Best Places to Visit in Saudi Arabia in 2026
If you think Saudi Arabia is all about dry, dusty deserts, think again because visiting Saudi Arabia is like an once-in-a-lifetime experience. Saudi Arabia is now open for tourists, inviting them to discover its beautiful nature and rich culture. Want to have a fantastic trip? You’ll be amazed to see what Saudi Arabia has for you. They’ve made it easier for people to travel there, with new places to see and a simple visa process. In this blog post, I’ve mentioned some of the top places in Saudi Arabia that you might want to visit.
Why Visit Saudi Arabia in 2026
Planning a trip to Saudi Arabia? Great! Let me share some good news with you: you can now get a visa online, and big cities have new buses, hotels, and exciting places to visit. They are also building huge new places, like the Red Sea Project, right next to old, historic sites. If you want to visit the top places in Saudi Arabia in 2026, you are in for an adventure. You’ll see a mix of old and new things, with activities that everyone can enjoy.
Top Tourist Destinations in Saudi Arabia for 2026
Riyadh – The Modern Capital
What if I told you about a place to visit where the past and future meet? Go to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, which is the perfect example of this, and you’ll thank me later. It’s a busy place for business. You can see tall buildings like the Kingdom Centre Tower, from where you can get an amazing view of everything. If you love history, you can also visit the National Museum to learn about the country’s past. You can also visit a special town called Diriyah near the city. This is where Saudi Arabia began. They are building new restaurants and museums there, and it will be ready in 2026. Hey foodies, listen up! If you love food, Riyadh has many choices, from traditional Saudi dishes to food from all over the world.
Jeddah – Gateway to the Red Sea
Want to know what makes Jeddah special? Jeddah is a big city on the Red Sea, and it’s the main stop for people going to Makkah for their religious journey. The city has a long walking path by the water called the Jeddah Corniche. You can walk, see art, and look at the sea here. If you visit the older part of the city, known as Al-Balad, you can see old houses made from stone and wood. Jeddah is also a great place for diving and water sports, where you can see beautiful coral and sea life in the Red Sea.
AlUla – Ancient Wonder
What if you could travel back in time? In AlUla, Saudi Arabia, you can! AlUla is a beautiful place in Saudi Arabia that people love to visit. It has big, rocky mountains and wide, sandy areas. Did you know about its famous spots like Hegra, which is also known as Mada’in Salih? It’s a special place recognised by UNESCO, with large tombs carved right into the rock, similar to the ones in Petra, Jordan. AlUla also has fun events, like a festival with music and other things to do outside. Because the land is so pretty, it’s a great place for walking, and who doesn’t love to take photos of a beautiful place, so take lots of photos here and spice up your insta feed.
Abha and the Asir Region – Mountain Escape
The city of Abha is in the cool, green mountains of Saudi Arabia’s southwest. It’s a great spot to visit during the summer. You can hike in Asir National Park, see the unique stone houses of Rijal Almaa village, and explore local art and markets in the city. The mountains are green in the summer, and people grow food on them in a special way called “terrace farming”. You might have heard about these things, but you can see them for yourself. And if you want to have fun, you can go to the Asir National Park. You might even see some animals. Don’t forget to visit the old village of Rijal Almaa, which has amazing buildings made of stone. In Abha, you can also see beautiful local art and find special things at the old markets.
Cultural and Religious Tourism
Makkah
Who doesn’t know that Makkah is the most important city for Muslims all around the world? It’s a holy place where Muslims go for their Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage. Besides its religious importance, the city also has museums and historical sites to visit. The city has been improving its travel and hotel services for the many people who visit because of its religious and historical importance.
Muslims from all around the world visit this place, including the UK, USA, Canada, and many more countries, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. So if you are from the USA and are planning to perform Umrah in Ramadan, you’d better check out Ramadan Umrah deals from the USA, so you can have a well-organised journey. Also, don’t forget to add Saudi Arabia’s other amazing cities to your itinerary, so you have the best holiday ever.
Madinah
Madinah is a very important city for Muslims because it has the Prophet’s Mosque (called Al-Masjid an-Nabawi). You can also find museums and old places, if you want to learn about the early history of Islam. Some areas are only open to Muslims. But don’t worry, there are still lots of fun and interesting places nearby that everyone can visit.
Last Thoughts
Hey, thinking about a trip in 2026? Think of no other country than Saudi Arabia. For Muslims, it’s like a cherry on top because they can perform their religious ritual and have a fun holiday at the same time. But don’t panic if you are not a Muslim, because Saudi Arabia is full of tourist attractions that’ll leave you in awe. You can see new, modern cities and also very old places like the rock tombs of AlUla. You can also find amazing nature. Want to go swimming? The Red Sea is perfect. Or, if you like mountains, the villages in Asir are beautiful. It’s a great time to visit because the country is showing all these different sides of itself to the world.
