.79
Pro Tip: The best time to visit Riyadh Towers is during sunset for its illuminated night view.
12. Visit The Great Mosque of Riyadh
A top Riyadh tourist attraction is the Great Mosque of Riyadh and the nearby urban development gates, towers, squares, and commercial facilities. The mosque is set within the complex with a beautiful courtyard and a flat-roofed prayer hall. Look for two square minarets that indicate the qibla direction on the skyline. Visit the courtyards and open squares with granite benches and wonderful drinking fountains. The outer walls of the mosque are made of local limestone with small triangular openings in a patterned fashion.
Timings: All Day
Average Price: Based on the tour
Pro Tip: The architect of The Great Mosque and the surrounding urban development area is the famous Rasem Badran.
13. Go Island Hopping Around Umluj on a Day Tour
A fun thing to do in Saudi Arabia is to go on a private island hopping tour in the archipelago around Umluj. Book a day tour on a large boat and enjoy activities from dolphin spotting, snorkeling, fishing or just chilling by the seafront. Explore fabulous untouched destinations on a weekend. There are plans to set up eco-friendly resorts as part of the Red Sea project, to make places to visit in Umluj more attractive. Enjoy a day out indulging in water adventures that include boat rides as well. Explore the Red Sea on a guided tour and visit the popular island of Jabal Hassan.
Timings: Tour timings
Average Price: Guided tour costs
Pro Tip: You can visit the islands only with a licensed tour operator that offers itinerary tours.
14. Take a Spiritual Journey to the Kaaba
Located in Mecca, the Kaaba is the most important holy site for the Muslim community. It is the holiest shrine in Islam and is at the centre of Islam’s most important mosque, the Masjid al-Haram. Pilgrims visit the shrine during Hajj, considered a lifetime experience. The Kaaba is known by Muslims as the ‘House of God’ and is the qibla (direction) to perform salah (prayer). Pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times in an anti-clockwise direction during prayer. It is one of the top tourist attractions in Saudi Arabia.
Timings: All Day
Average Price: Hajj costs
Pro Tip: The Kaaba is located in the Makkah Province in Saudi Arabia.
15. Go on a Desert Safari at Sharm Yanbu
One of the popular Yanbu tourist places, experience the dunes at Sharm Yanbu for a great safari experience. It is located in the north and is a coastal city with lots of resorts. Sports such as diving, safari yachting and other adventurous activities are in plenty. Stay in a desert camp and indulge in fabulous outdoor sports, sand skiing, hiking, dune bashing, and more. Enjoy yourself in this coastal strip of desert land overlooking the Red Sea. Yanbu that was earlier only a seaport is now transformed into an important industrial zone.
Timings: Based on tour operator
Average Price: $160 onwards
Pro Tip: Check out the Dolphin Beach in Yanbu to enjoy beachy vibes.
16. Marvel at the Beauty Of King Fahd’s Fountain
A popular place to visit in Jeddah, is the King Fahd Fountain site, the tallest fountain of its kind in the world. King Fahd’s Fountain blasts streams of water from the Red Sea. The water rises to a height of 800 feet and can be seen from many places throughout Jeddah. Watch the spectacle at night with hundreds of spotlights and illuminated brilliance. This is one of the top things to do in Saudi Arabia. It is named after King Fahd, who donated the fountain to the city of Jeddah.
Timings: 12.00 am to 5.00 am
Average Price: Free
Pro Tip: It is also called the Jeddah Fountain and is located opposite the Ritz Carlton Hotel.
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