From magnificent coral reefs and arid rock formations to ancient sites like Mada'In Saleh and old Jeddah, the Middle East is a treasure mine of discoveries. Although there are many tourist attractions in Saudi Arabia and Arab marvels, World Travel Magazine has chosen the 10 most wonderful experiences to have in Saudi Arabia.
What are the Top 10 Amazing Things to Do in Saudi Arabia?
1. The Tomb of Eve in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
A cemetery regarded as the burial location of the first woman, Eve, is located in the old city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia's second-largest city. This mausoleum is so famous that the city where it is located is named after the lady who is buried there. Eve is usually regarded as humanity's grandmother, and the Arabic word for Grandmother is Jeddah.Since roughly the 12th century, when Ibn Jubayr noted it in his travelogues, the tomb has been the subject of stories. The Eve Tomb is, without a doubt, one of the most well-known sites in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, Prince Faisal, Viceroy of Hejaz, demolished a portion of the cemetery in 1928.
Because the prince did not wish to encourage idolatry, religious officials covered it with concrete in 1975. Nonetheless, before it was ignored to avoid idolatry, the tomb was around 130m long, three meters broad, and six meters high. The tomb is also mentioned in the original versions of A Thousand Nights and A Night.
Eve's grave, which is now situated in one of the oldest cemeteries in Jeddah's Al Balad neighborhood, is unquestionably one of the top ten things to see while visiting Saudi Arabia.
2. Thee (Zee) Ain Ancient Village in Saudi Arabia's Bidah Valley
This old settlement in Western Saudi Arabia's Bidah Valley is nothing short of an antique paradise. Since the community was founded in the eighth century CE, the polished stone homes flanked by mountains on three sides have remained mostly unchanged.It was the site of several tribal battles until King Abdul Aziz united the Kingdom, making it one of the few UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this list. This ancient town, named after a local mountain spring, is one of the greatest tourist destinations in Saudi Arabia.
The Zee Ain hamlet, known for its crops such as bananas, Kadi, basil, lemon, and palm, consists of 49 buildings based on the Medamik wall system. Nine of the 49 residences have just one level, 19 have two floors, 11 have three floors, and ten have four.
Sider wood is used to roof each building. Zee Ain is 24 kilometers from Al-Baha. Visit Zee Ain's historic village to see an excellent example of a traditional building that is environmentally friendly. The Ain Village is one of the most beautiful sites in Saudi Arabia.
3. Qasim, Saudi Arabia Dune Bashing
If a dune-bashing safari isn't on your list of Arabian activities, you should make one. Dune Bashing is an exciting adventure over the region's vast desert dunes.This is your opportunity to go behind the wheel of a 4x4 and mix off-road mud and hill driving with a course guide. So take a seat and enjoy your superb (sandy) journey! It is without a doubt one of the most exciting desert activities.
A winter dunes bashing excursion combines 4x4 activity with a little camping to embrace Kashta culture. Go camel riding first, then sleep in the dunes beneath the warm glow of the winter stars. Then, with a cup of Arabic coffee, try sandboarding and dune bashing!
Finally, end the evening with a magnificent firelit evening over a campfire, complete with traditional food and beverages. If you like, you may even go to one of the desert oases.
4. Saudi Arabia's Al Wahbah Salt Crater
Did seeing Netflix's 'Silent Sea' make you want to go to the moon? Was '2001: A Space Odyssey your go-to movie when you needed some solace? If you want to go on a space journey without leaving Earth, the Al Wahbah crater is the place to go. Because of its lunar similarity, the crater is on the list of renowned sites in Saudi Arabia.Al Wahbah is a volcanic salt crater around 250 kilometers from Ta'if that is 780 meters deep and 6.9 kilometers in circumference. Al Wahbah is a maar crater caused by subsurface volcanic activity (imagine magma colliding with subterranean water, resulting in a massive steam explosion) and is coated in white Sodium phosphate crystals at the bottom.
The local folklore around its construction is legendary. Tamia and Cotton were the two mountains that existed before the crater. Tamia fell in love with Cotton when she was lighted by a lightning bolt one night. She promised to uproot herself in pursuit of her love, but her cousin Shelman shot her with an arrow before she could. The crater was made where she fell.
Coming down to this location should take approximately an hour, but climbing back up may take a little longer. Pack for a picnic in any case. There are several picnic areas around the rim where you may relax with your loved ones and take in the lunar scenery!
5. The World's End - Jebel Fihrayn, Saudi Arabia
Consider the moment in 'Pride and Prejudice' when Lizzie Bennet stands on the ledge, pondering her life. The 'Edge of the World' is the Saudi equivalent of your thoughts with a view of beautiful golden desert dunes.This geological marvel is situated northwest of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital city, and is surrounded by a rocky desert. This place gets its name from the view from the edge. Standing atop the cliff provides an unobstructed view of the horizon. Visiting the 'Edge of the World,' one of Saudi Arabia's major attractions, is undoubtedly at the top of Riyadh's list of things to do.
You could even create a game out of it, and locate the many dry river beds and fossils while making your way to the 'window'. Climb down onto the lower plateau to go closer to the horizon, and then into the lengthier Tuwaiq Escarpment, which dips 1,000 feet into an old ocean bed.
Of course, SUVs and cautious driving are required to reach Jebel Fihrayn. Lifetime reflections will come to you spontaneously after you've reached the end of the globe.
6. Saudi Arabia, Mada'In Saleh - Al Hijr
Mada'In Saleh, a city of ancient tombs cut into Sandstone, is located near Al Ula in the Medina Province. Mada'In Saleh was traditionally known as a Hegra by the Nabataean People, who created these graves, which are a joy for archaeologists.The group was founded by pastoral nomads who practiced oasis architecture and are said to have originated in the Hejaz area of northwest Saudi Arabia. Mada'In Saleh, the second UNESCO World Heritage Site on our list, comprises 131 magnificent rock-cut tombs - priceless relics from a bygone era.
Petra's lesser-known cousin comprises tombs with exquisitely carved facades in identical styles. The graves are also strewn with inscriptions that provide access to the current understanding of Hegra. These quiet historical treasures, as well as Al Ula, help Saudi Arabia establish itself as a significant tourist destination for history aficionados.
Finally, Qasr al-Farid is a single incomplete tomb that represents Mada'In Saleh. The city is renowned as 'The Capital of Monuments,' and its great historical significance earns it a place on Saudi Arabia's list of prominent sites.
7. Red Sea Outdoor Activities in Saudi Arabia
Only in 2019 did the Saudi government entirely open its doors to international visitors. As a result, the Saudi shoreline along the Red Sea and Persian Gulf coast is mostly unknown to the worldwide tourism community and, as such, provides a diverse range of activities and new marine parks to discover.You might perhaps lease a boat from the Red Sea Marina. Go snorkeling or scuba diving, or take a weekend sunset sail to the center of the sea. The whole Red Sea is effectively your oyster. You may even go beachfront camping (with coastguard approval, of course) or kitesurf on Jeddah beaches.
The Red Sea deep-sea diving adventures, however, take the top rank on this list. Visit Saudi Arabia's underwater landmarks. The first stop is at Abu Galawa to see the undiscovered Galawa reefs. Schools of Barracuda may be seen here, as well as the occasional encounter with hammerhead or tiger sharks.
Then, between two reefs, see the largest shipwreck in the Jeddah region. The Ann Ann sunk in 1977 and currently resides in perfect peace with nature, with blue-spotted stingrays living in her rudder. The Cable Wreck, which is the wreck of the Staphonos from 1978, is another shipwreck to explore. The guitarfish may be seen at this shipwreck.
8. Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival
Falconry is the use of trained birds of prey to hunt wild animals. It is a popular sport in several Middle Eastern nations, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.The Saudi Falcons Club hosts an annual international event called the King Abdulaziz Festival of Falconry. The event will include falcon owners from the Kingdome and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
It is included in our list of things to do in Saudi Arabia because of its cultural and international importance. This is the biggest falconry festival in the world, intended to promote and preserve Saudi Arabia's unique cultural heritage.
Falcons were formerly captured and taught by nomads to aid in hunting and feeding their families. After the season, they were released back into the wild. This celebration has broken several world records and is a must-see for everyone visiting the Kingdom during the winter. You can see the actual spirit and culture of Saudi Arabia here.
9. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Al Balad
Al Balad is the heart of Jeddah's historic district. Because of its existence from the 7th century, the whole area of the ancient town is a UNESCO world historic site. Al Balad is a living monument to Jeddah's past, with stunning mosques and traditional and historical buildings.There are many districts in the city. The Al-Nassif House and the Al-Jamjoom House are two of the city's most well-known and oldest structures. This walk down memory lane takes you to one of Saudi Arabia's oldest and most beautiful sites.
The ancient city has 600 historical structures that are approximately 500 years old, as well as more than 30 mosques and five souks (traditional commercial complexes). Allow yourself to be immersed in this beautiful and colorful trip as you go through the small alleyways, multi-story mud-brick dwellings, and stone structures.
You may, for example, begin at the village majlis at the replica of the Jeddah gate, then go to the Saidi bakery, which locals swear by for fresh bread. Then, go to the pilgrimage path to see the cylindrical rowshan, and then take a diversion to the Baeshen House to witness the characteristic coral stone and timber Al Balad architecture.
10. Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, Judah Thumb and Yellow Lake
The Devil's Thumb, also known as the Judah Thumb, is a magnificent rock structure that stands alone in the Arabian Desert's An Nafud area. It is roughly 160 kilometers from Dhahran and near to Judah (the town). In the vast desert, the rock stands out like a sore thumb.The drive is readily completed with an SUV, and around the thumb are many escapements where you may be stunned by rock formations and caverns. Perhaps you could camp out at night if you prefer desert camps and the beautiful night sky.
The Yellow Lake, situated on the outskirts of Al Ahsa city, is a significant wetland small lake generated by runoff from the region's 22,000 farms. Despite being supplied by runoff, the lake is a historical site recognized for its fauna, including numerous plant types and migratory bird visits twice a year.
Rent an SUV and drive down to the lake for a lunch with free time to explore the hills that overlook the lake!
Saudi Arabia should be at the top of your list if you are seeking for an exceptional foreign vacation location that still provides lots of discoveries and fresh experiences. Saudi Arabia has been closed to tourists for far too long, despite having a variety of historic and contemporary attractions to discover, so there are plenty of surprises in store for visitors.
