AlUla and Hegra
Desert canyons and the Nabataean tombs of Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Saudi Arabia trip planner: AlUla, Riyadh and Jeddah
Saudi Arabia has opened up to tourism, with UNESCO sites, desert landscapes and the Red Sea coast. Distances are large, so most trips connect cities by domestic flights.
- Best time to go
- October to March, when the weather is mild. Summer is very hot across most of the country.
- Trip length
- 5 to 8 days
- Currency
- Saudi riyal (SAR)
Highlights
Riyadh and Diriyah
The capital, and the At-Turaif district of Diriyah, the historic home of the Saudi state and a UNESCO site.
Historic Jeddah
Al-Balad, the old town of coral-stone houses, a UNESCO site on the Red Sea.
Red Sea coast
Beaches, reefs and new resorts along the western coast.
A 6-day Saudi Arabia route
- Day 1: Arrive in Riyadh
- Day 2: Diriyah and At-Turaif, evening in Riyadh
- Day 3: Fly to AlUla, old town at sunset
- Day 4: Hegra and the canyons of AlUla
- Day 5: Fly to Jeddah, Al-Balad old town
- Day 6: Jeddah corniche and the Red Sea
Good to know
- Visa rules depend on your nationality: check the official Saudi tourism and visa websites before you travel.
- Dress modestly in public places and respect prayer times, when some shops close.
- Book AlUla sites and tours ahead, especially in the cooler months.
Questions travelers ask
How many days do I need in Saudi Arabia?
Five to eight days covers Riyadh, AlUla and Jeddah with domestic flights between them.
When is the best time to visit AlUla?
October to March, when days are mild and nights in the desert are cool.
Can I plan a Saudi trip in Arabic on Blink?
Yes. Blink works in Arabic and English, and the AI planner answers in your language.