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: 2026-08-20
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 3.081401
AAVE 0.002787
ADA 1.432435
AED 0.979333
AFN 17.453536
AGIX 4.686472
AKT 0.518721
ALGO 3.239307
ALL 21.158484
AMD 96.798563
AMP 695.147233
ANG 0.477658
AOA 244.902501
APE 2.073597
APT 0.476709
AR 0.143474
ARB 3.048865
ARS 399.221349
ATOM 0.178691
ATS 3.141249
AUD 0.375150
AVAX 0.039367
AWG 0.477333
AXS 0.295853
AZM 2,266.612714
AZN 0.453323
BAKE 383.360884
BAM 0.446484
BAT 4.264764
BBD 0.533333
BCH 0.001262
BDT 32.447237
BEF 9.208932
BGN 0.446484
BHD 0.100267
BIF 793.153771
BMD 0.266667
BNB 0.000427
BND 0.339075
BOB 3.062914
BRL 1.380924
BSD 0.266667
BSV 0.016655
BSW 735.816598
BTC 0.000004
BTCB 4.505280
BTG 0.607727
BTN 25.499031
BTT 980,165.574054
BUSD 0.266490
BWP 3.586879
BYN 0.806268
BYR 5,225.892191
BZD 0.535644
CAD 0.368069
CAKE 0.165475
CDF 611.308969
CELO 4.261078
CFX 6.088430
CHF 0.212983
CHZ 20.860506
CLP 245.754709
CNH 1.793445
CNY 1.793536
COMP 0.014470
COP 814.076422
CRC 120.056140
CRO 5.351656
CRV 1.022075
CSPR 99.845716
CUC 0.266627
CUP 7.065619
CVE 25.172817
CVX 0.164857
CYP 0.133608
CZK 5.517517
DAI 0.266634
DASH 0.008392
DCR 0.022572
DEM 0.446484
DFI 267.993264
DJF 47.363020
DKK 1.706597
DOGE 3.551940
DOP 15.574012
DOT 0.336923
DYDX 2.424166
DZD 35.390408
EEK 3.571869
EGLD 0.093867
EGP 13.507076
ENJ 10.538476
EOS 4.040486
ERN 4.0000
ESP 37.983171
ETB 43.337551
ETC 0.040420
ETH 0.000118
EUR 0.228283
EURC 0.229902
FEI 0.266329
FIL 0.396124
FIM 1.357312
FJD 0.586763
FKP 0.195983
FLOW 9.223116
FLR 41.474427
FRAX 0.268944
FRF 1.497441
FTT 1.284786
GALA 185.064822
GBP 0.195983
GEL 0.694775
GGP 0.195983
GHC 29,507.481266
GHS 2.950748
GIP 0.195983
GMD 19.761069
GMX 0.039193
GNF 2,340.183993
GNO 0.002200
GRD 77.787587
GRT 19.058544
GT 0.038317
GTQ 2.029741
GUSD 0.267106
GYD 55.468077
HBAR 3.762690
HKD 2.091216
HNL 7.129124
HNT 1.538498
HOT 789.663046
HRK 1.720002
HT 2.348088
HTG 34.683295
HUF 83.075123
ICP 0.114984
IDR 4,747.184000
IEP 0.179788
ILS 0.794240
IMP 0.195983
IMX 2.548968
INJ 0.057411
INR 25.499031
IQD 347.317978
IRR 366,505.683941
ISK 32.464364
ITL 442.018405
JEP 0.195983
JMD 41.891530
JOD 0.189067
JPY 42.228285
KAS 10.000554
KAVA 6.478670
KCS 0.036558
KDA 56.791412
KES 34.517891
KGS 23.345130
KHR 1,073.970011
KLAY 10.848971
KMF 112.308098
KNC 2.519893
KPW 239.964516
KRW 371.628051
KSM 0.086608
KWD 0.082198
KYD 0.221518
KZT 123.006014
LAK 5,978.452655
LBP 23,835.580072
LDO 0.786993
LEO 0.028679
LINK 0.025443
LKR 87.744752
LRC 33.519637
LRD 48.283067
LSL 4.293526
LTC 0.005676
LTL 0.788217
LUF 9.208932
LUNA 6.031112
LUNC 5,278.251822
LVL 0.160438
LYD 1.687400
MAD 2.467907
MANA 3.977699
MBX 12.895149
MDL 4.571197
MGA 1,142.180439
MGF 5,710.902194
MINA 6.240087
MKD 14.079265
MKR 0.000184
MMK 559.854522
MNT 959.311284
MOP 2.153953
MRO 106.208455
MRU 10.620846
MTL 0.098002
MUR 12.525326
MVR 4.122322
MWK 460.280679
MXN 4.519361
MXV 0.515885
MYR 1.078074
MZM 17,017.153875
MZN 17.017154
NAD 4.293526
NEAR 0.152960
NEO 0.146507
NEXO 0.357096
NFT 946,853.411901
NGN 359.120094
NIO 9.784559
NLG 0.503071
NOK 2.487473
NPR 40.817574
NZD 0.448617
OKB 0.002605
OMR 0.102638
ONE 369.615178
OP 3.002420
ORDI 0.072435
PAB 0.266667
PAXG 0.000059
PEN 0.893535
PEPE 92,056.140267
PGK 1.197198
PHP 16.431657
PI 2.967392
PKR 73.719259
PLN 0.985924
POL 3.266804
PTE 45.766724
PYG 1,595.629616
QAR 0.970667
QNT 0.004513
QTUM 0.369436
ROL 11,976.619144
RON 1.197662
RPL 0.171479
RSD 26.788529
RUB 22.397457
RUNE 0.625226
RVN 102.293863
RWF 391.031278
SAND 6.456118
SBD 2.133431
SCR 3.868176
SDD 16,004.333238
SDG 160.043332
SEK 2.516625
SGD 0.339075
SHIB 56,280.155493
SHP 0.195983
SIT 54.705847
SKK 6.877267
SLE 6.109982
SLL 6,109.981856
SNX 1.300946
SOL 0.003143
SOS 151.234642
SPL 0.044444
SRD 10.081466
SRG 10,081.465633
SSP 1,511.723530
STD 5,629.431249
STN 5.629431
STX 2.044297
SUI 0.377854
SVC 2.333333
SYP 3,466.686213
SZL 4.293526
THB 8.755709
THETA 1.774222
TJS 2.445991
TMM 4,665.692123
TMT 0.933138
TND 0.772820
TOP 0.635236
TRL 12,787,870.133371
TRX 0.798339
TRY 12.787870
TTD 1.802605
TUSD 0.267067
TVD 0.375150
TWD 8.489822
TWT 0.666785
TZS 705.799149
UAH 11.910082
UGX 990.807851
UNI 0.072824
USD 0.266667
USDC 0.266607
USDD 0.266786
USDP 0.266949
USDT 0.266766
UYU 10.669447
UZS 3,132.087542
VAL 442.018405
VEB 20,700,529,473.6777
VED 206.541654
VEF 20,654,165.378812
VES 206.541654
VET 54.938710
VND 6,966.012115
VUV 31.541131
WAVES 1.352253
WEMIX 1.377900
WOO 24.175270
WST 0.718176
XAF 149.744130
XAG 0.003986
XAU 0.000059
XAUT 0.000060
XBT 0.000004
XCD 0.721851
XCG 0.477658
XCH 0.188229
XDC 9.586495
XDR 0.194737
XEC 38,032.015631
XEM 569.574185
XLM 1.552601
XMR 0.000624
XOF 149.744130
XPD 0.000201
XPF 27.241462
XPT 0.000148
XRP 0.240323
XTZ 1.224120
YER 63.218935
ZAR 4.293526
ZEC 0.000475
ZIL 109.704632
ZMK 4,995.453684
ZMW 4.995454
ZWD 96.506667
ZWG 7.112083
ZWL 17,771.135027

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Cities in Saudi Arabia 329
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'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.