7 Unforgettable Experiences in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is one of travel's great surprises. For decades, it remained largely closed to leisure visitors, but the kingdom has flung open its doors, and what awaits is nothing short of extraordinary. Ancient civilisations, dramatic desert landscapes, and a culture steeped in warmth and tradition make it one of the most compelling destinations on earth. So, is Saudi Arabia worth visiting? We think the question answers itself the moment you set eyes on a Nabataean tomb glowing amber at dusk. 

Whether you're drawn by the romance of the Arabian desert or the pull of a truly off-the-beaten-track adventure, here are seven experiences that make a desert walking holiday in Saudi Arabia quite unlike anywhere else.

Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, also known as Mada'in Saleh, is a landscape of rose-red sandstone tombs carved by the Nabataeans over 2,000 years ago. Remarkably well-preserved and far less visited than its Jordanian counterpart, Hegra feels genuinely frontier. Walking between the monumental facades as the early morning light catches the rock is one of the most memorable things to do in Saudi Arabia, and for walkers, the surrounding terrain offers superb exploration on foot.

AlUla is extraordinary. Stretching across a lush oasis valley in the northwest of the country, it combines dramatic sandstone rock formations, ancient Dadanite and Lihyanite ruins, and world-class contemporary art installations. The Maraya concert hall, clad entirely in mirrors and rising from the desert floor, is a sight in itself. Walking through AlUla's landscapes at golden hour, with the rock pillars casting long shadows across the sand, is the kind of experience that stays with you long after you're home.

The Rub' al Khali is the largest continuous sand desert in the world, and spending a night under its sky is as close to the infinite as most of us will ever get. As darkness falls and the temperature drops, the stars emerge in their thousands, undimmed by light pollution. This is the Saudi Arabian desert at its most elemental: vast, humbling, and utterly unforgettable. A night in a traditional Bedouin-style camp here, with the crackle of a fire and the silence of the dunes, is the kind of thing that makes a desert walking holiday truly special.

Few landscapes in Saudi Arabia surprise quite like Al-Ahsa. The largest natural oasis in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Al-Ahsa is a lush, life-giving sprawl of date palms, ancient irrigation channels, and mud-brick villages in the heart of the Eastern Province. The Oasis Heritage Trail winds through this remarkable landscape, connecting historic forts, traditional souks, and centuries-old falaj water systems that have sustained communities here since antiquity. Walking this trail, with the rustle of palm fronds overhead and the smell of fresh dates in the air, offers a version of Saudi Arabia that feels genuinely timeless. It's one of the most rewarding and least expected walking experiences the kingdom has to offer.

Most visitors don't realise that Saudi Arabia has a green, misty mountain region. The Asir Highlands in the southwest of the country rise to over 3,000 metres and catch the monsoon clouds rolling in from Yemen, creating a landscape of terraced hillsides, juniper forests, and traditional stone villages that feels startlingly different from the desert. The town of Abha makes an excellent base for exploring on foot, with trails weaving between ancient, terraced farms, colourful Asiri villages, and viewpoints that look out across a sea of cloud. The region also has a rich and distinctive cultural identity, from the geometric patterns painted on village walls to the flower crowns worn by local men at festivals. For walkers who love combining dramatic landscapes with genuine cultural immersion, the Asir Highlands are quite simply unmissable.

Al-Balad, Jeddah's old city quarter, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a world away from the gleaming towers of the modern city. Labyrinthine alleys wind between centuries-old coral-stone buildings, their ornate wooden balconies (known as Rawasheen) filtering the light in the most beautiful way. The souks here smell of frankincense and fresh fish from the nearby Red Sea market.

Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastline is one of the most biodiverse marine environments on the planet, and it remains largely undiscovered by international visitors. The waters are clear and warm, the coral reefs vivid with life: parrotfish, turtles, rays, and reef sharks are all regular companions beneath the surface. The stretch of coastline around Yanbu and the Farasan Islands offers snorkelling and diving that genuinely rivals more famous Red Sea destinations, but with a fraction of the crowds.

Best time to visit: October to April, when daytime temperatures are comfortable for walking and desert exploration. Summer months bring intense heat and are not recommended for outdoor activities. 

Visas: UK and most European citizens can apply for a Saudi tourist e-visa online. The process is straightforward and takes just a few minutes. 

What to wear: Modest clothing is expected throughout the country. For walking in desert landscapes, lightweight, breathable layers are ideal. Women should carry a headscarf for visits to religious sites, though it is not required in most public spaces. 

Getting around: Distances between destinations are significant, so a guided walking tour that handles logistics is often the most rewarding way to experience the country, leaving you free to focus on the journey rather than the planning.

Without question. Saudi Arabia is a destination that consistently surpasses expectations, and for travellers willing to venture somewhere genuinely new, it offers an unmatched combination of ancient history, epic landscapes, and extraordinary human warmth. The kingdom is changing rapidly, and there's a real sense that to visit now is to catch something at an exciting moment in its opening to the world. 

If you love walking, history, and wild desert landscapes, Saudi Arabia deserves a place on your list. Ready to experience it for yourself? We offer a range of guided walking holidays in Saudi Arabia to suit different interests and abilities. Whether you're drawn to the vast desert landscapes, the ancient heritage sites, or the dramatic mountain scenery, there's a trip to match.