Saudi Arabia trip | Round trip wondrous Saudi Arabia

You’ll begin by exploring the capital, Riyadh, one of the wealthiest cities in the world and a showcase for modern Saudi Arabia. Once a walled waystation built of mud bricks along trade routes through the desert, the capital is now an ultra-modern metropolis boasting the country’s finest hotels and restaurants. Its organised grid layout is dotted with over 4,000 mosques, countless bustling shopping centres and traditional souks, public parks and a diverse array of communities and neighbourhoods.
Discover the wealth of contrasts that set Riyadh apart. Historical highlights here include Masmak Fort, Souq al-Zel and cultural centres such as the National Museum and Murabba Palace. And, of course, Turaif in the Diriyah area, once the heart and birthplace of the kingdom. As you walk through the city, you’ll notice the contrast between these local marketplaces and the city’s gleaming high-rises. Towards the end of a busy day, head to Souq al Zel and Souq Bisht, two of the city’s most distinctive traditional marketplaces and unique, atmospheric hubs of Arab trade. This is the perfect place to buy an abaya to wear whilst travelling. Of course, wearing an abaya as a foreigner is entirely optional. Complete the Riyadh experience by mingling with the locals in one of the city’s parks or squares, which come alive with social activities as soon as the sun goes down.

You’ll fly from the capital to Al Ula, home to Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, deep in the desert in the north-western region of the country. It is an area rich in historical and geographical significance and, for most travellers, the highlight of their Saudi adventure.
You’ll first head to the historic city of Al Ula, often referred to as ‘the old city’ – a charming place that once lay at the crossroads of the Silk Road and the Incense Route, and one that rewards a leisurely stroll. Recent renovations have transformed it into a magical blend of ancient alleyways and trendy restaurants and souvenir shops.
Beyond the old town, in the wadi or valley, there are numerous farms where lush palm trees sway gently and the scent of citrus fills the fresh air, adding to the oasis-like atmosphere that Al Ula still possesses. Take a stroll along the winding, shaded Oasis Heritage Trail, passing colourful vegetable fields, listening to the birdsong and imagining how the nomads of the past found water and refuge here in the desert.
As sunset approaches, it’s time for a pilgrimage to Elephant Rock. Set against the golden desert sand and rising into the blue Arabian sky, the rock (also known as Jabal Alfil) is one of Al Ula’s most impressive geological wonders.

Al Ula’s main attractions are its remarkable natural rock formations and gorges, extensive and varied pre-Arab rock art, and impeccably preserved tombs built by the Nabataeans over 2,000 years ago.
You’ll start the day with a visit to the Nabataean site of Hegra, the southern capital of the Nabataean Kingdom, dating back to the first century BC. Visitors follow their ‘rawee’ or storyteller to explore several of the more than 100 well-preserved monumental tombs, most with detailed facades carved from rock formations scattered across the desert.
Next to the old town is an area known as ‘the new town or art town’ with a colourful atmosphere featuring street art and exhibitions dotted along the pedestrianised streets, making for a wonderful stroll with countless opportunities to enjoy a drink on a terrace, where you can sit back and watch the world go by whilst the sun changes the colours of the towering cliffs all around.
Enjoy the rest of your free afternoon. Make the most of the hotel’s facilities or continue exploring the landscapes of Al Ula with an optional activity: to name but a few, view the sandstone mountains from above in a helicopter or hot-air balloon (in season), jump on a mountain bike and head off the beaten track into the desert dunes, or climb to the edge of the valley to better enjoy the sweeping vistas of Al Ula.

A trip to Saudi Arabia isn’t complete without a 4x4 excursion through the desert. And we’ll start this day with an unforgettable excursion around the towering cliffs that surround Al Ula. After the ups and downs of the morning’s four-wheel-drive safari, you’ll settle down in the middle of the desert for a delightful Bedouin-style, sheltered picnic lunch, featuring a traditional selection of Saudi and other Middle Eastern delicacies. Like true desert navigators, we’ll set up camp to shelter from the sun, where the finest Arabian hospitality awaits us.
After lunch, you’ll travel through the desert and the mountains to Medina along an ancient pilgrimage route. Don’t expect sand dunes; this is a volcanic region with black lava rock, mountain views and rich in historical significance. Medina, one of the two holiest cities in Islam (the other being Mecca), is centred around Al Masjid an Nabawi, a colossal mosque with 10 minarets that can accommodate 1 million people, also known as the Prophet’s Mosque. For an introduction to the destination’s fascinating history, visit the Dar Al Medina Museum, a private collection documenting the city’s history and heritage. Then join the crowds of pilgrims in the heart of the city to experience an indescribable atmosphere. Non-Muslims are welcome to enjoy the view of the mosque from the edge of the square. As the sun sets, visit Mount Uhud, an important place of pilgrimage and a vantage point overlooking the holy city.

There is much more to Medina than just the main holy site. You’ll have the chance to visit the terminus of the Hijaz or Ottoman railway line, which once brought pilgrims to Medina from as far away as Damascus in Syria. You’ll then round off your visit to Medina with a bit of a browse around the city’s central market. Saudis are well known for their love of sweets, and the stalls in this bustling souk are ideal for browsing for delicacies such as ma’amoul (butter biscuits filled with pistachios, walnuts, almonds or dates), luqaimat (hot, crispy dumplings drizzled with honey) and kunafa (a kind of sweet cheesecake made with semolina pastry and rosewater syrup).
After lunch, you’ll board one of Saudi Arabia’s state-of-the-art high-speed trains for the short (less than 2 hours) journey to the coastal city of Jeddah. Jeddah is a commercial centre in the west, on the Red Sea, and boasts the second-busiest seaport in the Middle East. It is the main gateway to Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, and welcomes over a million pilgrims a year on their way to the Hajj. Nevertheless, Jeddah is regarded as the most liberal city in Saudi Arabia and is a popular tourist destination, combining the beauty of ancient architecture with the latest in luxury.
Celebrate your arrival with a drink at sunset on the city’s charming corniche. You can spread out your blanket for a peaceful picnic amongst the locals as the sun sets, the call to prayer rings out and the world’s tallest fountain comes to life in front of the seafront promenade.

On this day, you will gain background information on the wider context of Saudi Arabia at the Tayebat Museum. You will explore various regions of Saudi Arabia, Islamic art and Jeddah, the city we will visit next. The Tayebat Museum features life-size, authentic examples of Saudi and, in particular, Jeddahwi architectural styles, everyday tools and utensils, art and, of course, details about the two holy cities: Mecca and Medina. After we’ve seen a selection of what’s on display, we’ll head out to experience the real Saudi Arabia!
Jeddah’s proximity to the Red Sea puts local seafood in the spotlight, unlike elsewhere in the country. The Central Fish Market is the place to be where buyers and sellers come together. Squid, prawns, lobsters and a wide variety of fish – some found only in the Red Sea – are all fresh and on display. Follow the flow of the market, where customers first make their selection. They then move on to have it weighed and collect a ticket for the cleaning section. All sorted? Now it can be prepared in the market’s restaurant or taken home. To keep things stylish, you can enjoy a seafood lunch at a nearby restaurant. You’ll then have a few free hours to spend at the market, relaxing at the hotel or on an optional excursion such as snorkelling.
Discover that life on dry land is just as enjoyable in the atmospheric old town of Al Balad, which was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014. The traditional multi-storey buildings and merchants’ houses are an architectural treasure trove. It’s a step back in time, with the hustle and bustle of trade, pilgrims shopping and the occasional tourist. Let your guide take you on a final tasting of Saudi cuisine before your journey comes to an end.