10 Amazing Places to Visit in Saudi Arabia

During a recent interview, the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman announced that the country would start issuing tourist visas so that the dependence of the Saudi economy on oil could be reduced. The announcement is undoubtedly a heartening piece of news for foreign travelers who want to explore the historical perspectives of the kingdom.

The kingdom is known for its dazzling mountains, striking valleys, and the lavish beaches. Since the tourist visas are easily available, millions of people will flock to the kingdom in the upcoming years. If you are also one of the tourists obsessed with the kingdom’s beauty, this guide is for you. Just visit these places through PIA online booking, and you will be overwhelmed by the mysterious attraction of the kingdom.

1. Masjid Al Haram, Mecca

The Masjid Al Haram is not only the biggest mosque in the world but is also the holiest site in Islam. It is a focal point for every Muslim. The mosque covers an area of 356,800 square meters and can accommodate more than a million worshippers. At the center of mosque is the Holy Kaaba around which Muslims can be seen circumambulating day and night.

The Holy Kaaba predates the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) lifetime and was built by the Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismael. The mosque was built in the 7th century when the second Caliph, Omar Bin Al Khattab, expanded the structure to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.

2. Prophet’s Mosque, Medina

The Prophet’s mosque is the second holiest site in Islam after the Al-Haram Mosque. It is home to the various religious spaces and relics, including the Rawdha area which is regarded as one of the gardens of paradise where the prayers are never rejected. There is also a gold-decorated pulpit that dates back to the late 15th century.

The Prophet’s Mosque is rectangular in shape and has a two-tiered structure. The oldest section was built by the Ottomans, and it lies on the south of the mosque. This section has more than 25 domes and a courtyard. The rest of the sections were built during the Al-Saud dynasty. One of the most enthralling areas lies outside the building, which has retractable canopies that act as umbrellas to offer shade.

3. Rock Carvings, Jubbah

This is probably the premier pre-Islamic site of the kingdom that also acts as an art gallery. It covers an area of 19 sq km and features the stunning rock carvings you will ever see. The most attractive carvings date back to 5500 BC when there was an inland lake, and the natives drew animals that came to waters. The sculptures of ibex, camels, and mysterious inscriptions are some of the hallmarks of this place.

The site is located on the northwestern edge of Jubbah and is marked from the center of town. If you are coming from Hail, and you can easily reach the place in an hour. However, never forget to call ahead just to ensure the site is open.

4. Kingdom Center Tower, Riyadh

It is a 41-story tower that showcases an inverted arch covered by a public sky bridge. The bridge is made up of steel and takes the form of an enclosed corridor. A US-based company designed it in a joint program with Riyadh-based engineering firm.

This tower is so popular that you can even see its emoji on Facebook if you say you are “Traveling to Riyadh”. It is the third tallest building in KSA which not only acts as a shopping mall and a residential complex but also houses an observatory which is 992 feet above the ground. It depicts the literal and figurative perspective of the city and provides visitors with an opportunity to explore the traditional diversity of the kingdom. There are also various outlets in the tower that give detailed information about the umrah package.

Must Read: How To Book Cheap Flights With Umrah Packages

5. Lake Park, Yanbu

Even though it is not much of a lake, but this pristine green park is one of the best attractions for a family picnic in Yanbu. It is located in the southern suburbs of the city and has swings, slides, and various kinds of other entertaining equipment. Locals come here for jogging, while the children play here and feed the ducks beneath the bridges. At sunset, white herons along with other birds come here to roost in the trees.

Plus, Yanbu is the only place in KSA where it snows. People who are fed up with the intense heat of the kingdom come here in winters to not only enjoy the snow falling but also to fend off the heat of the scorching sun.

6. Masmak Fortress, Riyadh

Masmak is an Arabic word that means huge, fortified and high. The Masmak Fortress is a mud-brick and clay fort that lies in the center of Riyadh. The building is primarily significant because it helped Ibn Saud to recapture Riyadh in 1902.

The fort was renovated at the beginning of the 1980s, and after that, it became the part of the Historical Center. It has a palm-tree gate which is 2.6 meters wide and 3.6 meters high. The opening door of the fort is called al-Khokha, and only one person can pass through it at one time. Plus, there are also various defensive features in the castle which were mainly erected to protect the land from invaders. Last but not least, there are plenty of antique monuments here that will surely take you to the past age.

7. Habala Village, Asir

The enigmatic “hanging village” in Asir is one of the wonders in Saudi Arabia. The village hosts the sandstone houses cut from the local rock perches on a shelf 400m down a cliff. The village was accessible only by Habal (rope ladder). The Khatani tribe built these houses in the most inaccessible places just to avoid the Ottomans. The tribe lived here on small livestock and hanging gardens up until 1980.

You can access this village in the summer season (May to October) considering that the only way to the village is through cable car that runs only in the summer months. In other months, you can rest in the nearby points and admire this village from afar.

8. Masjid Al-Rahma, Jeddah

Also known as the Floating Mosque, the Masjid Al-Rahma is visited by millions of people every year. It is erected on the coast of the Red Sea and appears to be floating since the structure is built on the pillars. The mosque remains functional throughout the year and is frequently used for prayers.

The mosque is a blend of traditional architecture and modern technology and is also equipped with the imperative amenities, including areas for ablution and prayers. To truly appreciate the splendor of the mosque, you need to take a walk along Corniche Road, especially at sunset and sunrise. If you are lucky enough to witness the mosque during high tide, you will genuinely enjoy the fascinating view as the mosque looks like its floating. The residents of Lahore can go to Jeddah by booking Lahore to Jeddah Airblue ticket.

9. Souq, Taif

The Souq shopping mall is one of the largest in the kingdom. It is a great place to buy local as well as imported products such as handicrafts, rose water, and honey. The mall is set in the beautifully revamped historic center, where little squares with fountains are filled by the chatter of locals.

In the past, Souq was a seasonal market that remained open for two weeks during Dhu al-Qi’dah. The market also used to act as a dispute-resolution center where Arabs of different tribes would meet. After buying all the essential commodities from here, you can grab a mint tea and stand up at one of the squares.

10. Empty Quarter

Rub’ al Khali is the sand desert that encompasses the major chunk of the Arabian Peninsula. The desert includes the parts of Yemen, UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. The terrain of the desert is covered with sand dunes and gypsum plains. Due to the presence of feldspar, the desert has red-colored sand. You can come here on a camel safari or a 4×4 vehicle to truly immerse yourself in the isolated land.

However, it would be prudent if you hire a local guide who could inform you about the most appropriate paths. If you do not hire a guide, then it would be challenging for you to find your way out of sand dunes.

Conclusion

The climate of the kingdom remains stable throughout the year, and so, you can visit the places at any time. If you want to get the tickets to KSA at a low price, then go to faremakers.com and enjoy the hassle-free journey.