Exploring Saudi Arabia: A Comprehensive Itinerary
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA is the largest country in the Middle East covering a vast portion of the Arabian Peninsula. The list of its neighbours includes countries like Persia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Yemen, Jordan, and Iraq and it is surrounded by the Red Sea. The state capital is Riyadh and the kingdom is host to two of the holiest shrines of Islam – Cities of Mecca and Medina.
Amidst Covid-19 pandemic, Government of KSA imposed restrictions on tourists and travellers visiting from foreign countries including Hajj pilgrims but relaxed the travel norms for fully vaccinated tourists in 2021.
There are four international airports facilitating travel in Saudi Arabia:
- Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International (MED) – Madinah
- King Fahd International (DMM) – Dammam
- King Khalid International Airport (RUH) – Riyadh
- King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) – Jeddah
Best Seasons to Explore Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has an arid, desert climate for most parts with the exception of the south-western region that receives an annual rainfall in the range of 400-600 mm. The country experiences four clear seasons in the year:
- Spring- It extends from Mid-March to June with the advent of rainfall and vegetation. Around spring season, the temperature cools down the dry desert land
- Summer- Soaring temperature as high as 44 degree and even higher are experienced during summer time in KSA from June to Mid-September
- Autumn- The autumn season accords Saudi Arabia with a cool, breezy climate when the temperature begins to decline. The season extends from Mid-September to Mid-December
- Winter- The period from Mid-December to Mid-March brings a very cool, gentle weather with verdant scenery and lush highlands to Saudi Arabia
Top Trailblazing Destination Places To Visit In The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia offers a rich and diverse landscape of scenic panorama of hilly regions, Red sea, dry deserts to skyrocketing buildings and extravagant shopping malls. Enumerated below are some of the most worth-exploring destination spots of KSA:
- Riyadh- It is the state capital and the largest city in Saudi Arabia which offers many culturally rich, heritage sites besides its gleaming high-rise skyscrapers. King Abdulaziz Historical Centre, Najd village, Al Masmak Fort, Riyadh Zoo, and Boulevard City are some of the must-visit spots on the tourists’ checklist
- Dammam- It is a bustling port city located on the Eastern shore of Saudi Arabia. Tourists can explore the lush King Fahad Park, stroll around Dammam Corniche, enjoy the panorama at Al Marjan Island, go on a desert camp safari or engage in kitesurfing at the Half Moon beach
- Jeddah- The city serves as a gateway to the holiest shrine of Mecca and Medina. It is also known as the cultural capital of Saudi Arabia. The port city of Jeddah located along the Red Sea receives heavy influx of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims annually. Besides the holy shrines, the city is a hub of Jeddah Corniche, shop at Al Balad Souk (traditional market place), visit heritage mosques of King Fahad and Al Rahma, enjoy the grand Mall of Arabia and King Fahad’s Fountain
- Al-Ula- It is an ancient city located in the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia that dates to pre-Islamic civilization and maintains its well-preserved artifacts comprising of ancient Islamic inscriptions, stones, natural rock dwellings, tomb, and caves. The historical UNESCO heritage site Hegra containing many tombs and well carved sandstone outcrops, Al-Ula Museum, famous elephant shaped rock structure known as the Elephant Rock, and entertaining hubs like Al-Ula Arts District are a delight to a travel aficionado
- Al Hofuf- Hofuf is an urban city located in the Eastern part of KSA. The city is the largest producer of date palms in the world that hosts the tombs of the legendary lovers Laila and Majnoon, Al - Ahsa Archaeological and Heritage Museum, Al – Ahsa Mall, King Abdullah Environmental Park, Ibrahim Palace, Qaisariah Souq, and the stunning Al Qarah Mountain
Summary Of Essential Travel Checklist For Saudi Arabia
It is best advised to visit Saudi Arabia in the winter season from November to February. This is the period when the weather is mild, cool, and breezy.
Clothing And Accessories
- Jackets / sweaters for colder season
- Lightweight, cool garments for spring, summer, and autumn
- For tourists on pilgrimage, modest and fully covered attire- headscarf, abayas, and long robes
- Accessories- sunglasses, belts, head caps, scarves etc
- Comfortable footwear / shoes
Baggage Essentials
- Solid suitcase
- Backpack
- Handbags/sling bags/ Trolley bags
- Wallet
- Set of lock and key for luggage items
Electronic Gadgets
- Mobile Phones and Charging Peripherals
- Power Adapters
- Camera / Videographic Equipment
- Laptops / Tablets
- Ear pods / Headphones
Medicine And Health Essentials
- Hand sanitizer
- Prescription drugs for fever, pain relief, stomach, and food allergies
- Basic first-aid supplies
- Sunscreen creams / lotions
- Daily use toiletries – toothbrush, tooth paste, shampoos, body wash
- Perfumes / deodorant and other make-up essentials
Travel Documents’ Checklist
- Health Insurance related documents
- Valid passport
- Travel visa papers
- Flight tickets
- Hotel reservation forms
- Riyal – State currency of KSA; Credit and debit cards
- Embassy’s contact details in case of an Emergency