Tourism in Saudi Arabia may not have been a thing in the past, but things are changing rapidly as the country aims to welcome a stream of tourists over the coming years. With entire archaeological cities, many UNESCO World Heritage sites and a culture unlike any you’ve seen before, Saudi Arabia is well equipped to provide its visitors with an enchanting and memorable experience.
As the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah are visited frequently by those performing Umrah or Hajj, we have listed four places other than these two cities.
Al Ula
Unexplored and untouched by the presence of tourists, being in Al Ula will surely make you feel like an intrepid traveller! Located four hours from the holy city of Madinah, Al Ula is home to mud-brick and stone houses dating back 2000 years! Those who do visit Al Ula should make it a point to visit the legendary Al Ula Heritage Village which is where you can get up, close and personal with some of the oldest structures in the world!
Madain Saleh
We have a feeling that this one will start getting more attention over the years! If you like the famous archaeological site of Petra in Jordan, you’re sure to fall in love with this one! In the same way that Petra is a Nabatean city, so is Madain Saleh! With its impressive and imposing architectural structures, Madain Saleh fast became the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia!
Masmak Fort
Historical sites may not be the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Riyadh. But beyond the hustle and bustle of the city, lies a fortress that was constructed in 1865 by King Abdullah III bin Faisal al-Saud. The Masmak Fortress was initially constructed to protect the city from attacks but today it stands as a museum. Those heading to the capital of Saudi Arabia should definitely not give this one a miss!
Jubbah Ha’il
Located in the Nafud Desert near the small town of Jubbah, the archaeological site of Jubbah Paleolithic Kingdom is regarded as the country’s most historical site. What’s more, due to its magnificent and impressive rock inscriptions, Jubbah Paleolithic Kingdom has emerged to become the largest archaeological site in the country. With inscriptions dating back to the Mesolithic period, millions of tourists flock to the middle of the desert to marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Main Image – Elephant Rock, Al Ula [Tomasz Trześniowski, Flickr]
