Hotels in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia spans 2.15 million square kilometers between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, home to Mecca and Medina, Islam's two holiest cities, and to AlUla, where 2,000-year-old Nabataean tombs at Hegra rival Jordan's Petra. The kingdom opened to leisure tourism in 2019, introducing e-visas for dozens of nationalities and turning a once closed destination into an accessible one.

Riyadh, Jeddah and the New Coastal Cities

Riyadh, the capital, mixes Najdi mud-brick heritage at Diriyah with the 300-meter Kingdom Centre Tower and the King Abdullah Financial District. Jeddah, on the Red Sea, keeps Al-Balad's coral-stone houses, a UNESCO World Heritage district dating to the 7th century, alongside the Jeddah Corniche. Further north, NEOM and the Red Sea Project are building resort infrastructure across a chain of islands and reefs slated to open through the late 2020s.

AlUla and the Empty Quarter

AlUla, 1,100 km northwest of Riyadh, sits in a sandstone valley where Hegra's 111 rock-cut tombs earned Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO listing in 2008. South and east, the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter) forms the largest contiguous sand desert on Earth, crossing into Oman, the UAE and Yemen, and drawing overnight camp stays and dune-driving trips from Riyadh and Al-Ahsa.

When to Visit

October through March brings daytime temperatures around 20-28°C in Riyadh and the Nejd interior, making this the practical window for desert camping, hiking in AlUla's canyons, and walking Jeddah's old town. Summer months regularly exceed 40°C away from the coast. The Hajj and Ramadan calendars shift each year by the Islamic lunar cycle, affecting hotel demand in Mecca and Medina specifically.

Practical Tips for Visiting Saudi Arabia

• Visa: Apply for the Saudi e-visa online; most tourist nationalities receive multi-entry approval within days.
• Dress code: Pack modest, loose clothing; women are not required to wear an abaya but should carry a light layer for mosques and conservative districts.
• Getting around: Use domestic flights between Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla; intercity distances exceed 900 km on several routes.
• Currency: The Saudi riyal is pegged to the US dollar; carry cash for smaller souks in Al-Balad and Diriyah.
• Alcohol: Not sold or served anywhere in the kingdom; plan accordingly for dining reservations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Saudi Arabia open to non-Muslim tourists? A: Yes, since 2019 the kingdom issues tourist e-visas to numerous nationalities for leisure travel outside Mecca and Medina, which remain restricted to Muslims.

Q: What is the best time to visit AlUla? A: October through March offers cooler daytime temperatures for exploring Hegra's tombs and the surrounding canyons on foot.

Q: How far is AlUla from Riyadh? A: AlUla sits roughly 1,100 km northwest of Riyadh, reachable by direct domestic flight in under two hours.

Q: Is alcohol available in hotels? A: No, Saudi Arabia prohibits alcohol sales and consumption nationwide, including in international hotel chains.