The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East, and fourth most populous in the MENA region with its 2020 population estimated at approximately 35 million people.
80 % of Saudis live in ten major urban centers – Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Medina, Hofuf, Taif, Khobar, Yanbu, Dhahran, Dammam. The country is also home to a large community of expatriate residents, including those from Western markets, India and Asia who live in the cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, Yanbu and Dhahran.
Saudi Theme
Destination information
Al Ahsa
A trip out to Al Ahsa’s undulating sands offers a chance to climb the popular Al Qarah Mountain and explore the rock-hewn caves that weave through it, or just to gaze over the oasis from its
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Al Baha
A journey to Al Baha is a journey to a different Saudi Arabia. In a kingdom that’s often characterized by ochre desert, this high-altitude city is a place of ancient towers, lush forests
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Al jouf
Al Jouf is the Kingdom’s crossroad of ancient civilizations, with its spectacular natural landscapes, rich fertile lands, and desert climate. Located at the northernmost region of the
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Alula
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has long been a crossroads of ancient civilizations — a place of deep history that is continuously evolving.
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Asir
Known for its mountainous environment and breath-taking views, the highland of Asir is the southern endpoint of the Red Sea coast and a treasure trove for adventurous souls looking for
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Dammam
Boasting endless views of a tranquil Arabian Gulf, Dammam is a modern metropolis that thrives on its coastal location. Along with nearby Al Khobar and Dhahran, these ‘triplet cities’ are tailored to a
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Diriyah
Diriyah is the birthplace of the Kingdom and a symbol of the beauty, generosity and resilience of the Saudi nation and its people. The source of hundreds of stories, Diriyah is a vibrant destination
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Hail
Nestled between Mount Shammer to the north and Mount Salma to the south, the city of Hail was once the capital of all the Arabian Desert and home to legends like Hatim Al Tai, the Arabian poet
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Jeddah
Jeddah’s unofficial motto is Jeddah ghair, or ‘Jeddah’s different’. No Saudi city has been more open to outside influences over the years than this ancient port, whether traders, international
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Makkah
For many Muslims around the world, an opportunity to visit Makkah is the ultimate blessing. This is the holiest city in Islam: the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the city where the
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Medina
Medina is Islam’s second holiest city, making it a key destination for millions of pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj or Umrah. The city is centered around Al Masjid an Nabawi, also known as the
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Red Sea
The Red Sea coast is a stretch of richly varied cultures: from the port city of Jeddah to the fertile mountains of Taif, via the turquoise-fringed coast around Yanbu.
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Riyadh
Riyadh is at first glance a modern metropolis, its highways hives of activity amongst urban highrises. But delve beneath its shiny new façade and the city’s fascinating centuries-old history can
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Tabuk
The northwestern city of Tabuk has long been a resting point of for Jordanian and Egyptian pilgrims with a rich Bedouin culture that can be felt in Souq Twaheen, which still supplies
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Taif
Just reaching Taif is a thrill. From the hollow of Makkah, a beautiful serpentine road winds up through the mountains to the plateau where Taif sits, passing fruit markets, rose farms and deep
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Saudi: Tourism information
and statistics
Visa logistics
The Saudi e-Visa process, launched in September 2019, is %100 digital. The e-Visa is a multiple-entry visa valid for a year, allowing tourists to stay for up to 90 days per visit, and up to 180 days per year.
Tourists from eligible countries can apply for a tourist visa online through the fast and easy-to-use e-Visa portal (https://visa.visitsaudi.com) ahead of their trip, or upon arrival in Saudi Arabia through visa kiosks at immigration.
Tourists from other countries should apply for a consulate visa through Saudi embassies and consulates abroad.
Visitors from any country can gain a tourism visa-on-arrival if they have an activated and valid US, UK or Schengen visa and are travelling with a Saudi national airline (Saudia, Flynas or Flydeal). Tourism visas cost SAR 440 plus VAT and are inclusive of mandatory health insurance.
Visa numbers
First six months after the e-Visa was launched,
+ 400,000 visas were issued
By 2022, Saudi Arabia is targeting
62M annual visits
By 2030, Saudi Arabia expects to host
100M annual visits
from both the domestic and international market.
Saudi Q&A
Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage and traditions have been shaped by its position as a
historic trade
hub and the birthplace of Islam. In recent years, the Kingdom has undergone a
significant cultural
transformation, adapting centuries-old customs to fit the contemporary world. For
example, while
modest dress is still encouraged for both men and women — tourists are advised to
avoid tightfitting
clothing, and women must cover their shoulders and knees — female visitors no longer
need
to wear an abaya and hijab (robe and head covering). Unmarried guests to the country
may now stay
together in hotels, and female tourists (as well as locals) may also drive.
Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia and the first language of all native
Saudi people. It is
the primary language used in all public transactions and is a language spoken by
Muslims all over the
world. However, English, which is a compulsory second language in schools, is widely
spoken in the
Kingdom. And most road signs are bilingual, showing information in both Arabic and
English.
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not always hot in Saudi Arabia. The kingdom
experiences four distinct
seasons —from chilly winter breezes in January to peak desert heat in August —and a
climate that
varies between regions. Read on for a seasonal overview of the kingdom’s weather.
Mid-March to Mid-June
Spring in Saudi Arabia can be brisk, particularly in the north, where the temperature at night can drop below 15 degrees C. The central and southern regions are warmer, averaging around 20 degrees after nightfall. Rainfall is at its highest during spring, particularly in the central region and in the southwest over the Asir Mountains.
Spring in Saudi Arabia can be brisk, particularly in the north, where the temperature at night can drop below 15 degrees C. The central and southern regions are warmer, averaging around 20 degrees after nightfall. Rainfall is at its highest during spring, particularly in the central region and in the southwest over the Asir Mountains.
Mid-June to Mid-September
With the exception of the comparatively mild highlands in the southwest, summer signals the start of rising temperatures across most of the country, with the average hovering around 45 degrees C. The early mornings and long evenings are more temperate, so take advantage of the warm seas to explore Saudi’s world-class scuba diving sites, or try sailing and snorkeling.
With the exception of the comparatively mild highlands in the southwest, summer signals the start of rising temperatures across most of the country, with the average hovering around 45 degrees C. The early mornings and long evenings are more temperate, so take advantage of the warm seas to explore Saudi’s world-class scuba diving sites, or try sailing and snorkeling.
Mid-September to Mid-December
Autumn brings gentler weather and cool breezes in both Saudi Arabia’s northern regions and the southwestern highlands. While daytime temperatures remain warm and can reach the 30s in early fall, evenings are milder and fit for outdoor strolling, especially along Jeddah’s waterfront, indulging in alfresco dining or visiting Al Ahsa’s cool desert springs.
Autumn brings gentler weather and cool breezes in both Saudi Arabia’s northern regions and the southwestern highlands. While daytime temperatures remain warm and can reach the 30s in early fall, evenings are milder and fit for outdoor strolling, especially along Jeddah’s waterfront, indulging in alfresco dining or visiting Al Ahsa’s cool desert springs.
Mid-December to Mid-March
Take advantage of Saudi Arabia’s beautiful winter weather to explore the kingdom. The balmy days and cool nights are ideal for camping, rock climbing or exploring Saudi Arabia’s verdant highlands and bustling cities, from Riyadh to Jeddah. Average winter temperatures are in the teens, but visitors might be lucky enough to see snowfall in the mountains of the northern regions blanketing the slopes and desert sands.
Take advantage of Saudi Arabia’s beautiful winter weather to explore the kingdom. The balmy days and cool nights are ideal for camping, rock climbing or exploring Saudi Arabia’s verdant highlands and bustling cities, from Riyadh to Jeddah. Average winter temperatures are in the teens, but visitors might be lucky enough to see snowfall in the mountains of the northern regions blanketing the slopes and desert sands.
Currency exchange and transactions are easy in Saudi Arabia. And even if you don’t
yet know the
difference between a riyal and a halala, there’s no need to worry: Many businesses
in the kingdom
accept credit cards and contactless payments. Use this guide to learn the ins and
outs of Saudi
currency and exchange rates so you can get back to scuba diving, sightseeing and
shopping instead.
Saudi Arabia’s national currency is the Saudi riyal SAR), which is subdivided into
100 halala. You’ll ر.س)
receive notes in denominations of 100 ,50 ,10 ,5 ,1 and 500 riyals, and coins in
denominations of 1 or 2
riyals and 25 ,10 ,5 ,1 and 50 halala.
The U.S. dollar is equivalent to SAR3.75 (fixed rate). All banks in the kingdom
offer currency
exchange services. You can also find exchange bureaus at airports, some shopping
centers and other
locations throughout the country. Banking hours are generally from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. Saturday
to Thursday. (Exchange bureaus are often open later, although they may charge higher
commission
fees.) Banks are usually open at international airports and currency transactions
are at a lower rate
than specialist currency exchanges. ATMs are widely available for the withdrawal of
funds using the
Visa and Mastercard networks, and credit cards including Visa, Mastercard and
American Express are
accepted throughout the kingdom. Many businesses also accept digital payment
methods, such as
Apple Pay.
Cultural heritage and religion inform the public etiquette that’s expected and
practiced in Saudi
Arabia. If you’re not familiar with Saudi Arabia’s laws and customs, don’t worry:
Behind these
conventions are values that people across many cultures are accustomed to, including
respect for
others, decorum in public and protection of privacy. Before your trip, learn more
about how to act
and dress in Saudi Arabia, as well as the role of religion and rules about alcohol
and other substances.
In public, both men and women are asked to dress modestly, avoiding tight-fitting
clothes and items
with profane language or images. Women should cover their shoulders and knees in
public. (Consider
packing blouses with sleeves, scarves or shawls for your shoulders and mid- to
maxi-length skirts and
dresses, capris or pants to cover your knees.)
Public displays of affection are not consistent with the local culture. Visitors
should also avoid using
profane language or gestures.
During prayer time in Saudi Arabia, five times a day, music is turned off in public
places and many
shops close briefly. For one month a year, during Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to
dusk. If you
visit during Ramadan, the most sacred month of the year in Islam, avoid eating,
drinking or smoking
in public during the day out of respect. Learn more about how to participate in
Ramadan, whether
you’re visiting Jeddah or Riyadh.
The sale, purchase and consumption of alcohol are illegal in Saudi Arabia. It is
also illegal to bring
alcohol or drugs into the country, so plan to unwind with coffee or tea at one of
the country›s many
cafés instead.