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: 2026-10-07
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 2.683987
AAVE 0.001524
ADA 1.040757
AED 0.979333
AFN 17.196603
AKT 0.368289
ALGO 2.234857
ALL 21.800824
AMD 96.506117
AMP 452.526910
ANG 0.480202
AOA 244.607312
APE 1.772350
APT 0.347587
AR 0.062106
ARB 1.434684
ARS 405.408029
ATOM 0.156431
ATS 3.267315
AUD 0.382635
AVAX 0.024080
AWG 0.477333
AXS 0.220315
AZM 2,266.666829
AZN 0.453333
BAKE 1,125.414989
BAM 0.464402
BAT 2.530583
BBD 0.533333
BCH 0.000870
BDT 32.782363
BEF 9.578508
BGN 0.464402
BHD 0.100267
BIF 800.898641
BMD 0.266667
BNB 0.000347
BND 0.341145
BOB 3.197290
BRL 1.328786
BSD 0.266667
BSV 0.013918
BSW 657.687848
BTC 0.000003
BTCB 3.920943
BTG 0.416414
BTN 25.742884
BTT 729,733.515401
BUSD 0.266759
BWP 3.665785
BYN 0.818964
BYR 5,227.660552
BZD 0.536644
CAD 0.379334
CAKE 0.115508
CDF 616.399815
CELO 2.746303
CFX 5.146458
CHF 0.222286
CHZ 16.774618
CLP 259.689178
CNH 1.787991
CNY 1.788096
COMP 0.011569
COP 863.283292
CRC 121.846248
CRO 4.140785
CRV 0.757818
CSPR 107.975275
CUC 0.266717
CUP 6.397954
CVE 26.183063
CVX 0.125172
CYP 0.138970
CZK 5.795558
DAI 0.266745
DASH 0.004965
DCR 0.014895
DEM 0.464402
DFI 332.277903
DJF 47.471192
DKK 1.774871
DOGE 2.960516
DOP 16.068295
DOT 0.237627
DYDX 2.000908
DZD 35.905286
EEK 3.715217
EGLD 0.064293
EGP 13.950763
ENJ 8.598172
EOS 2.676040
ERN 4.0000
ESP 39.507527
ETB 42.958022
ETC 0.031458
ETH 0.000102
EUR 0.237445
EURC 0.237455
FEI 0.267745
FIL 0.245194
FIM 1.411784
FJD 0.599914
FKP 0.201287
FLOW 8.452471
FLR 37.232144
FRAX 0.268979
FRF 1.557537
FTT 1.082699
GALA 115.241929
GBP 0.201287
GEL 0.691506
GGP 0.201287
GHC 31,378.940851
GHS 3.137894
GIP 0.201287
GMD 19.787154
GMX 0.031780
GNF 2,348.031033
GNO 0.002230
GRD 80.909391
GRT 9.641182
GT 0.024040
GTQ 2.035720
GUSD 0.267201
GYD 55.763846
HBAR 2.775091
HKD 2.092775
HNL 7.158124
HNT 0.529305
HOT 617.758027
HRK 1.789030
HT 7.309405
HTG 34.901554
HUF 86.821691
ICP 0.083345
IDR 4,769.780451
IEP 0.187003
ILS 0.813903
IMP 0.201287
IMX 1.520177
INJ 0.035407
INR 25.742884
IQD 349.394473
IRR 461,994.501449
ISK 32.586282
ITL 459.757671
JEP 0.201287
JMD 42.342846
JOD 0.189067
JPY 42.250529
KAS 6.438919
KAVA 3.997293
KCS 0.034807
KDA 29.498941
KES 34.641540
KGS 23.322145
KHR 1,080.172937
KLAY 6.919594
KMF 116.815293
KNC 1.914555
KPW 240.045722
KRW 356.965648
KSM 0.055010
KWD 0.082581
KYD 0.221599
KZT 120.204601
LAK 5,985.635804
LBP 23,931.004253
LDO 0.613697
LEO 0.030011
LINK 0.019590
LKR 88.155673
LRC 26.996025
LRD 45.575836
LSL 4.423688
LTC 0.003953
LTL 0.819850
LUF 9.578508
LUNA 5.633599
LUNC 5,255.484872
LVL 0.166876
LYD 1.713305
MAD 2.658172
MANA 2.596871
MBX 9.180267
MDL 4.754030
MGA 1,179.676778
MGF 5,898.383890
MINA 2.572776
MKD 14.596950
MKR 0.000134
MMK 559.897039
MNT 959.147533
MOP 2.155558
MRO 106.707509
MRU 10.670751
MTL 0.101935
MUR 12.631812
MVR 4.122053
MWK 462.130728
MXN 4.805868
MXV 0.543733
MYR 1.089825
MZM 17,031.164917
MZN 17.031165
NAD 4.423688
NEAR 0.053698
NEO 0.110907
NEXO 0.317019
NFT 1,127,619.921358
NGN 353.580850
NIO 9.806648
NLG 0.523260
NOK 2.551792
NPR 41.207921
NZD 0.475805
OKB 0.001988
OMR 0.102636
ONE 1.895746
OP 2.194218
ORDI 0.062391
PAB 0.266667
PAXG 0.000064
PEN 0.917850
PEPE 64,960.319337
PGK 1.207422
PHP 16.731643
PI 3.188984
PKR 73.841564
PLN 1.038737
POL 2.581472
PTE 47.603453
PYG 1,561.377954
QAR 0.970667
QNT 0.001066
QTUM 0.287047
ROL 12,701.479065
RON 1.270148
RPL 0.147536
RSD 27.882007
RUB 22.604794
RUNE 0.364247
RVN 119.237527
RWF 393.528618
SAND 3.572627
SBD 2.151607
SCR 3.826100
SDD 16,004.817025
SDG 160.048170
SEK 2.672798
SGD 0.341145
SHIB 48,121.591009
SHP 0.201287
SIT 56.901325
SKK 7.153269
SLE 6.580246
SLL 6,580.245672
SNX 1.097688
SOL 0.002253
SOS 152.173668
SPL 0.044444
SRD 10.043985
SRG 10,043.984733
SSP 1,533.737507
STD 5,855.136959
STN 5.855137
STX 0.668253
SUI 0.234669
SVC 2.333333
SYP 3,467.859379
SZL 4.423688
THB 8.981889
THETA 1.212909
TJS 2.458456
TMM 4,661.640729
TMT 0.932328
TND 0.798719
TOP 0.642238
TRL 13,118,320.516724
TRX 0.801779
TRY 13.118321
TTD 1.807585
TUSD 0.266867
TVD 0.382635
TWD 8.498066
TWT 0.482888
TZS 706.070902
UAH 11.958416
UGX 1,078.377975
UNI 0.032820
USD 0.266667
USDC 0.266740
USDD 0.266755
USDP 0.268429
USDT 0.266772
UYU 10.756039
UZS 3,139.601471
VAL 459.757671
VEB 23,210,704,494.7146
VED 232.107045
VEF 23,210,704.494715
VES 232.107045
VET 32.402665
VND 6,936.310330
VUV 32.033456
WAVES 0.951716
WEMIX 1.394025
WOO 20.761595
WST 0.741519
XAF 155.753724
XAG 0.004394
XAU 0.000065
XAUT 0.000064
XBT 0.000003
XCD 0.721904
XCG 0.480202
XCH 0.176273
XDC 7.927060
XDR 0.196861
XEC 34,711.850573
XEM 467.904978
XLM 1.293453
XMR 0.000479
XOF 155.753724
XPD 0.000230
XPF 28.334728
XPT 0.000158
XRP 0.181727
XTZ 0.849924
YER 62.996934
ZAR 4.423688
ZEC 0.000202
ZIL 79.123165
ZMK 5,293.220755
ZMW 5.293221
ZWD 96.506667
ZWG 7.137125
ZWL 17,833.706436

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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.