Because of the assumption that it holds an unwelcoming attitude towards tourists, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been a point of contention for every traveller – whether from the Middle East or Europe. But beneath its frigid façade lies an Arabian country rich in history, culture – and of course oil.
Most travellers who book flights to Saudi Arabia do so for a very specific reason: to visit Mecca, Islam’s holiest city. Located in Jeddah, on the Red Sea coast, Mecca is home to the Kaaba shrine and Grand Mosque. During the seventh century the city was a flourishing trading centre and played an important role in the spread of Islam. Today, two million people take flights to Saudi Arabia a year to carry out the Hajj pilgrimage.
Although Saudi Arabia doesn’t have tourist attractions as such, it does have some historic sights that can’t be missed. Habalah or “the Hanging Village” in Jeddah is a deserted village that used to be the site of the first cable-car system in the Kingdom and has some fine examples of preserved Arabian houses. In the capital Riyadh there’s a state-of-the-art museum – the National Museum – that houses some Dilmun tombs and rock art while the most important monument is the Al Musmak Castle which was built in the late 19th century.
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It is the desert; the climate is hot and dry, but along the coasts, high humidity is a factor. Average temperatures range between 18 and 30 degrees. Tropical winds during the summer months cause monsoons in the west and southwest. In the south, tropical winds in the winter time are often accompanied by sandstorms.
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Peak Season:
The best time to visit is between October and May, when the days are warm and nights are cool.
Off Season:
April to November. During these months, temperatures are very high. Ramadan usually occurs about November.
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Saudi Arabian Airlines flies domestically as does Nas Air which flies from Riyadh to Gizan, Gurayat, Jeddah and Madinah. Al Khayala flies from Riyadh to Jeddah.
The Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company runs intracity services in ten cities (including Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, Jeddah, Taif, Dammam, Abha, Gaseem, Tabuk and Hael) and intercity buses.
The Saudi Railways Organization operates a service from Dammam to Riyadh. Taxis are plentiful and cheap and can be flagged down just about everywhere. Taxis are metered, but you can also negotiate a fee with the driver.
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- Riyadh is the capital and seat of government. Don’t miss Al-Musmak Fortress, which was built in the late 19th century and is now a museum. In mud and brick, it is a beautiful example of desert architecture. The museum is open to families Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday morning; Saturday, Monday and Wednesday for men only. Al-Thumairi Gate is a restored city gate. Kingdom Tower, Saudi Arabia’s tallest building, is known as the bottle opener due to its resemblance to a … bottle opener. It is technically an inverted catenary arch; the developer described it as a necklace for the city. There is a 56-metre skybridge and an observation deck. A half-hour drive from Riyadh is Thumama Desert, with beautiful sand dunes.
- Mecca is the birthplace of the prophet Mohammed and Islam’s most holy city. All devout Muslims – around the world – are bound to make the pilgrimage (hajj) if possible once in the lifetime. The city is open to Muslims only however. This is also the case with Medina, Islam’s second-holiest city, home to the Tomb of the Prophet Mohammed.
- Madein Salih is an absolute must-visit. It is an archeological site, a sister city to Petra in Jordan. The tombs were carved into the side of cliffs between 100 BC and 100 AD when it was a kingdom of Nabataean people. You will need a permit to visit it, but this can usually be arranged by the hotel or travel agent you book with.
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There are several airports for flights to Saudi Arabia including:
King Khalid International Airport (RUH) located 22 miles north of the city.
Dhahran (DHA) (Al Khobar) Airport, eight miles southeast of Dhahran (travel time – 15 minutes).
Jeddah (JED) (King Abdul Aziz) Airport, eleven miles north of the city (travel time – 30 minutes).
Dammam (DMM) (King Fahd International) Airport, 19 miles northwest of Dammam (travel time – 45 minutes).
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All visitors require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia, and visas are only granted to those with sponsorship in the country. Tourist visas are granted only to selected groups on a limited basis. Everyone who enters the Kingdom should have a valid passport with at least six months validity in addition to the appropriate visa and a return ticket. Women entering the Kingdom alone must be met by a sponsor or male relative and have confirmed accommodation for the duration of their stay. Entry may be refused to any visitor arriving in an intoxicated state, men wearing shorts, women in tight clothing or with legs and arms exposed, and to couples displaying affection in public. There are special requirements for pilgrims undertaking the Haj or visiting holy sites.
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A sponsored visa is required for UK nationals.
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