Filter places to visit across Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, Khobar, Abha and the Red Sea by category and budget, with fees, best times and field tips.
Checked against official sources: November 2026
Makkah The Grand Mosque around the Kaaba, the direction of prayer for Muslims worldwide and the place where Tawaf and Sa'i are performed.
Field tip Note the gate number you entered by and photograph it. Most lost pilgrims are simply looking for the wrong gate.
Open in Google Maps (21.4225, 39.82611)
Makkah The mountain holding Cave Hira, where the first revelation came. The climb is steep, with about 1,000 uneven steps. The Hira Cultural District sits at its foot.
Field tip Start after Fajr and carry water. By 10am the rock holds the heat and the path gets narrow with people coming down.
Open in Google Maps (21.45806, 39.86139)
Makkah South of the Haram, the mountain where the Prophet and Abu Bakr sheltered during the Hijrah. A harder and longer climb than Jabal al-Nour.
Field tip Most visitors see it from the road. Only attempt the climb if you are fit, and never alone in the heat.
Open in Google Maps (21.3775, 39.85083)
Makkah The closest point outside the Haram boundary, used by people already in Makkah who want to enter ihram for another Umrah.
Field tip Shuttle buses and taxis run from around the Haram. Agree the taxi fare first, or use a ride-hailing app.
Open in Google Maps (21.46833, 39.80048)
Makkah The plain where pilgrims stand on the Day of Arafah, the central rite of Hajj. Outside Hajj it is quiet and open to visitors.
Field tip Combine Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina in one Ziyarah drive. A car for three hours is far easier than separate taxis.
Open in Google Maps (21.35472, 39.98389)
Makkah The valley of white tents where pilgrims stay during Hajj and stone the Jamarat, about 7 km from the Haram.
Field tip Outside Hajj you drive past most of it. The Jamarat Bridge is the part worth slowing down for.
Open in Google Maps (21.41333, 39.89333)
Madinah The Prophet's Mosque, the second holiest site in Islam, with the Rawdah inside and giant courtyard umbrellas that open for shade.
Field tip The courtyard umbrellas open around sunrise and close before sunset. Stay for it once, it is a quiet moment worth seeing.
Open in Google Maps (24.46833, 39.61083)
Madinah The first mosque built in Islam, about 3.5 km south of the Prophet's Mosque. Praying two rak'ahs here carries the reward of an Umrah.
Field tip Make wudu at your hotel and come mid-morning, once the tour buses have gone and before Dhuhr fills it.
Open in Google Maps (24.43917, 39.61722)
Madinah The site of the Battle of Uhud, with the graves of Hamza and the martyrs. Archers' Hill, the small rise opposite, is a short walk.
Field tip Go early. By late morning the coaches arrive together and the viewing area gets crowded.
Open in Google Maps (24.52273, 39.61826)
Madinah The Mosque of Two Qiblas, where the direction of prayer changed from Jerusalem to Makkah.
Field tip Pair it with the Seven Mosques. They sit about 3 km apart, on the same side of the city.
Open in Google Maps (24.48409, 39.57891)
Madinah Small mosques near the trench of the Battle of Khandaq, led by Masjid al-Fath. Most of the historic buildings have been renovated.
Field tip A guide adds a lot here. Without the story of Khandaq it can look like a few small buildings by a road.
Open in Google Maps (24.4772, 39.59497)
Madinah The historic cemetery beside the Prophet's Mosque, resting place of many Companions and family of the Prophet.
Field tip Access is usually for men, at set times after Fajr and Asr. Women are generally not admitted, so plan around that.
Open in Google Maps (24.4669, 39.6164)
Madinah The restored Ottoman terminus of the Damascus to Madinah line, with a small museum and old locomotives.
Field tip A good pause for children between mosque visits. It is a short drive from the Haram.
Open in Google Maps (24.46167, 39.60019)
Riyadh The UNESCO-listed mud-brick birthplace of the first Saudi state, restored with galleries and walking routes.
Field tip Arrive 45 minutes before Maghrib. The walls turn gold, and the tour groups are heading to dinner at Bujairi.
Open in Google Maps (24.73299, 46.57338)
Riyadh Eight galleries run from pre-Islamic Arabia to the unification of the Kingdom, in the King Abdulaziz Historical Centre.
Field tip Give it two hours and start at the top gallery. Murabba Palace next door is included in the same walk.
Open in Google Maps (24.64572, 46.71086)
Riyadh The clay fort at the heart of old Riyadh, recaptured by King Abdulaziz in 1902, now a compact museum.
Field tip Look for the spearhead still lodged in the main door, then walk five minutes to Souq Al Zal.
Open in Google Maps (24.63111, 46.71333)
Riyadh A 300-metre-high viewing bridge over Al Olaya, on top of a large shopping mall.
Field tip Book the last slot before sunset to see the city in daylight and lit up on one ticket.
Open in Google Maps (24.7113, 46.6744)
Riyadh Sheer Tuwaiq escarpment cliffs about 90 minutes north-west of Riyadh, with long desert views.
Field tip The last stretch is rough track. Go with a 4x4 and a second car, or book a guide. There is no shade or railing.
Open in Google Maps (24.95004, 46.00264)
Riyadh Riyadh's glass financial quarter, with shaded walkways, restaurants and a metro interchange.
Field tip Take the metro in. The station itself, by Zaha Hadid Architects, is one of the best buildings here.
Open in Google Maps (24.76569, 46.6407)
Riyadh The old market near Masmak for oud, bisht cloaks, carpets, antiques and spices.
Field tip Shops close for prayer times. Come after Asr and leave room to bargain, especially on carpets.
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Jeddah The UNESCO-listed old town of coral-stone houses and carved wooden rawashin balconies, with working souqs.
Field tip Enter from Bab Makkah after Maghrib, when the lanes cool down and the street food stalls are in full swing.
Open in Google Maps (21.48333, 39.18333)
Jeddah A white mosque on stilts over the Red Sea at the North Corniche.
Field tip At high tide it really does appear to float. Visitors should dress modestly and check the entry rules at the door.
Open in Google Maps (21.64871, 39.10082)
Jeddah About 30 km of Red Sea waterfront with walking paths, sculpture, play areas and cafes.
Field tip The newer central stretch has the best paths. The evening breeze makes even summer nights comfortable.
Open in Google Maps (21.63351, 39.10416)
AlUla Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, with over 100 monumental Nabataean tombs cut into sandstone.
Field tip There is no ticket desk at the site. Book through Experience AlUla before you travel, and pick the first slot of the day for soft light.
Open in Google Maps (26.79167, 37.95278)
AlUla A 50-metre sandstone arch shaped like an elephant, with low seating set out in the sand around it.
Field tip Stay after sunset. The seating is lit low, and it is the calmest evening in AlUla.
Open in Google Maps (26.6892, 37.9816)
AlUla Capital of the ancient Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms with lion tombs, and Jabal Ikmah's open-air library of inscriptions.
Field tip Reserve the two together. Jabal Ikmah is small, but the inscriptions are the part people talk about afterwards.
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AlUla Hundreds of mud-brick houses from around the 12th century beside a palm oasis, with AlJadidah arts street close by.
Field tip Walk up to the castle at sunset for the view over the roofs, then eat on AlJadidah.
Open in Google Maps (26.6089, 37.9236)
AlUla The world's largest mirrored building, a concert hall reflecting the Ashar Valley.
Field tip Access to the area depends on events. Check the Experience AlUla calendar before you make the drive.
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Khobar & Eastern Province The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, with a museum, library, children's zone and cinema near the first commercial oil well.
Field tip Book the Children's Museum slot first and build the visit around it. It sells out at weekends.
Open in Google Maps (26.33541, 50.12057)
Khobar & Eastern Province The Gulf waterfront with lawns, cycling paths, and the landmark Khobar water tower nearby.
Field tip On a clear evening walk the southern stretch, then eat in the Prince Turki Street cafes.
Open in Google Maps (26.28333, 50.2)
Khobar & Eastern Province A sheltered curved bay about 30 minutes south of Khobar, with shallow water suited to children.
Field tip Bring shade and water if you use the free stretch. Beach resorts charge, but give you changing rooms.
Open in Google Maps (26.17375, 50.03717)
Khobar & Eastern Province A UNESCO-listed oasis of over two million palms, with cool limestone caves in Jabal Al-Qarah and the Qaisariah souq in Hofuf.
Field tip Inside the caves it stays cool even in summer. It is about 90 minutes from Khobar, or take the train from Dammam.
Open in Google Maps (25.42944, 49.62194)
Abha & Asir Multi-storey stone towers with white quartz trim stacked in a green valley, with a family-run local museum.
Field tip The road down from Abha has steep bends, so hire a confident driver or take the Al Soudah cable car when it runs.
Open in Google Maps (18.2125, 42.27361)
Abha & Asir Juniper forests and viewpoints around 3,000 metres, some of the highest ground in the Kingdom.
Field tip Carry a light jacket even in August, and expect the fog to roll in by mid-afternoon.
Open in Google Maps (18.272, 42.372)
Abha & Asir The mountain capital of Asir, known for the painted Al-Qatt Al-Asiri tradition, Art Street and a mild summer.
Field tip Tuesday is market day at Souq Al-Thulatha, the best place for honey and local coffee.
Open in Google Maps (18.21694, 42.50528)
Red Sea Coast A protected archipelago off Jazan with coral reefs, mangroves, gazelles and old Ottoman buildings.
Field tip The ferry from Jazan is popular on weekends. Reserve your seat early, and your car too if you bring one.
Open in Google Maps (16.8, 41.85)
Red Sea Coast A quiet coastal town with shallow turquoise lagoons and islands, reached by day boats.
Field tip Agree the boat price and return time on the quay before you board, and take your own lunch and shade.
Open in Google Maps (25.33333, 37.41667)No places match those filters.
Seven to ten days covers Riyadh, AlUla and Jeddah without rushing. Add three days for Umrah or a summer stop in Abha.
Modest, loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees is appropriate. Foreign women are not required to wear an abaya or headscarf outside religious sites, but mosques require full modest dress.