AlUla old town, Saudi ArabiaPhoto: Pteropus conspicillatus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, made simple: ancient tombs, coral seas and a capital reinventing itself
Saudi Arabia opened to tourists only in 2019, and it still surprises almost everyone who goes: the carved Nabataean tombs of Hegra near AlUla, the coral houses of old Jeddah, the mud brick palaces of Diriyah, the cool green mountains of Asir and a Red Sea that divers rave about. This guide explains the rest so you arrive confident.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyThe eVisa, seasons, dress codes, Ramadan and money, answered
- LandingRiyadh and Jeddah airports, ride hailing, SIM cards and the metro, explained
- Your days in Saudi ArabiaHeritage sites, deserts, mountains and the Red Sea, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips, domestic flights and what to bring back
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain money, transport, tours and costs so nothing catches you off guard.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Saudi Arabia should feel like discovery, not worry. We answer the questions about visas, dress, alcohol, heat, prayer times, money and getting around before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Curious about a country that was closed to tourism for decades, combining Umrah with sightseeing, visiting family who work in Riyadh or Jeddah, or chasing winter sun and desert festivals? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your Saudi ArabiaThe capital and Diriyah, historic Jeddah and the Red Sea, the desert canyons of AlUla, the mountains of Abha or the Gulf coast: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsThe eVisa, travel advice, money and local customs, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for food, heritage sites, desert trips, markets and stays.
- Plan your routeDistances are huge, so use the free trip planner to link cities with domestic flights and trains.
Everything your Saudi trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, Abha and the Eastern Province, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred restaurants, cafés, heritage sites, souqs and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam and stays across the kingdom.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Food, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Saudi trip
Capital, coast and canyon country
Most first trips combine Riyadh and the restored mud brick town of Diriyah, a flight to AlUla for Hegra and the sandstone canyons, and a few days in Jeddah for the coral houses of Al Balad and the Red Sea. Add Abha for mountain air or the Edge of the World for a dramatic desert day. Eight to ten days covers the highlights.
- At-Turaif in Diriyah and the souqs of Riyadh
- Hegra's tombs and Elephant Rock in AlUla
- Historic Al Balad and the Corniche in Jeddah
- A sunset at the Edge of the World escarpment
Plan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Saudi Arabia is vast, so a little planning goes a long way: picking the cooler months, flying between regions, timing visits around prayer times and Ramadan, and booking AlUla tours ahead. Our free planner helps you shape it.
- Realistic travel times across a huge country
- Ramadan, Eid and season festivals to plan around
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Saudi Arabia
From the capital Riyadh and historic Jeddah to the desert canyons of AlUla, the green highlands around Abha and the Gulf coast of Al Khobar and Dammam.
Riyadh Province
Riyadh
Mud brick palaces, a buzzing season of events and a desert cliff edge just beyond the city.
Read the guidePhoto: B.alotaby, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Makkah Province
Jeddah
Coral stone houses, a seafront that never sleeps and the gateway to the Red Sea and Makkah.
Read the guidePhoto: Joseph Azrak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Madinah Province
AlUla
Carved tombs, mud brick lanes and sandstone canyons that glow red at sunset.
Read the guidePhoto: Saudi Press Agency (SPA), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Asir Province
Abha and Asir
Misty peaks, painted villages and cool summer air at the top of the kingdom.
Read the guidePhoto: Richard Mortel, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Eastern Province
Al Khobar and the Eastern Province
A breezy corniche, a landmark cultural centre and a vast palm oasis on UNESCO's list.
Read the guidePhoto: Francisco Anzola, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is Saudi Arabia safe to visit?
Crime against visitors is low and most trips pass without trouble. Governments advise against travel near the Yemen border, and laws on dress, behaviour and drugs are strict, so read your government's current travel advice before you go.
What is the capital of Saudi Arabia?
Riyadh, in the centre of the country. King Khalid International Airport serves the city, and the new Riyadh Metro links many districts.
Do I need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
Almost certainly, but many nationalities can get a tourist eVisa online or a visa on arrival. Rules depend on your passport, so check the official Saudi visa platform before you book.
Can women travel alone in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Since 2019 women can travel, stay in hotels and visit sites alone. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered; a headscarf is not required for foreign women outside mosques.
Can non-Muslims visit Makkah?
No. Non-Muslims may not enter Makkah, and parts of Madinah around the Prophet's Mosque are for Muslims only. Muslims can perform Umrah on a tourist visa.
Can BlissPoint Travel book my trip?
We are a free travel guide, not a tour operator. Use our trip planner to shape your route, and our partner links to compare flights and stays.
Ready to find your Bliss in Saudi Arabia?
Use the free trip planner to shape your days, or send us a question through the contact page.