The wealthy Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and Arabic language, as well as the home of the two holiest cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina where all financially and physically able Muslims should make a pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. KSA is a modern and rich but very religious kingdom where vast empty deserts contradict with large modern cities. Golf, shopping and diving are among popular leisure activities in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Kingdom located in the Middle East, bordering both Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula. Known also as KSA, it is a rich country with the largest petroleum reserves in the world. There are almost six million foreign nationals working in Saudi Arabia. A strict interpretation of Islam is followed in Saudi Arabia and religion affects many parts of the society and daily life there. Prayer calls stop all other activity five times a day and weekends are being celebrated on Thursday and Friday. The holy cities of Mecca and Medina that witness the yearly Hajj pilgrimage are off limits to non-Muslim visitors.
Deserts & coral reefs. The vast sandy deserts of Rub’ al Khali, the empty quarter of Saudi Arabia, offer beautiful scenery that can be appreciated on desert safaris that are particularly popular with the local population. The coastal area on the Red Sea has extensive coral reefs and rich marine life, which makes it a popular place for scuba diving. Beautiful beaches can be found on both coasts. There are also ancient archaeological sites in Saudi Arabia, such as the ruined city of Madain Saleh, but you need to get a permit before visiting them. Camel and horseback riding, tennis and golf courses are available in many Saudi cities. There are amusement parks in most cities in Saudi Arabia, as well as public parks and small zoos.
Traveling to Saudi Arabia can be done by air, road or by sea. With three international airports located in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, flights to Saudi Arabia are available in many cities in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. During the Hajj pilgrimage there are also many charter flights to Saudi Arabia. Visas are required for most foreign visitors. Tourist visas to Saudi Arabia are available for guided tours. There are several international buses to Saudi Arabia from for example Turkey and Egypt. A popular means of getting into Eastern KSA is to fly to Bahrain or Abu Dhabi and take a bus to Saudi Arabia from there. You can also travel to Saudi Arabia with your own car from most of its neighboring countries. There are passenger ferries to Saudi Arabia from Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea.
Local transport. The fastest way to travel within Saudi Arabia is by air. There are frequent domestic flights between the major cities in Saudi Arabia and their prices are reasonable. There are also modern comfortable air-conditioned buses between all major destinations in Saudi Arabia. Bus tickets need to be purchased in advance. Shared taxis are available for intercity travel and a railway connection exists between Riyadh and Dammam.
Saudi Kingdom located in the Middle East, bordering both Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula. Known also as KSA, it is a rich country with the largest petroleum reserves in the world. There are almost six million foreign nationals working in Saudi Arabia. A strict interpretation of Islam is followed in Saudi Arabia and religion affects many parts of the society and daily life there. Prayer calls stop all other activity five times a day and weekends are being celebrated on Thursday and Friday. The holy cities of Mecca and Medina that witness the yearly Hajj pilgrimage are off limits to non-Muslim visitors.
Attractions of Saudi Arabia: modern cities, deserts and coral reefs
Saudi Arabia is a large country with many interesting sights, cities, and natural attractions. While the capital city Riyadh is a modern metropolis with skyscrapers and luxury shopping malls, the port city of Jeddah on the Red Sea coast offers also beaches, historic attractions and great opportunities for diving. The mountain areas in KSA have milder climate than elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, and are popular places to visit during the summer. The towns of Taif and Abha are major summer resorts for the Saudi Arabians themselves. The city of Dhahran on the Persian Gulf coast is a major oil production center, while the famous holy cities of Saudi Arabia, Mecca and Medina attract millions of Muslim pilgrims during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.Deserts & coral reefs. The vast sandy deserts of Rub’ al Khali, the empty quarter of Saudi Arabia, offer beautiful scenery that can be appreciated on desert safaris that are particularly popular with the local population. The coastal area on the Red Sea has extensive coral reefs and rich marine life, which makes it a popular place for scuba diving. Beautiful beaches can be found on both coasts. There are also ancient archaeological sites in Saudi Arabia, such as the ruined city of Madain Saleh, but you need to get a permit before visiting them. Camel and horseback riding, tennis and golf courses are available in many Saudi cities. There are amusement parks in most cities in Saudi Arabia, as well as public parks and small zoos.
Saudi Arabia travel tips and practical information
Saudi Arabia has a harsh, dry desert climate with great temperature extremes. Summers between May and September are very hot especially in inland areas, and extreme high temperatures above 50°C / 122°F have been recorded. Temperatures in KSA are especially hot in July and August. Nights can still be quite chilly, though. In wintertime, inland areas of KSA are surprisingly cold and frost or even snow can occur in mountain areas. Coastal areas stay warm also during the winter. Most of Saudi Arabia receives very little rain, exclusively in wintertime, except in the south where most rainfall occurs during the monsoon season in summer.Traveling to Saudi Arabia can be done by air, road or by sea. With three international airports located in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, flights to Saudi Arabia are available in many cities in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. During the Hajj pilgrimage there are also many charter flights to Saudi Arabia. Visas are required for most foreign visitors. Tourist visas to Saudi Arabia are available for guided tours. There are several international buses to Saudi Arabia from for example Turkey and Egypt. A popular means of getting into Eastern KSA is to fly to Bahrain or Abu Dhabi and take a bus to Saudi Arabia from there. You can also travel to Saudi Arabia with your own car from most of its neighboring countries. There are passenger ferries to Saudi Arabia from Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea.
Local transport. The fastest way to travel within Saudi Arabia is by air. There are frequent domestic flights between the major cities in Saudi Arabia and their prices are reasonable. There are also modern comfortable air-conditioned buses between all major destinations in Saudi Arabia. Bus tickets need to be purchased in advance. Shared taxis are available for intercity travel and a railway connection exists between Riyadh and Dammam.
Photo: *Muhammad*, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Car rental in Saudi Arabia is well available, and the highway network is excellent. However, local driving habits are quite dangerous. Only men are allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. In cities, taxis are the best way to get around.
Services & restrictions. Hotels of all types can be found throughout Saudi Arabia. Furnished rental apartments are offered for short-term lease. Large quality hotels are plentiful in all major cities in KSA, but their prices are quite high. Restaurants can be found in all towns and cities of KSA, and fast food places are also present in most places. Alcohol, dancing, playing music in public, and any kind of mingling with the opposite sex unless married or related are banned in Saudi Arabia. So, if nightlife is what you are looking for, do not come here. The holy cities of Mecca and Medina are closed for non-Muslims, and those visitors with pilgrim visas are prohibited from leaving the area. Public observance of all non-Muslim holidays is also prohibited. English is spoken by many people in Saudi Arabia, and road signs are written also in English.
Safety issues. There have been terrorist attacks against foreigners in Saudi Arabia, and some governments have warned against non-essential travel to the country. Foreigners who register their presence in Saudi Arabia with their embassy or consulate can receive emergency alerts by e-mail or text messages. Mandatory police escorts are provided for visits in some rural areas. Keeping a low profile and avoiding public places where Westerners are known to congregate will help you to stay clear of possible terrorist attacks, but realistically speaking, local traffic is much bigger safety threat in Saudi Arabia. Crime levels are low, although petty crime such as pick-pocketing and theft, and sexual harassment of women do exist.
Visitor regulations. There are strict rules for things you can import into Saudi Arabia; alcoholic beverages, pork, non-Islamic religious material and anything that can be regarded as pornography are prohibited. Costumes covering most parts of the body are mandatory for women. Taking pictures of government buildings, military facilities or local people is not a good idea. Visitors are required to respect local conventions and breaking the law can lead you to serious trouble. However, using common sense is likely to keep you out of any trouble while in Saudi Arabia.
Short history of Saudi Arabia
Some parts of eastern Saudi Arabia were settled already some 4000 years BC. There were several ancient kingdoms, biggest of which was the Nabatean Empire that existed in the first century BC. Most parts of the country remained uninhabited except for a few cities and oases. The religion of Islam was founded in Saudi Arabia by Prophet Muhammad, who also united the tribes of Arabia into an Islamic Arab dynasty. After his death in 632, the Arab Umayyad dynasty conquered North Africa and Spain and expanded also into South Asia. The dynasty was overthrown in 750 AD and was followed by Abbasid dynasty based in Baghdad. After a long period of flourishing, the Arab dynasty declined and Saudi Arabia was incorporated into Turkish Ottoman Empire.The Al-Saud family rose into power in the mid-18th century and adopted a form of Islam called Wahhabism. By 1806, their armies had conquered most of modern Saudi Arabia and a large part of Iraq. Ottoman Empire reconquered Saudi Arabia by the end of the 19th century, but the Al-Sauds managed to retook control of Riyadh and Jeddah, and the independent kingdom of Saudi Arabia was formed in 1932. Oil was found in Saudi Arabia in 1938, which made KSA a rich and influential world power. Today, Saudi Arabia remains the leading producer of oil and natural gas in the world.
