Emerging as one of the most coveted travel destinations, Saudi Arabia is full of wonder with a plethora of culture, history and natural beauty to enamour. A land made popular with many folklore and famous stories, this Middle Eastern kingdom doesn’t just have numerous deserts but also has a coastline by the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf coast. Your heart will be filled with the boundless beauty and charm of this magnanimous country, and here are just a sliver of things you can do here.
Discover Al-Ula’s Beauty
This region is known for its spellbinding deserts and a well-preserved ancient city that has the famous rock carvings at Dadan and Jabal Ikmah. It is also home to the Hegra Archaeological Site, which has 131 well-preserved tombs and carvings which is made from sandstone. It dates back to the 1st century and was constructed by the Nabataean civilisation. Many people visit the Elephant Rock to check out a surreal sunset surrounded by desert dunes. You can also visit the old town area, which has many winding lanes of mud brick houses and also savour the delectable local cuisine.
Check Out the World’s Largest Mirror Building
This one feels straight out of a movie set; the Maraya Concert Hall is designed in the middle of the desert in the region of Al-Ula. The Mirror concert hall is just 22 km away from the Al-Hijr Archaeological Site and can be easily visited during the day. A futuristic minimal building sets the tone of amalgamation of modernity and culture as it reflects the sandstone cliffs and large rock formations.
Navigate the Beauty of Jeddah
Jeddah, which is the second largest city in Saudi Arabia, is known for being the gateway to Mecca. It has many historical sites and monuments to visit, including the floating mosque of Al-Rahmah and the tallest fountain in the world, King Fahad’s Fountain. Its beloved area of Corniche is perfect for an evening stroll along the city and has many vibrant beaches like Al Saif, Alexandria and Obhur. Its old town, Al Balad, is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to having a host of stunning mosques, 600 heritage buildings and many souks. Some of the famous buildings are the Al-Nassif House and the Al-Jamjoom House, which are brick buildings distinguished by intricate latticed carvings on the windows.
Step Into the Edge of the World
Have a glimpse at the azure sands and golden rocky desert from the Tuwaik Mountain range, which has many 1,131-metre red cliffs. Beyond this is flat plains, which were previously a sea bed. Since the rugged terrain can be traversed by a 4×4 vehicle, there are many tours available being close to the capital city of Riyadh. The best time is to catch a sunset or sunrise and enjoy the breathtaking horizon, which actually seems like standing on the edge of the world.
Unravel the Al Wahbah Salt Crater
It is the dream of many to visit the outer space and explore the craters of the moon. Though this is a very far-fetched fantasy, you can still make it true by visiting the Al Wahbah Salt Crater, which is straight out of the world. It is 1.2 miles wide, almost 250 metres deep, and is covered with white salt at the bottom. Formed due to volcanic activities that caused a large steam explosion, you can also find many rock formations and vegetation all around this area.
Take a Dip in the Red Sea
Having an envious coastline, there are many activities to do along the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf coast. The colourful marine life teeming with vivid corals makes for a great scuba diving and snorkelling experience. Shipwreck Island is also a wonderful dive site which harbours the wreck of a ship as you swim along with fish, turtles and even sharks.
