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Saudi Arabia

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View from the Al-Faisaliah (Globe) tower, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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Overview

If there is a final frontier of tourism left, it's Saudi Arabia. The birthplace and spiritual home of Islam, Saudi Arabia is rich in attractions and stirring symbolism. For Muslims, the cities of Mecca and Medina, rich in Prophetic significance, have no equal, while the carved temples of Madain Saleh, known as the second Petra, and the sophisticated rock art at Jubbah are the Kingdom's greatest pre-Islamic treasures.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Madain Saleh

    Madain Saleh

    Northern Saudi Arabia

    Often dubbed the 'second Petra', Madain Saleh, for many, is on a par with – if not more impressive than – its famous cousin across the border in Jordan…

  • Masmak fort in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Masmak Fortress

    Riyadh

    Surrounded by sand, this squat fortification was built around 1865 and is like a scene out of the movies: a big fortress representing an empire. It was…

  • Prophet’s Mosque

    Saudi Arabia

    One of only two mosques in the world that can accommodate a million people, the Prophet’s Mosque holds deep significance for Muslims all over the world…

  • Pearl Merchants' Neighbourhood

    Saudi Arabia

    Staring at the mesmerising geometric and floral designs of the carved patterns that adorn the houses and arched gateways of Farasan's former pearl…

  • Students in square at National Museum, Riyadh, Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia

    National Museum

    Riyadh

    This state-of-the-art museum is one of the finest in the Middle East. Encased within modernist architecture, its two floors contain eight well-designed…

  • Empty Quarter

    Saudi Arabia

    The 'Abode of Silence', or the Empty Quarter, covers almost 655,000 sq km and evokes all that was romantic and forbidden for European adventurers, such as…

  • Jeddah, SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi women shop at a grocery in the Souq al-Alawi market in the old town of Jeddah 29 December 2005. The market is the biggest market in Saudi Arabia where hundreds of thousands of Muslims from different countries have so far arrived for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca which begins on January 7. AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI (Photo credit should read BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images)

    Souq Al Alawi

    Jeddah

    This souq runs off Al Dahab St and is the most extensive in the Kingdom. The market stalls cut into the heart of the old city and buzz with the activity…

  • Al Masjid Al Haram

    Mecca

    The focal point for every Muslim and the biggest mosque in the world, Al Masjid Al Haram is able to host a million worshippers and covers an area of 356…

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Saudi Arabia and beyond

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