The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an Arab state in western Asia. Saudi Arabia exhibits marvelous oasis, unending dunes, frozen mountain tops, exalted rivers, culture, and heritage. The country can be explored for its natural beauty from the Red Sea coast. There are many beautiful towns and hill stations amidst the mountains in the south, for example, Taif. Besides, there are surreal structures of rocks in the town of Al Ula, which is also known as the gateway to Madain. The cosmopolitan capital of Riyadh, the city center of Jeddah, and Dammam in the east are home to superb restaurants, traditional markets, attractive malls, and more. The holy cities of Makkah and Madinah are significant Islamic religious sites. They are the historic landmarks that are visited by millions of people every year.
Bounded with interesting historical and cultural sites, the cultural and historical places in the Saudi Kingdom make it an ideal destination for every traveler to add to the bucket list. Let’s read more about the top 10 Tourist places in Saudi Arabia.
Masjid al-Haram and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi
Located in Makkah, Masjid al-Haram is also known as the Great Mosque. It surrounds the holy Kaaba, which is the site of Hajj or Umrah. Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is located in Madinah. It was established by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and is the second-largest mosque in the world. The mosque houses the Prophet’s tomb and also of prominent Islamic leaders, Umar, and Abu Bakr.
Al Balad
Founded in the 7th century, Al Balad is a UNESCO heritage site. It is a historic city centre in Jeddah. It is popular for its historic buildings, mosques, markets, and narrow lanes. Since the historic gate of Bab Mecca is located at the entrance of the holy city of Makkah, Al Balad is also known as the gateway of Makkah. It also served as the meeting point for pilgrims where they used to gather before beginning their journey together.
Al Baqi
Located in Saudi Arabia’s Hejaz region, this is the oldest Islamic cemetery known as Jannat Al-Baqi. This archival site is of great relevance as Prophet Muhammad’s close relatives and companions are said to be entombed in this cemetery.
Al Rahma Mosque
One of the popular tourist attractions of the city of Jeddah Saudi Arabia is the Al Rahman Mosque. It is also known as the floating mosque’, as this magnificent mosque is built on water and seems to be floating. It looks beautiful during the high tide.
Masmak Fortress
Al Masmak – meaning high, strong, and thick building, is made up of clay and mud brick. It is located in Ad-Dirah Riyadh. The fort is a great reminder of Saudi Arabia’s storied history. The fort has served many purposes with the Battle of Riyadh, which took place in the year 1902. The fortress was converted into a museum in 1995 and tells you about the history of Saudi Arabia.
Elephant Rock
The Elephant Rock is Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also known as Jabal AlFil, the elephant rock is an art-rock formation that resembles an elephant with its trunk touching the ground. As per archaeologists, this geological marvel is a result of millions of years of wind and water erosion.
Edge of the World
Edge of the World was originally called Jebel Fihrayni. Located outside the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia it is the best place for meditation, trekking, hiking, and rejoicing in the glory of Riyadh. The cliff has been named Edge of the World due to the never-ending view of the horizon which one can see from the top of the cliff.
Umluj
Umluj is a small city which is located towards the northwest of Saudi Arabia 150 km north of Tabuk. The city is popularly known as the Maldives of Saudi Arabia because the 104 islands that it contains are known for their beautiful beaches.
Rijal Almaa
Rijal Almaa is the capital of the Rijal Almaa Province. This village is located in the Asir Region. There is a natural corridor linking Makkah, Madinah, Yemen, and Levant which makes this village a centre of regional commercial significance. The village is believed to be more than 900 years old and has about 60 palaces built from natural stone, clay, and wood.
World Sights Park
World Sights Park is a great family destination in Riyadh. This park houses dummies of some of the famous architectures and landmarks of the world. Here, you will find replicas of the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, the Petronas Tower, the Prophet’s Mosque, and Al-Masjid al-Haram.
The historical and cultural places listed above are among the few destinations that are deep-rooted in Islamic and Arabian traditions. While planning a trip to the Kingdom these historical sites should be put on the itinerary.
