Saudi Arabia The land of sand and camels, and oil
The once-reclusive kingdom has thrown open its doors to the world and is ready to give you a welcome as warm as the Middle Eastern sun. Sure, there are still a few hurdles to consider but the desert kingdom is home to rugged mountains, ancient cities and coastlines that come without the crowds of Dubai. Yet chances are it won’t be Saudi’s sites that you remember the most but the small things – such as listening to the call to prayer while watching the sunset over the terracotta desert.
Where it is
Middle East
When to go
October to March
Why go there
Desert landscapes
Fascinating history
Futuristic cities
What to see
Riyadh
Hegra
Jeddah
Souks and skyscrapers
Riyadh is a modern city steeped in history and Cosa can show you both sides: the capital’s traditional souks as well as its soaring skyscrapers, and the 302-metre tall Kingdom Centre.
Tombs of rock
The historic trading region of AlUla is home to the rock-cut tombs at Hegra, built in the 1st Century AD by the Nabataeans, the same tribe behind Petra in Jordan. An unmissable desert highlight.
Traders and pilgrims
Jeddah, Saudi’s second city, has an old town packed with tower houses and carved balconies. For centuries it’s been a port for merchants and pilgrims going to Mecca.
The Edge of the World
A dramatic rock escarpment with unforgettable views of the Saudi desert, and it can only be reached by 4X4 tour. So let Cosa take you to The Edge of the World.
Travel in Saudi Arabia
Historically the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hasn’t been a mainstream tourist destination but Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud has been busy opening up the country since his rise to power in 2017. Tourist visas became available to 49 countries, women were granted the right to drive and international music festivals were held for the first time. Yet this is still an Islamic country where swearing, homosexuality, alcohol and public displays of affection are prohibited so try to avoid offending local sensibilities.
Saudi Arabia facts
This country is big (the 13th-largest country in the world and the fifth-largest in Asia) and empty – 95% of Saudi Arabia is desert, so no surprise that this is the biggest nation without a river. The kingdom was founded in 1932, shortly before the first discovery of oil, and it currently has the planet’s second-largest oil reserves. Not forgetting the thousands of camels: around 100 camels are said to be sold in Saudi’s capital, Riyadh, every day, although it’s the oil that gets exported.
Time zone
UTC +3
Flight time
6 hours from Switzerland
Local currency
Saudi Riyal
Dialling code
+966
