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: 2026-05-19
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 2.913743
AAVE 0.002995
ADA 1.060632
AED 0.979333
AFN 16.668998
AKT 0.330806
ALGO 2.483346
ALL 21.885458
AMD 98.142058
AMP 318.717779
ANG 0.480437
AOA 244.953268
APE 1.849097
APT 0.282453
AR 0.124823
ARB 2.281621
ARS 372.291330
ATOM 0.129614
ATS 3.152081
AUD 0.373636
AVAX 0.028894
AWG 0.477333
AXS 0.227100
AZM 2,266.675470
AZN 0.453335
BAKE 360.670510
BAM 0.448023
BAT 2.752449
BBD 0.533333
BCH 0.000702
BDT 32.769005
BEF 9.240689
BGN 0.448023
BHD 0.100267
BIF 794.419706
BMD 0.266667
BNB 0.000415
BND 0.341346
BOB 1.848226
BRL 1.335945
BSD 0.266667
BSV 0.017726
BSW 311.551752
BTC 0.000003
BTG 0.693210
BTN 25.703765
BTT 828,861.877533
BUSD 0.266802
BWP 3.625348
BYN 0.733331
BYR 7,333.305700
BZD 0.536729
CAD 0.366609
CAKE 0.188634
CDF 611.986708
CELO 3.313938
CFX 4.528597
CHF 0.209552
CHZ 5.423589
CLP 240.273660
CNH 1.814404
CNY 1.813779
COMP 0.012104
COP 1,013.103887
CRC 120.724328
CRO 3.815980
CRV 1.130242
CSPR 90.270972
CUC 0.266667
CUP 6.398679
CVE 25.259625
CVX 0.153644
CYP 0.134069
CZK 5.568867
DAI 0.266799
DASH 0.006217
DCR 0.015842
DEM 0.448023
DFI 271.562781
DJF 47.450363
DKK 1.711792
DOGE 2.556743
DOP 15.785560
DOT 0.213542
DYDX 1.843629
DZD 35.402140
EEK 3.584187
EGLD 0.068034
EGP 14.219324
ENJ 6.208788
EOS 3.296524
ERN 4.0000
ESP 38.114156
ETB 41.990753
ETC 0.029942
ETH 0.000125
EUR 0.229071
EURC 0.228892
FEI 0.267684
FIL 0.276336
FIM 1.361992
FJD 0.588023
FKP 0.198813
FLOW 7.390043
FLR 31.923496
FRAX 0.268543
FRF 1.502605
FTT 0.825342
GALA 79.310488
GBP 0.198813
GEL 0.712396
GGP 0.198813
GHC 30,506.447302
GHS 3.050645
GIP 0.198813
GMD 19.699569
GMX 0.040304
GNF 2,339.142865
GNO 0.002255
GRD 78.055838
GRT 10.602660
GT 0.037589
GTQ 2.032901
GUSD 0.267262
GYD 55.772432
HBAR 2.962522
HKD 2.088343
HNL 7.093932
HNT 0.323797
HOT 672.093288
HRK 1.725933
HT 1.838957
HTG 34.903372
HUF 82.601530
ICP 0.103252
IDR 4,726.698497
IEP 0.180408
ILS 0.773954
IMP 0.198813
IMX 1.566507
INJ 0.051163
INR 25.703765
IQD 349.402828
IRR 351,509.515802
ISK 32.848535
ITL 443.542707
JEP 0.198813
JMD 42.167158
JOD 0.189067
JPY 42.382386
KAS 7.716497
KAVA 4.630289
KCS 0.033289
KDA 32.058686
KES 34.484913
KGS 23.327141
KHR 1,069.518668
KLAY 5.126671
KMF 112.695393
KNC 1.857288
KPW 239.994775
KRW 401.380222
KSM 0.053553
KWD 0.082091
KYD 0.221801
KZT 125.128080
LAK 5,849.200051
LBP 23,906.111993
LDO 0.748744
LEO 0.026435
LINK 0.027513
LKR 88.810234
LRC 16.454247
LRD 48.874343
LSL 4.439813
LTC 0.004911
LTL 0.790935
LUF 9.240689
LUNA 4.213222
LUNC 3,392.743339
LVL 0.160991
LYD 1.693302
MAD 2.454127
MANA 3.025783
MBX 6.810077
MDL 4.614691
MGA 1,115.825273
MGF 5,579.126363
MINA 4.668088
MKD 14.116300
MKR 0.000155
MMK 559.798768
MNT 954.394563
MOP 2.150993
MRO 106.619783
MRU 10.661978
MTL 0.098340
MUR 12.608809
MVR 4.118555
MWK 464.121937
MXN 4.614600
MXV 0.522189
MYR 1.059821
MZM 17,032.109382
MZN 17.032109
NAD 4.439813
NEAR 0.165266
NEO 0.092232
NEXO 0.299807
NFT 942,851.355002
NGN 365.616844
NIO 9.802030
NLG 0.504805
NOK 2.472965
NPR 41.145302
NZD 0.455475
OKB 0.003261
OMR 0.102578
ONE 130.095032
OP 2.077046
ORDI 0.064066
PAB 0.266667
PAXG 0.000059
PEN 0.912594
PEPE 72,412.175211
PGK 1.178166
PHP 16.456300
PI 1.756815
PKR 74.294943
PLN 0.971802
POL 2.933622
PTE 45.924550
PYG 1,623.051448
QAR 0.970667
QNT 0.003564
QTUM 0.295323
ROL 11,933.329718
RON 1.193333
RPL 0.153651
RSD 26.885915
RUB 19.326656
RUNE 0.595856
RVN 48.250679
RWF 389.897049
SAND 3.702922
SBD 2.134977
SCR 3.914828
SDD 16,006.158089
SDG 160.061581
SEK 2.509085
SGD 0.341346
SHIB 46,264.286948
SHP 0.198813
SIT 54.894500
SKK 6.900984
SLE 6.107966
SLL 6,107.965603
SNX 0.860878
SOL 0.003137
SOS 152.382924
SPL 0.044444
SRD 9.926614
SRG 9,926.614373
SSP 1,257.234353
STD 5,672.732772
STN 5.672733
STX 1.116330
SUI 0.252032
SVC 2.333333
SYP 29.476175
SZL 4.439813
THB 8.698750
THETA 1.350728
TJS 2.482217
TMM 4,676.295591
TMT 0.935259
TND 0.774429
TON 0.132522
TOP 0.634379
TRL 12,155,594.550963
TRX 0.747636
TRY 12.155595
TTD 1.808812
TUSD 0.266992
TVD 0.373636
TWD 8.436739
TWT 0.558075
TZS 693.872201
UAH 11.771082
UGX 1,004.985857
UNI 0.075524
USD 0.266667
USDC 0.266756
USDD 0.266940
USDP 0.267028
USDT 0.266911
UYU 10.688968
UZS 3,208.540497
VAL 443.542707
VEB 13,795,363,466.1995
VED 137.947480
VEF 13,794,748.010074
VES 137.947480
VET 39.587681
VND 7,021.442032
VUV 31.662383
WAVES 0.701621
WEMIX 0.987161
WOO 15.790212
WST 0.718681
XAF 150.260523
XAG 0.003504
XAU 0.000059
XAUT 0.000059
XBT 0.000003
XCD 0.721960
XCG 0.480437
XCH 0.096077
XDC 8.578385
XDR 0.195083
XEC 36,353.438536
XEM 400.680103
XLM 1.816427
XMR 0.000690
XOF 150.260523
XPD 0.000190
XPF 27.335405
XPT 0.000135
XRP 0.192927
XTZ 0.779902
YER 63.631981
ZAR 4.439813
ZEC 0.000466
ZIL 67.827050
ZMK 5,039.999350
ZMW 5.039999
ZWD 96.506667
ZWG 6.909392
ZWL 17,264.666129

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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.