Sights in Saudi Arabia
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Al-Tayibat City Museum for International Civilisation
Don't be put off by the grandiose name: Al-Tayibat City Museum for International Civilisation definitely merits a visit. The vast palace contains over 300 rooms crammed with a collection built over a local merchant's lifetime.
The four-floor collection ranges from exquisite Islamic manuscripts and old coins to stunning furniture and pottery (some of it bought from international art houses). Exhibits are accompanied by good captions and information panels, as well as a few dioramas.
Note that, unfortunately, it can't open for less than 10 people; try and form a group or telephone to join one.
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Madain Saleh
If you can only visit one place in Saudi Arabia, make it Madain Saleh, which rises up from the sands in a landscape of rare beauty. Madain Saleh is home to 131 tombs, 45 of which carry inscriptions in late Aramaic script above the doors. A permit is required but most hotels and tour operators can arrange one if you fax them your details a week in advance.
The Nabataeans, who carved the astonishing city of Petra (in Jordan) chose Madain Saleh as their second city. Although the tombs are less spectacular here than those in Petra, the landscape of sweeping sand and wonderful rock formations is stunningly beautiful. The tombs are also in an excellent state of preservation,…
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A
National Museum
The state-of-the-art National Museum is without question one of the best museums in the Middle East. Its eight floors contain well-designed, engaging and informative displays on Arabia's history, culture and art, including beautiful, original rock carvings, models and even a full-scale reconstruction of a Nabataean tomb.
Films (in English via headphones) shown on 180° screens complement the exhibits, as do virtual visits to sites and other excellent interactive displays.
It's great for a sneak preview of the Kingdom's attractions, a sum-up, or a virtual visit if you don't have time to get to places. Don't miss it.
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Al-Faisaliah Tower
Designed by British architect Norman Foster and built in 2000 by the Bin Laden construction company, Al-Faisaliah Tower was the first of the startling new structures to rise above Riyadh's skyline. It's most famous for its enormous glass globe (24m in diameter and made of 655 glass panels) near the summit.
On its 34 floors can be found a five-star deluxe hotel and four exclusive restaurants, offices, apartments, the Sky shopping malland a fabulous viewing platform. The tower's needlepoint pinnacle (with a crescent on the tip) sits 267m above the ground.
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Kingdom Tower
Riyadh's newest landmark, the Kingdom Tower is another stunning piece of modern architecture. Known as the 'necklace' for its unusual apex, it's particularly conspicuous at night when the upper sweep is lit with constantly-changing coloured lights.
Rising 302m above the ground, its most distinctive feature is the steel-and-glass, 300-tonne bridge connecting the two towers. High-speed elevators fly you (at 180km/h) to the 99th floor Sky Bridge. If you're feeling peckish, the tower is also home to some reputable restaurants, including Spazio 77.
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B
Naseef House
Sadly, Jeddah's old coral houses are in a very sorry state. Almost unique among the sea of dilapidation, however, is the restored Naseef House, which once belonged to one of Jeddah's most powerful trading families. It's set back from souq al-Alawi.
Look out for the wide ramps installed by King Abdul Aziz in place of staircases so that camel-mounted messengers could ride all the way to the upper terrace in order to deliver messages. The house is also home to the General Directory for Culture and Tourism in Jeddah.
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C
Fish Market
The colourful and frenetic fish market is located in Al-Balad, just over 1km south of the Red Sea Palace Hotel. It's well worth a wander if only to admire Saudi's Red Sea riches - there's at least 50 species of fish on display ranging from hammerhead sharks to grouper, parrot fish and squid.
Don't miss, if you can, the daily auction of the morning's catch (from 05:00 to 09:00), when the place really lights up. Note that as the market's situated close to the Coast Guard and Port, photos are not permitted.
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Souq al-Alawi
Souq al-Alawi, which runs E off Al-Dahab St, is the most extensive and traditional souq in the Kingdom. With wonderful old houses towering skyward, the market stalls cut into the heart of the old city and buzz with the activity of traders and pilgrims from across the sea and desert in much the same way it has for more than a millennia. The atmosphere is especially cosmopolitan during the haj season. Try and be here at sunset when the call to prayer fills the lanes - this is Arabia at its best.
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National Museum
The state-of-the-art National Museum has eight galleries that provide a grand sweep through the episc of Arabia's history. There are reconstructed Dilmun tombs, fragments of rock art, and models of old Dir'aiyah, Jeddah and the holy mosques in Mecca and Medina.
What makes this museum stand out are the push button prompts, virtual visits to ancient sites, small-screen cinemas and audio commentary in English and Arabic at many points.
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Habalah
This deserted village, a fascinating remnant of old Arabia, is like no place on earth. The scenery from the ascending cable-car rates among the best views you'll see in the Kingdom. Leave behind the modern terracing and drinks stalls; the best preserved houses are 100m (328ft) north and south of the cable car station. Look for the carved interior doors.
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Shallaby Museum of Traditional Handicrafts & Hejazi Heritage
For those who have neither the time nor the energy to face Jeddah's 'Louvre' (aka Al-Tayibat City Museum for International Civilisation), try the Shallaby Museum of Traditional Handicrafts & Hejazi Heritage, with a good collection of coins, silver antiques (look out for the silver-plated wedding slippers) and traditional Bedouin clothes.
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D
Shorbatly House
Sadly, Jeddah's old coral houses are in a very sorry state. Shorbatly House boasts some lovely mashrabiyya (balconies with perforated screens to allow the air to circulate). Though much restored to something approaching its original state in the 1980s, it has since been allowed to deteriorate once again.
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Beaches
Sadly, some of Jeddah's best stretches of sand are now covered in concrete. What's left often disappoints. Many beaches are swamped by beachgoers at weekends, along with their sand buggies and jet skis. Some five-star hotels have their own private beach.
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Kingdom Tower Sky Bridge
High-speed elevators fly you (at 180km/h) to the 99th floor Kingdom Tower Sky Bridge, from where the views are breathtaking (photos are allowed). Avoid weekends and evenings after 18:00 when it can get very crowded.
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E
Murabba Palace
Built by King Abdul Aziz in 1946, Murabba Palace is most impressive for its formidable white-washed walls than for anything much within. Largely empty (albeit labelled) rooms surround a central courtyard.
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F
Masmak Fortress
Masmak Fortress is Riyadh's most significant historical monument. It was built around 1865 on the site of an earlier fortification and has been extensively restored to its pre-Saud days.
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Al-Faisaliah Tower Viewing Platform
On the 34th floor of Al-Faisaliah Tower can be found a fabulous viewing platform. The tower's needlepoint pinnacle sits 267m above the ground.
reviewed
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Madain Saleh
If you can only visit one place in Saudi Arabia, make it Madain Saleh, which rises up from the sands in a landscape of rare beauty. Madain Saleh is home to 131 tombs, 45 of which carry inscriptions in late Aramaic script above the doors. A permit is required but most hotels and tour operators can arrange one if you fax them your details a week in advance.
The Nabataeans, who carved the astonishing city of Petra (in Jordan) chose Madain Saleh as their second city. Although the tombs are less spectacular here than those in Petra, the landscape of sweeping sand and wonderful rock formations is stunningly beautiful. The tombs are also in an excellent state of preservation,…
reviewed
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Corniche
Do as the Saudis long have and take a walk along the 35km-long corniche, particularly on a warm, summer's night. You'll get a real sense of what Jeddah is all about, as well as life in the Kingdom today. Students sit cross-legged and stooped over books, families share picnics spread on rugs, men gather to gossip and cut commercial deals, and young men meet to play cards and show off their latest car.
Look out for the famous Corniche sculptures that line the wide pedestrian areas for 30km north from the port. Subjects range from the mundane to the miraculous; from anchors and boats to giant sunflowers squirting water; elongated and fragmented camels to a boat made entirely…
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Radisson SAS Hotel Private Beach
Some five-star hotels have their own private beach. The Radisson SAS Hotel allows nonguests to use its beach and facilities for around SRIs50 per person per day.
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