Asia · Western Asia

Saudi Arabia

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Flag of Saudi Arabia
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+03:00
🏛️ Capital
Riyadh
👥 Population
35,300,280
📐 Area
2,149,690 km²
💱 Currency
Saudi riyal (ر.س)
🗣️ Languages
Arabic
📞 Calling Code
+966
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+03:00
🌐 Region
Asia / Western Asia

About Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a destination undergoing one of the most dramatic transformations in modern travel history. The vast kingdom that once remained almost entirely closed to international tourists opened its doors to leisure visitors in 2019, and what you find inside is staggering in its scale and historical depth. From the rose-red carved tombs of Hegra in the northwest desert to the towering glass skyline of Riyadh, from the coral-fringed shores of the Red Sea to the ancient incense trade routes of the Hejaz, Saudi Arabia offers a breadth of experience that most visitors find genuinely surprising.

Riyadh, the capital, is a modern metropolis of five million people where gleaming highways cut between ultra-contemporary towers and centuries-old Najdi mud-brick fortresses. The historic Diriyah district, birthplace of the Saudi state, is being restored to extraordinary effect — its mud-brick palaces and winding lanes forming a UNESCO World Heritage Site that contextualises the entire political history of the Arabian Peninsula. Jeddah, on the Red Sea coast, is older, more cosmopolitan, and architecturally fascinating, its Al-Balad old city neighbourhood of coral-block towers and intricately carved wooden mashrabiya windows evoking the great merchant culture of the Islamic world.

The northwest of the country, particularly the AlUla region, contains some of the most spectacular archaeological landscapes anywhere on Earth. The Nabataean tombs of Hegra — contemporaries of Petra and equally magnificent but visited by a fraction of the crowd — stand alone in a desert landscape of extraordinary beauty. Saudi Arabia is not an easy destination, and social norms require respect, but for the traveler who approaches with curiosity and cultural sensitivity, the rewards are exceptional.

History & Background

The Arabian Peninsula has been a crossroads of human civilisation for millennia. The ancient Nabataean kingdom built the rock-cut city of Hegra (Mada'in Saleh) in the 1st century BCE and 1st century CE, following the same architectural tradition as their more famous capital Petra. The region's position on the incense trade routes connecting South Arabia, the Levant, and the Mediterranean made it a zone of extraordinary cultural exchange. The emergence of Islam in Mecca in 610 CE transformed the peninsula and subsequently the world, and the Hejaz region containing Mecca and Medina remains the spiritual centre of the world's 1.8 billion Muslims.

The modern Saudi state emerged from the alliance between Muhammad ibn Saud and religious reformer Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab in the Najd region in the 18th century. After several expansions and contractions, the third Saudi state was established in 1932 when Abdulaziz ibn Saud unified the Arabian Peninsula's major regions into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The discovery of oil at Dammam in 1938 transformed what had been a poor desert kingdom into one of the world's wealthiest nations within a generation. The kingdom's relationship with the United States, its role as guardian of Islam's holiest sites, and its vast hydrocarbon reserves have made it a central player in global geopolitics throughout the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st.

Culture & People

Saudi culture is rooted in Bedouin traditions and Islamic values that have shaped the Arabian Peninsula for centuries. Hospitality — diyafa — is perhaps the most deeply held cultural value, expressed through the ritual of qahwa (unsweetened cardamom coffee) and dates offered to any guest, the obligation to feed and shelter a visitor for three days without question, and the genuine warmth that characterises Saudi interactions with respectful foreigners. This hospitality tradition remains very much alive, particularly outside the major cities, and encounters with it are among the most memorable experiences Saudi Arabia offers.

The cultural transformation underway since the Vision 2030 reforms began in 2016 has been rapid and in some respects remarkable. Women now drive, attend sporting events, and work in public-facing roles that were prohibited a decade ago. Entertainment venues, cinemas, and mixed-gender social spaces have opened across major cities. Yet the culture remains deeply conservative by global standards — Friday prayers structure the weekly calendar, modest dress is expected and legally enforced in certain contexts, and public behaviour is governed by norms that differ significantly from Western contexts. Understanding and respecting these norms is not a constraint on the experience but the key to unlocking genuine connection with the country and its people.

Food & Cuisine

Saudi cuisine is hearty, aromatic, and deeply satisfying — a cuisine of slow-cooked meats, fragrant rice, and warm flatbreads that reflects the kingdom's nomadic heritage and its position on ancient spice trade routes. Kabsa is the national dish: long-grain basmati rice cooked with lamb, chicken, or camel in a spiced broth of cardamom, cinnamon, black lime (loomi), and saffron, then garnished with fried onions, raisins, and toasted almonds. The communal eating of kabsa on a large shared platter, seated on floor cushions, is one of the most authentic cultural experiences Saudi Arabia offers.

Mandi — meat slow-cooked in an underground clay oven — is another essential, producing extraordinarily tender results with a distinctive smoky flavour. Along the Red Sea coast, samak mashwi (grilled fish) with rice and tamarind sauce reflects the maritime culture of Jeddah. Street food culture is vibrant in the old neighbourhoods of every city — look for mutabbaq (thin pastry stuffed with meat or eggs), shawarma from rotating spits, and freshly baked khobz flatbread from traditional wood-fired ovens. Saudi coffee culture revolves around the ceremony of bitter qahwa and sweet Arabic tea served in small glasses, and café culture in Riyadh and Jeddah has become genuinely sophisticated in recent years.

Top Attractions

  • Hegra (Mada'in Saleh) — Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site: over 100 monumental Nabataean rock-cut tombs in a spectacular desert landscape near AlUla, comparable in grandeur to Petra but far less visited.
  • Diriyah — The restored 15th-century mud-brick birthplace of the Saudi state near Riyadh, featuring the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage District and an ambitious ongoing restoration of Najdi architecture.
  • Al-Balad, Jeddah — The atmospheric old city of Jeddah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of coral-block merchant houses, carved wooden mashrabiya screens, and winding souks dating to the 7th century.
  • Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn) — A dramatic escarpment 90 km northwest of Riyadh where the Tuwaiq plateau drops 300 metres to the desert below, offering one of the most spectacular sunset viewpoints in Arabia.
  • Farasan Islands — A protected Red Sea archipelago of 84 islands off Jizan with untouched coral reefs, historic Roman ruins, and exceptional diving in one of the most pristine marine environments in the Arabian Sea.
  • Asir National Park — The green highlands of southwestern Saudi Arabia, where terraced villages, juniper forests, and cool mountain air offer a landscape entirely unlike the kingdom's desert interior.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Apply for a Saudi tourist e-visa online before departure — the process is straightforward and available to citizens of 49+ eligible countries; the visa is valid for one year with multiple entries up to 90 days total.
  • Dress conservatively throughout the country — women should cover shoulders and knees in public; an abaya (full-length robe) is no longer legally required for female tourists but is respectful and advisable at religious sites.
  • Download the Nusuk app (formerly Eatmarna) if visiting Mecca or Medina for pilgrimage — non-Muslims cannot enter the holy city of Mecca; entry restrictions apply at the city boundaries.
  • Alcohol is completely prohibited in Saudi Arabia; penalties for possession or consumption are severe — do not attempt to bring alcohol into the country.
  • Photography of government buildings, military installations, royal palaces, and people without consent is prohibited — always ask permission before photographing individuals, particularly women.
  • The weekend in Saudi Arabia is Friday and Saturday, not Saturday and Sunday; plan schedules accordingly as government offices and many businesses close on these days.
  • Heat safety is critical from May through September — carry large quantities of water, schedule outdoor activities for early morning or evening, and never underestimate the danger of heatstroke in extreme temperatures.

Visa Overview

Saudi Arabia launched its tourist e-visa program in 2019, allowing citizens of 49 eligible countries — including the US, UK, EU member states, Australia, and Japan — to apply online for a one-year, multiple-entry tourist visa permitting 90 days total stay. The process takes minutes and visa fees apply. Pilgrims traveling to Mecca for Hajj or Umrah use a separate visa category. Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations enjoy free movement. Israel passport holders are currently restricted. Visa-on-arrival is available at major international airports for eligible nationalities.

Getting Around

Saudi Arabia's three main international airports — King Khalid in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz in Jeddah, and King Fahd in Dammam — connect the kingdom to global networks. The Haramain High Speed Railway linking Mecca, Jeddah, King Abdullah Economic City, and Medina at speeds up to 300 km/h is a remarkable way to traverse the Hejaz. Within cities, ride-hailing apps Uber and Careem operate reliably. Car rental is widely available and recommended for exploring the northwest desert regions and AlUla. Distances are vast — domestic flights with Saudia, flynas, or flyadeal save significant time on cross-country journeys.

Safety Notes

Saudi Arabia is generally safe for tourists, with very low rates of street crime in major cities. The greatest risks are driving-related — Saudi roads have high accident rates, and city traffic is aggressive; exercise extreme caution. Avoid travel to border regions near Yemen due to ongoing conflict and Houthi missile and drone activity. During extreme summer heat, heatstroke is a serious risk for outdoor activities — hydrate constantly. Adhere strictly to local laws regarding alcohol, drug possession, and public behaviour, as penalties are severe and consular assistance has limitations.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi riyal (SAR) ر.س
Updated: 2026-07-06
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 3.720168
AAVE 0.003018
ADA 1.420569
AED 0.979333
AFN 16.954384
AGIX 3.417939
AKT 0.425169
ALGO 2.978929
ALL 21.859072
AMD 98.125390
AMP 597.852344
ANG 0.480891
AOA 244.905145
APE 1.902267
APT 0.426392
AR 0.133591
ARB 3.333972
ARS 398.017109
ATOM 0.168640
ATS 3.209589
AUD 0.384950
AVAX 0.038625
AWG 0.477333
AXS 0.264086
AZM 2,266.666355
AZN 0.453333
BAKE 354.894839
BAM 0.456197
BAT 3.027909
BBD 0.533333
BCH 0.001105
BDT 32.872932
BEF 9.409277
BGN 0.456197
BHD 0.100267
BIF 793.868487
BMD 0.266667
BNB 0.000456
BND 0.344669
BOB 1.847242
BRL 1.378156
BSD 0.266667
BSV 0.018062
BSW 796.745685
BTC 0.000004
BTCB 5.032020
BTG 0.924144
BTN 25.406624
BTT 1,005,488.562436
BUSD 0.266440
BWP 3.599128
BYN 0.774379
BYR 5,227.171570
BZD 0.537084
CAD 0.378928
CAKE 0.184147
CDF 615.264780
CELO 3.969205
CFX 5.960475
CHF 0.214517
CHZ 14.771012
CLP 245.653262
CNH 1.811033
CNY 1.810316
COMP 0.015911
COP 891.341439
CRC 121.516463
CRO 4.461384
CRV 1.247402
CSPR 137.306783
CUC 0.266692
CUP 7.067349
CVE 25.720466
CVX 0.221721
CYP 0.136515
CZK 5.641440
DAI 0.266793
DASH 0.007581
DCR 0.024023
DEM 0.456197
DFI 320.971189
DJF 47.491435
DKK 1.743523
DOGE 3.450734
DOP 15.804348
DOT 0.305691
DYDX 2.019231
DZD 35.465055
EEK 3.649577
EGLD 0.096483
EGP 13.099192
ENJ 9.214272
EOS 3.681615
ERN 4.0000
ESP 38.809517
ETB 42.654807
ETC 0.037546
ETH 0.000150
EUR 0.233250
EURC 0.233420
FEI 0.266761
FIL 0.337728
FIM 1.386841
FJD 0.598802
FKP 0.199860
FLOW 9.515565
FLR 38.364253
FRAX 0.269570
FRF 1.530019
FTT 1.119525
GALA 116.401769
GBP 0.199860
GEL 0.700412
GGP 0.199860
GHC 30,295.939312
GHS 3.029594
GIP 0.199860
GMD 19.665154
GMX 0.044999
GNF 2,338.010304
GNO 0.002537
GRD 79.479902
GRT 14.055406
GT 0.039335
GTQ 2.035479
GUSD 0.267019
GYD 55.817413
HBAR 3.531549
HKD 2.091477
HNL 7.139261
HNT 1.112787
HOT 738.971513
HRK 1.757421
HT 7.442803
HTG 34.905239
HUF 82.477879
ICP 0.120970
IDR 4,797.999195
IEP 0.183699
ILS 0.800977
IMP 0.199860
IMX 1.930082
INJ 0.054583
INR 25.406624
IQD 349.651702
IRR 366,955.444855
ISK 33.588345
ITL 451.634774
JEP 0.199860
JMD 42.246021
JOD 0.189067
JPY 43.159931
KAS 8.693189
KAVA 5.910317
KCS 0.036937
KDA 45.752633
KES 34.477556
KGS 23.323794
KHR 1,069.288363
KMF 114.751426
KNC 2.392295
KPW 240.023278
KRW 408.762620
KSM 0.075677
KWD 0.082746
KYD 0.221846
KZT 126.064809
LAK 6,029.079045
LBP 23,947.576681
LDO 0.987171
LEO 0.028491
LINK 0.033396
LKR 89.305370
LRC 21.703918
LRD 48.433058
LSL 4.334344
LTC 0.005908
LTL 0.805365
LUF 9.409277
LUNA 5.430109
LUNC 4,343.447116
LVL 0.163928
LYD 1.710498
MAD 2.496972
MANA 3.832363
MBX 10.603219
MDL 4.693633
MGA 1,131.607260
MGF 5,658.036302
MINA 5.624843
MKD 14.368600
MKR 0.000186
MMK 559.820429
MNT 955.770273
MOP 2.154222
MRO 106.498752
MRU 10.649875
MTL 0.100134
MUR 12.535114
MVR 4.122503
MWK 462.569682
MXN 4.661152
MXV 0.528531
MYR 1.087269
MZM 17,031.067766
MZN 17.031068
NAD 4.334344
NEAR 0.133837
NEO 0.134816
NEXO 0.346636
NFT 1,006,212.351973
NGN 365.407795
NIO 9.816231
NLG 0.514015
NOK 2.623047
NPR 40.669654
NZD 0.468707
OKB 0.003343
OMR 0.102635
ONE 213.347188
OP 2.480450
ORDI 0.082149
PAB 0.266667
PAXG 0.000064
PEN 0.908075
PEPE 97,767.582932
PGK 1.173144
PHP 16.403441
PI 2.357305
PKR 74.189264
PLN 1.001263
POL 3.626032
PTE 46.762405
PYG 1,622.033981
QAR 0.970667
QNT 0.003983
QTUM 0.375141
ROL 12,189.661854
RON 1.218966
RPL 0.131708
RSD 27.358341
RUB 20.548712
RUNE 0.644805
RVN 69.970859
RWF 390.898911
SAND 5.344726
SBD 2.157883
SCR 3.810612
SDD 16,006.539076
SDG 160.065391
SEK 2.574089
SGD 0.344669
SHIB 60,906.703663
SHP 0.199860
SIT 55.896005
SKK 7.026886
SLE 6.090653
SLL 6,090.653423
SNX 1.164552
SOL 0.003305
SOS 152.277529
SPL 0.044444
SRD 10.038565
SRG 10,038.564726
SSP 1,266.449583
STD 5,757.027652
STN 5.757028
STX 1.559493
SUI 0.356938
SVC 2.333333
SYP 29.478073
SZL 4.334344
THB 8.864074
THETA 1.900888
TJS 2.471809
TMM 4,678.920430
TMT 0.935784
TND 0.786117
TOP 0.642215
TRL 12,484,119.112517
TRX 0.812010
TRY 12.484119
TTD 1.806930
TUSD 0.267225
TVD 0.384950
TWD 8.557397
TWT 0.775711
TZS 700.695724
UAH 11.884158
UGX 974.537472
UNI 0.084376
USD 0.266667
USDC 0.266749
USDD 0.266938
USDP 0.267473
USDT 0.266954
UYU 10.733084
UZS 3,191.412638
VAL 451.634774
VEB 17,185,027,485.3138
VED 171.834975
VEF 17,183,497.506482
VES 171.834975
VET 56.527543
VND 7,013.389526
VUV 32.051181
WAVES 1.003527
WEMIX 1.030011
WOO 22.521400
WST 0.737550
XAF 153.001901
XAG 0.004319
XAU 0.000064
XAUT 0.000064
XBT 0.000004
XCD 0.721833
XCG 0.480891
XCH 0.169206
XDC 9.490431
XDR 0.196690
XEC 50,201.664886
XEM 622.919279
XLM 1.335747
XMR 0.000824
XOF 153.001901
XPD 0.000210
XPF 27.834116
XPT 0.000163
XRP 0.232943
XTZ 1.071701
YER 63.198250
ZAR 4.334344
ZEC 0.000585
ZIL 86.445346
ZMK 4,893.149198
ZMW 4.893149
ZWD 96.506667
ZWG 7.152954
ZWL 17,873.259667

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Cities in Saudi Arabia 329
Browse all cities and towns
'Afif 'Unayzah Abha Abu 'Aris ad-Dawadimi ad-Dilam Al Hareeq al-Bahah al-Hawiyah al-Kharj al-Madinah al-Majma'ah al-Qurayyat ar-Rass ar-Riyad Ara'ar Ash Sharaf at-Ta'if az-Zulfi Buraydah Dar'iyah Ha'il Jawf Jizan Katunayake Khamis Mushayt Mahayel Makkah Najran Qal'at Bishah Rabig Rafha Sabya Sakakah Sharurah Tabuk Turayf Umm Lajj Yanbu أبقيق أبها أبو عريش أبو معن أبوالسداد أحد المسارحة أحد رفيدة أشيقر أضم أم الحمام أم الدوم أم الساهك أملج الأجفر الأحساء الأرطاوية الأسياح الأطاولة الأوجام الإثنين الباحة البجادية البدائع البدع البديع البديع الشمالي البشائر البطالية البكيرية التوبي التويثير الثقبة الثمد الجارودية الجبيل الجبيلة الجرادية الجرن الجشة الجعرانة الجفر الجله الجموم الحائر الحايط الحديثة الحذيانة الحريضة الحريق الحلوة الحناكية الحوطة الحوية الخبر الخبراء الخرخير الخرمة الخطة الخفجي الخوبة الدائر الدرب الدرعية الدلم الدليمية الدمام الدوادمي الذيبية الذيبية الرايس الرس الرفيعة الرميلة الرويضة الرياض الريان الريث الرين الزلفي السفانية السليل السليمي السيح السيل الكبير الشرائع الشعراء الشفا الشقيق الشماسية الشملي الشنان الضبيعة الطائف الطرف الطوال الظبية الظهر العارضة العالية العرين العضيلية العقيق العلا العمران العوضية العويقيلة العيدابي العيساوية العيص العيون العيينة الغاط الغزالة الفطيحة الفويلق الفياض القارة القاعد القديح القريات القريع القرين القصب القطيف القنفذة القوارة القوز القويعية القيصومة الكامل الكدرة الليث المجاردة المجمعة المحفر المخواة المدينة المنورة المذنب المراح المركز المرير المزاحمية المضايا المطعن المطيرفي المظيلف المليداء المندق المنصورة المنيزلة المويه النابية الناصفة النبهانية النعيرية النماص الهدا الهفوف الهياثم الوجه بئر ابن هرماس بارق بحر أبوسكينة بحرة بدر بدر الجنوب بريدة بقعاء بلجرشي بللسمر بني حسن بيش بيشة تاروت تبالة تبوك تثليث تربة تربة تمير تنومة تيماء ثادق ثار ثرب ثريبان ثول جبة جدة جليجلة جودة جيزان حائل حاكمة ابوعريش حالة عمار حبونا حداد بني مالك حرض حرمة حريملاء حفر الباطن حقل حوطة بني تميم خريص خصيبة خليص خميس مشيط خيبر دخنة دومة الجندل رابغ رجال ألمع رحيمة رغبة رفحاء رماح رنية روضة سدير روضة هباس رياض الخبراء ساجر سبت العلاية سدوس سراة عبيدة سعد سكاكا سميراء سوق الجمعة سيهات شرورة شعبة نصاب شقراء صامطة صبيا صعبر صفوى صوير ضبا ضرما ضرية ضليع رشيد ضمد طبرجل طريف ظلم ظهران الجنوب عرجاء عرعر عشيرة عفراء عفيف عقلة الصقور عنك عنيزة عين ابن فهيد عين اللَّوي عيون الجواء غامد الزناد غران فرسان فرعة طريب فيفاء قبة قرية العليا قرية نيوم قصيباء قلوه ليلى لينة مجمع الظهران السكني محايل عسير مدينة الملك خالد العسكرية مرات مستورة مسلية مكة ملهم مليجة مهد الذهب موقق ميسان نجران نخال بلقرن نعجان نمرة نيوم وادي ابن هشبل وادي الدواسر يبرين ينبع

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Saudi Arabia needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Saudi Arabia?
The capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh.
What currency does Saudi Arabia use?
Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi riyal (ر.س) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Saudi Arabia?
The official language(s) of Saudi Arabia include Arabic.
What is the population of Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia has a population of approximately 35,300,280 people.
What region is Saudi Arabia in?
Saudi Arabia is located in Asia, specifically in the Western Asia subregion.
What is the international calling code for Saudi Arabia?
The international dialing code for Saudi Arabia is +966.
What time zones does Saudi Arabia observe?
Saudi Arabia observes the following time zone(s): UTC+03:00.
What is the current time in Saudi Arabia?
The local time in Saudi Arabia is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia covers a total area of 2,149,690 km².
How many states or provinces does Saudi Arabia have?
Saudi Arabia is divided into 30 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Saudi Arabia in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Saudi Arabia in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Saudi Arabia?
Visa requirements for citizens of Saudi Arabia vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.