Saudi Arabia

Places in Saudi Arabia

• Abha

  Abha is the high-altitude capital of Asir province, offering cooler weather and scenic mountain views. It is a popular summer getaway for Saudis, with attractions like the lookout at Mt Sooda, Habala Hanging Village, and a Turkish fort.

  Atlas entry

• Dammam

  Dammam is the largest city in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province and serves as the kingdom's third-largest city after Riyadh and Jeddah. It functions as the main transport hub for the Dammam-Dhahran-Khobar cluster, making it a practical stop for travelers transiting through the region.

  Atlas entry

• Farasan Islands

  The Farasan Islands offer a rare glimpse into Saudi Arabia's untouched Red Sea coast, with over 90 islands and only about 18,000 residents. The archipelago features pristine coral reefs for diving and snorkeling, historic villages dating to Roman times, traditional coral-stone architecture, and the unique experience of island life in the Arabian Peninsula.

  Atlas entry

• Ha'il

  Ha'il is the capital of Ha'il Region in north-central Saudi Arabia, famous for ancient rock art and rugged mountain scenery. Historically it was a stop on camel caravan routes and the Hajj pilgrimage path from Iraq.

  Atlas entry

• Hofuf

  Hofuf (al-Hofuf) is located within the al-Ahsa oasis, one of the world's largest naturally occurring oasis complexes. In 2018, this oasis was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognizing its historical significance as a crossroads of trade routes and Islamic scholarship.

  Atlas entry

• Jeddah

  Jeddah is Saudi Arabia's commercial capital on the Red Sea, serving as the main entry point for Hajj pilgrims heading to Mecca and Medina. The city offers a more liberal atmosphere than Riyadh, with beach resort compounds to the north known for relaxed social norms.

  Atlas entry

• Jizan

  Jizan is a port city on the Red Sea coast in southwestern Saudi Arabia, serving as the capital of Jizan Province. The city offers access to the Farasan Islands coral archipelago and mountain valleys like Lajab.

  Atlas entry

• Khobar

  Khobar is the most pleasant of the Dammam-Dhahran-Khobar trio, thanks to its seaside location and beachside Corniche. It has the best pedestrian-friendly walkways in the area and women face fewer restrictions regarding dress codes compared to other eastern Saudi cities.

  Atlas entry

• Mecca

  Mecca is the holiest city in Islam and the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad. Every Muslim aspires to visit this sacred city at least once in their lifetime.

  Atlas entry

• Medina

  Medina is Islam's second holiest city, visited by pilgrims after completing the Hajj or as part of Umrah. The Prophet's Mosque (Al-Masjid al-Nabawi) is the focal point, where the Prophet Muhammad is buried.

  Atlas entry

• Riyadh

  Known as the 'Dead Center of the Kingdom', Riyadh is Saudi Arabia's most conservative major city with few traditional tourist sights. However, it offers a unique window into the collision between tribal Wahhabi traditions and modern technology.

  Atlas entry

• Ta'if

  Ta’if sits high in the mountains, giving it a cooler summer climate than nearby lowland cities and a strong reputation for rose cultivation. Museums, parks, cable-car viewpoints, and mountain scenery make it a useful Saudi highland retreat.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$73

  Best months

  Mar–Oct

• Wadi al-Dawasir

  Wadi al-Dawasir is a city and governorate in the south of Nejd, Saudi Arabia, described as the gateway to the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter). The city serves as a base for desert expeditions into one of the world's largest sand deserts.

  Atlas entry

• Yanbu

  Yanbu al Bahr offers a quieter Red Sea experience than Jeddah, with diving and snorkeling opportunities along coral reefs, a historic old town with traditional Hejazi architecture, and waterfront promenades. The city attracts visitors seeking industrial heritage tourism mixed with beach relaxation, though it remains largely off the radar for international backpackers compared to Saudi Arabia's other destinations.

  Atlas entry