Popular places to visit in Saudi Arabia are spread in major regions of the country. They give a glimpse of the country’s most beautiful places, heritage sites, architectural wonders, and sites of historical importance. Saudi Arabia is a sparsely populated country in western Asia, officially known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It covers four-fifths of the Arabian Peninsula bounded by the coral-filled Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. It is the most underrated yet worthy a visit due to its diverse landscape and rich cultural heritage. The country is also the historical home of Islam; it is the home to two holiest sites, the Grand Mosque in Makkah, and Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
Saudi Arabia is perhaps an evasive country with religious and cultural traditions that requires you to grind up on cultural rules but once you arrive, it offers a beautiful country to discover. Some of the most popular places to visit in Saudi Arabia are mentioned below:
- The Kingdom Centre Tower in Riyadh
It’s a 99-story, 300-metres tall building, and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Saudi Arabia. In fact, it is the tallest building in Riyadh and a house of offices, a five-star hotel and luxury apartments. Come here to stand at the highest point of the city and enjoy a panoramic view of the Saudi Arabian capital.
- Al Masjid an Nabawi in Madinah
Also known as the Prophet’s Mosque, this is the second largest in the world and second holiest mosque in Islam. It was built by the Prophet (PBUH) himself in the city of Madinah, next to the house where he settled after his migration here from Makkah.
- The Great Mosque of Makkah, that is Masjid al-Haram
The mosque in Makkah was built to enclose the holy Kaaba, which is the house of the most merciful Allah. It is the largest mosque in the world, and it also houses the tomb of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. It is the mosque, where Muslims from all over the world come together to perform the pilgrimages of Hajj and Umrah.
- The Holy Kaaba in Makkah
It’s a cubicle building in the centre of the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and the most sacred place to visit as per Islam. Circling around the holy Kaaba seven times counter-clockwise, known as Tawaf, is an obligatory ritual for completion of Hajj /Umrah.
- Al-Balad or the old Jeddah
Al-Balad, meaning ‘The Town’, is the historical area of Jeddah and also the second largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is the historic city center of Jeddah, which was founded in the 7th century. In modern times, the city is famous for its intricately designed houses and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It makes for one of the prettiest tourist attractions in Saudi Arabia.
- Red Sea Mall in Jeddah
This beautiful mall is located in between the King Abdulaziz International Airport and the Red Sea coast. The mall has both international and local brands and a variety of restaurants, cafes, diners, shops, and entertainment for everyone. For those who love shopping and entertainment, Red Sea Mall is one of the important places to visit in KSA.
- Al Baqi in Madinah
It is the oldest and the first cemetery in Madinah. Prophet Muhammad’s son, Prophet Ibrahim, peace and blessings be upon him, was buried here. Before his death, he also visited the cemetery regularly to pray for God’s forgiveness.
- Al Rahmah Mosque in Jeddah
It’s a floating mosque built across the Red Sea. It is a favoured stop for tourists for its open courtyard, marbled elegance, and its panoramic view over the water.
- The Masmak Fortress in Riyadh
The fort is made up of clay and mud brick and looks like a sandcastle. It has been converted into a museum that exhibits costumes, handicrafts, a sitting room, a courtyard and a well, giving a reflection of the Saudi culture heritage.
- The Elephant Rock in Al Ula
In between the sandy desert, 11km northeast of the province of Al-Ula at a height of 52 meters, you witness Jabal AlFil or the Elephant Rock. These are natural formations of elephants with ground-bound trunks that make quite a sight in the Saleh desert. It is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Saudi Arabia to visit at sunrise and sunset.
The beautiful places to visit in Saudi Arabia are places where most tourists flock and take home a piece of this lovely country and its splendid beauty.
