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darbiya

Things to do in Saudi Arabia

Historic sites, museums, nature, food and nights out — the places to see and the experiences you can book.

Bookable experiences
24 experiences
Qasr al-Farid in morning lightHeritageAlUla · 3 hours★ 4.9 (2,140)Hegra: the Nabataean tombsWalk among 111 monumental tombs with a local rawi (storyteller), including the lone Tomb of Lihyan son of Kuza.From SAR 295Free cancellationHot-air balloons over the desertAdventureAlUla · 3 hours★ 4.8 (612)Hot-air balloon at sunriseDrift over sandstone outcrops and the Ashar Valley as the sun comes up.From SAR 1,650Free cancellationThe Milky Way over the desertNightAlUla · 2 hours★ 4.9 (1,038)Stargazing at GharameelAn astronomer guides you through some of the darkest skies in Arabia among towering rock formations.From SAR 195Free cancellationClimber on the Harrat cliff edgeAdventureAlUla · 4 hours★ 4.7 (388)Via ferrata at HarratClip in and traverse the edge of a volcanic plateau with a certified guide.From SAR 520Free cancellationLantern-lit lanes of AlUla Old TownFoodAlUla · 3 hours★ 4.8 (870)Old Town heritage walk & dinnerLanes of the 12th-century town at dusk, followed by a dinner of local dishes.From SAR 240Free cancellationChildren brushing sand at a digFamilyAlUla · 2 hours★ 4.9 (204)Kids’ archaeology morningYoung explorers join archaeologists for a hands-on dig and ancient scripts workshop at Dadan.From SAR 150Free cancellationCliffs of the Edge of the WorldAdventureRiyadh · 7 hours★ 4.8 (1,520)Edge of the World sunset hikeDrive across the Tuwaiq plateau and hike to the cliff edge for sunset.From SAR 420Free cancellationKabsa served on a brass platterFoodRiyadh · 3.5 hours★ 4.7 (640)Riyadh food tour: Najdi to new waveFrom jareesh and kabsa in the old quarter to specialty coffee in the new districts.From SAR 310Free cancellationMasmak Fortress gateHeritageRiyadh · 2 hours★ 4.6 (410)Masmak & Deera souq walkThe fort, the old souqs and the story of Riyadh’s founding.From SAR 140Free cancellationAt-Turaif palaces at sunsetHeritageDiriyah · 2 hours★ 4.8 (990)At-Turaif guided heritage tourExplore the UNESCO citadel with a guide, then watch sunset over Wadi Hanifah.From SAR 180Free cancellationAl-Balad alley at nightNightJeddah · 3 hours★ 4.8 (1,275)Al-Balad after darkCoral houses, lantern-lit alleys and the best street food of old Jeddah.From SAR 190Free cancellationRed Sea corals and reef fishAdventureJeddah · 4 hours★ 4.6 (520)Reef snorkel at ObhurA boat trip to shallow reefs full of parrotfish and soft corals.From SAR 280Free cancellationThe Kaaba, Masjid al-HaramSpiritualMakkah · 4 hours★ 4.9 (3,200)Guided Umrah with a certified mutawwifA patient, multilingual guide through each rite of Umrah. Muslims only.From SAR 350Free cancellationQuba Mosque white domesHeritageMadinah · 3 hours★ 4.8 (870)Madinah heritage: Quba to UhudHistoric mosques and battlefields of early Islam with a scholar-guide.From SAR 160Free cancellationDiver beside a hard-coral wallAdventureThe Red Sea · 5 hours★ 4.9 (310)Guided dive on untouched reefsTwo dives on reefs that have barely been dived, with a marine biologist.From SAR 890Free cancellationSeaplane over turquoise shallowsLuxuryThe Red Sea · 2 hours★ 4.9 (96)Seaplane island hopLow-level flight over the archipelago, landing at a private sandbank.From SAR 2,400Free cancellationSandstone canyon in north-west Saudi ArabiaAdventureTabuk · 6 hours★ 4.8 (280)4×4 through Wadi DisahDrive the stream bed between 300 m sandstone walls, with a picnic under the palms.From SAR 460Free cancellationPainted doorway in Rijal AlmaaHeritageAseer · 5 hours★ 4.8 (350)Rijal Almaa & Al-Qatt artThe painted stone village and a hands-on Al-Qatt Al-Asiri workshop.From SAR 260Free cancellationIthra — King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, DhahranMuseumEastern Province · 2.5 hours★ 4.7 (460)Ithra: galleries & libraryA guided visit through Ithra’s museum, library and architecture.From SAR 120Free cancellationCyclist between date palmsNatureAl Ahsa · 3 hours★ 4.8 (190)Oasis cycle & date tastingRide between palm groves and springs, ending with a date-tasting at a family farm.From SAR 150Free cancellationPetroglyph of camels on sandstoneHeritageHail · 5 hours★ 4.9 (120)Jubbah rock art with an archaeologistRead the petroglyphs of Jubbah with a specialist, then tea with a local family.From SAR 340Free cancellationEmpty beach on the Farasan IslandsNatureJazan · 8 hours★ 4.7 (140)Farasan Islands boat dayFerry to Farasan, a boat to uninhabited islets and a fish lunch on the beach.From SAR 380Free cancellationRound stone birka in the desertHeritageRafha · 6 hours★ 4.9 (64)Darb Zubaydah station trailDrive a stretch of the ancient pilgrim road to the stations of Zubala and Al-Jumaima.From SAR 390Free cancellationTaif rose harvestNatureTaif · 3 hours★ 4.8 (330)Rose harvest & distillery morningPick roses at dawn and watch copper stills turn them into Taif rose oil.From SAR 170Free cancellation
Places to visit
90 places
Spiritual · Makkah
Masjid al-Haram
The Grand Mosque surrounding the Kaaba — the direction of prayer for Muslims worldwide.
Open now
Heritage · Makkah
Jabal al-Nour & Hira Cave
The mountain where the first revelation was received. A steep 45-minute climb.
Open now
Museum · Makkah
Hira Cultural District
The Revelation Museum and gardens at the foot of Jabal al-Nour.
Open now
Museum · Makkah
Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques
Rare architectural pieces, doors and calligraphy from the holy mosques.
Open now
Spiritual · Madinah
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi
The Prophet’s Mosque, with its famous shading umbrellas and the Rawdah.
Open now
Spiritual · Madinah
Quba Mosque
The first mosque built in Islam, 4 km south of the Haram.
Open now
Heritage · Madinah
Mount Uhud
Site of the Battle of Uhud, with the Martyrs’ cemetery and a hilltop view.
Open now
Museum · Madinah
Hejaz Railway Museum
The restored 1908 terminus of the Damascus–Madinah railway.
Closed today
Museum · Madinah
Dar Al Madinah Museum
Models and artefacts telling the story of the city.
Open now
Adventure · Taif
Al Hada cable car
A 4 km ride down the escarpment with views to the Makkah plain.
Open now
Nature · Taif
Rose farms of Al Hada
Family farms distilling Taif rose oil during the spring harvest.
Seasonal
Heritage · Taif
Souq Okaz
The revived ancient poetry market and festival grounds.
Seasonal
Museum · Taif
Shubra Palace
A 19th-century palace of carved wood and stone, now a museum.
Open now
Nature · Taif
Al Shafa highlands
Terraced orchards, baboons and cool picnic spots at 2,200 m.
Open now
Heritage · Jeddah
Historic Jeddah (Al-Balad)
UNESCO-listed coral houses with carved rawasheen balconies and busy souqs.
Open now
Outdoors · Jeddah
Jeddah Corniche
A 30 km seafront of promenades, beaches and sculpture parks.
Open now
Landmark · Jeddah
King Fahd’s Fountain
One of the tallest fountains in the world, lit up at night.
Open now
Museum · Jeddah
Tayebat City Museum
A sprawling Hijazi-style museum of Islamic and regional history.
Open now
Beach · Jeddah
Obhur Creek
Beach clubs, snorkelling and dive centres north of the city.
Open now
Beach · KAEC
Bay La Sun beaches
Long, gently shelving beaches ideal for families.
Open now
Sport · KAEC
Royal Greens Golf & Country Club
An 18-hole championship course on the Red Sea.
Open now
Adventure · KAEC
KAEC kitesurf lagoon
Steady afternoon winds and shallow, flat water.
Seasonal
Beach · Yanbu
Sharm Yanbu
A sheltered lagoon for swimming, kayaking and snorkelling.
Open now
Heritage · Yanbu
Historic Yanbu Al-Bahr
Coral-stone houses and the old port where Lawrence once stayed.
Open now
Seasonal · Yanbu
Yanbu Flower Festival
Millions of blooms laid out in a waterfront park each spring.
Seasonal
Dive site · Yanbu
Seven Sisters reefs
A chain of offshore coral pinnacles for experienced divers.
Open now
Heritage · AlUla
Hegra
Over 110 monumental Nabataean tombs carved into sandstone — Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO site.
Open now
Nature · AlUla
Elephant Rock
A 52 m sandstone arch shaped like an elephant. Best at sunset, with a lounge at its feet.
Open now
Heritage · AlUla
AlUla Old Town
Mud-brick lanes of a 12th-century town, now home to cafés and craft studios.
Open now
Landmark · AlUla
Maraya
The world’s largest mirrored building, reflecting the Ashar Valley.
Seasonal
Heritage · AlUla
Dadan
Capital of the ancient Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms, with lion tombs cut into the cliff.
Open now
Heritage · AlUla
Jabal Ikmah
An open-air library of ancient inscriptions in a quiet canyon.
Open now
Nature · AlUla
Harrat Viewpoint
A volcanic plateau with a sweeping view over the valley.
Open now
Nature · AlUla
Sharaan Nature Reserve
Protected canyons being rewilded for the Arabian leopard.
Closed today
Heritage · Riyadh
Masmak Fortress
The mud-brick fort where the modern Saudi story began in 1902.
Open now
Museum · Riyadh
National Museum
Eight galleries tracing Arabia from its geology to unification.
Open now
Landmark · Riyadh
Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge
A glass bridge 300 m up with a 360° view of the city.
Open now
Night · Riyadh
Boulevard City
Riyadh Season’s entertainment district of shows, dining and lights.
Seasonal
Nature · Riyadh
Edge of the World
Sheer Tuwaiq escarpment cliffs dropping to an ancient seabed, 90 km out.
Open now
Modern · Riyadh
KAFD
The financial district’s towers, parks and design-led cafés.
Open now
Heritage · Diriyah
At-Turaif District
UNESCO-listed citadel of the first Saudi state, with galleries inside the palaces.
Open now
Food · Diriyah
Bujairi Terrace
A dining terrace of Saudi and international restaurants facing At-Turaif.
Open now
Nature · Diriyah
Wadi Hanifah
A green valley of palm groves, trails and picnic spots.
Open now
Museum · Diriyah
Salwa Palace
The largest palace of At-Turaif, now the Diriyah Museum.
Open now
Nature · Tabuk
Wadi Disah
A palm-filled canyon between towering sandstone walls, with a stream.
Open now
Desert · Tabuk
Hisma Desert
Red-sand plains dotted with sandstone towers and rock art.
Open now
Heritage · Tabuk
Tabuk Castle
A restored Ottoman fort on the old pilgrim route.
Open now
Museum · Tabuk
Hejaz Railway Station
Restored station buildings and locomotives of the 1908 line.
Open now
Beach · Tabuk
Maqna coast
Palm oases meeting the Gulf of Aqaba at Moses’ Springs.
Open now
Heritage · Al Baha
Dhee Ain Heritage Village
A 400-year-old village of stone houses on a white marble outcrop.
Open now
Nature · Al Baha
Raghadan Forest Park
Juniper forest walks and viewpoints on the escarpment edge.
Open now
Nature · Al Baha
Shada Al-A’la reserve
Granite peaks with terraced coffee and wild herbs.
Open now
Heritage · Aseer
Rijal Almaa
A tiered stone village with a museum of Asiri life.
Open now
Nature · Aseer
Al Soudah
Juniper-clad peaks near Jabal Sawda, the Kingdom’s highest point, with a cable car.
Open now
Adventure · Aseer
Habala
A cliff village once reached only by rope, now by cable car.
Closed today
Culture · Aseer
Al Muftaha Art Village
Studios, galleries and a theatre in the heart of Abha.
Open now
Beach · The Red Sea
Ummahat Islands
Twin islands with white sand, lagoons and overwater villas.
Open now
Dive site · The Red Sea
House reefs
Pristine coral gardens a short swim from shore.
Open now
Desert · The Red Sea
Southern Dunes
Golden dunes and sandstone outcrops inland from the coast.
Open now
Nature · The Red Sea
Al Wajh lagoon
A vast shallow lagoon of mangroves and seagrass.
Open now
Museum · Eastern Province
Ithra
King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture — museum, library and theatre.
Open now
Outdoors · Eastern Province
Khobar Corniche
A waterfront promenade with the Khobar water tower.
Open now
Beach · Eastern Province
Half Moon Bay
A crescent of shallow, calm water south of Khobar.
Open now
Beach · Eastern Province
Fanateer Beach
Jubail’s long corniche beach and parks.
Open now
Nature · Al Ahsa
Al-Ahsa Oasis
Palm groves, springs and canals of a UNESCO cultural landscape.
Open now
Nature · Al Ahsa
Jabal Al Qarah
Limestone caves that stay cool even in summer.
Open now
Shopping · Al Ahsa
Al Qaisariya Souq
One of Arabia’s oldest covered markets — bisht cloaks, spices and dates.
Open now
Heritage · Al Ahsa
Ibrahim Palace
An Ottoman-era fortress with a domed mosque.
Open now
Shopping · Qassim
Buraidah Date City
Morning auctions during one of the world’s largest date festivals.
Seasonal
Heritage · Qassim
Unaizah Old Town
Restored Najdi houses and the Al-Musawkaf souq.
Open now
Museum · Qassim
Al Bassam Heritage House
A family house turned museum of Najdi domestic life.
Open now
Heritage · Hail
Jubbah Rock Art
Thousands of petroglyphs of people and animals — a UNESCO site.
Open now
Heritage · Hail
A’arif Fort
A hilltop mud-brick fort overlooking the old city.
Open now
Museum · Hail
Qishlah Palace
A two-storey mud palace built in the 1940s.
Open now
Desert · Hail
Great Nafud
Towering red dunes for camping and 4×4 drives.
Seasonal
Beach · Jazan
Farasan Islands
A marine reserve of coral islands, gazelles and empty beaches.
Open now
Nature · Jazan
Fifa Mountains
Terraced peaks with homestays and misty viewpoints.
Open now
Food · Jazan
Khawlani coffee farms
A UNESCO-listed coffee tradition — pick, roast and taste.
Seasonal
Heritage · Jazan
Jazan Heritage Village
Traditional huts, crafts and food of the Tihama coast.
Open now
Heritage · Najran
Al-Ukhdood
Ruins of a 2,000-year-old city on the incense road.
Open now
Heritage · Najran
Emara Palace
A mud-brick fort of 60 rooms with a well-preserved interior.
Open now
Shopping · Najran
Najran souq
Silver jewellery, daggers and woven baskets.
Open now
Heritage · Sakaka
Za’abal Castle
A hilltop fort with ancient wells carved into rock below.
Open now
Heritage · Sakaka
Al-Rajajil Columns
Around 50 groups of standing stones from the 4th millennium BC.
Open now
Heritage · Sakaka
Dumat al-Jandal
Omar Mosque, Marid Castle and a stone-built old quarter.
Open now
Food · Sakaka
Al Jouf olive farms
Groves, presses and a winter olive festival.
Seasonal
Heritage · Rafha
Zubala waystation
An Abbasid pilgrim station with a great round birka cistern.
Open now
Heritage · Rafha
Al-Jumaima pools
Stone-lined cisterns that once watered caravans.
Open now
Heritage · Rafha
Lina village
Ancient wells cut into rock and a restored mud-brick town.
Open now
Desert · Rafha
Desert rawdah camps
Spring meadows of wildflowers after the winter rains.
Seasonal