Unmissable Saudi Experiences for US Travelers

Golden deserts, futuristic cities, and a culture rooted in centuries of tradition — few places offer a journey as rich and varied as Saudi. Whether you’re craving adrenaline-pumping adventures, serene luxury, or family-friendly exploration, this guide will show you why now is the perfect time to visit Saudi and discover its most unforgettable highlights.

Nature & Adventure Experiences in Saudi

If you’re looking for adventures and amazing landscapes, visit Saudi and dive into its wild side. From swinging over vast canyons to floating above ancient deserts in a hot air balloon, there is so much to explore!

Swing off the side of a canyon 

The towering sandstone rocks of AlUla – the sprawling desert region in Saudi’s northwest – make for perfect adventure territory, with hiking, dune buggying and rock climbing among the activities available. Shift things up a gear at the Adventure Hub, where you’ll find abseiling and via ferrata and zip-lining over a giant, biscuit-hued canyon. It’s also home to the AlUla Stairway, a 45-metre-high suspended ladder, and the Giant Swing, which will have you freefalling and swinging into the canyon from an 85-metre-high ledge. 

Go hot air ballooning over the desert

Floating in a hot air balloon over AlUla’s extraordinary, magma-like rocks is an incredible experience. Hero Balloon Flights offers private and shared sunrise flights, taking you soaring above canyons and tombs etched by centuries. What better way to learn about this living museum? 

Embark on a 4×4 safari in the Sharaan Nature Reserve 

AlUla has several protected nature reserves – among them Harrat Uwayrid, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and the Sharaan Nature Reserve. Copper-red canyons and swathes of honeyed sand make up the landscape of Sharaan.

Book a 4×4 tour to explore its wildlife, keeping an eye out for the Arabian ibex, mountain gazelles, red-necked ostriches and wolves. An ambitious plan to re-introduce the critically endangered Arabian leopard means these creatures will once more roam the plains.

Luxury Escapes & Wellness Retreats

From overwater villas and desert spas to gourmet dining under the stars: Visit Saudi to experience the combination of world-class hospitality and breathtaking natural surroundings.

Lounge on the Red Sea shores at Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve 

The extraordinary shell-inspired architecture at this exclusive island hideaway is a real eye-catcher. 

In the water, vibrant untouched coral makes it an exceptional spot for diving, and guests can go kayaking, sailing on solar-powered boats and windsurfing. With four restaurants overseen by former Michelin-starred chef Lucas Julien-Vauzelle, cuisine is a highlight. 

Dine in style at Banyan Tree AlUla

Check into a tented pool villa at Banyan Tree AlUla where you’ll find a standout spa and two first-class restaurants specialising in Middle Eastern and Thai cuisine. Try the 150-minute Royal Banyan spa treatment and consider a destination dining experience, where you can enjoy a barbecue in a Bedouin tent or a romantic meal for two in the Ashar Valley’s secluded Dove Canyon. 

For an evening to remember, book one of the destination dining experiences, where you can enjoy a barbecue in a Bedouin tent or a romantic meal for two in the Ashar Valley’s secluded Dove Canyon.

Try a wellness programme at Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea 

Six Senses Southern Dunes is built on a plateau with views over the Khuff dunes to mountains and the distant sea. Mindfulness sessions, fitness classes and locally inspired spa treatments form part of the wellness offering. Book a sleep programme designed by renowned sleep doctor Michael J. Breus and get hands-on at a workshop at the Alchemy Bar, where you can create your own scrub, hair or face mask. 

Guests can also expect plenty of healthy cuisine, focussing on local ingredients. The resort is an hour from the new Red Sea International Airport.

Romantic Things to Do When You Visit Saudi

Whether it’s stargazing in the desert, dining in a centuries-old town, or escaping to a secluded island, Saudi offers countless ways to connect and unwind together. Collect unforgettable moments made just for two.

Overnight on an island

Consider staying overnight on a private island. In the nearby Ummahat archipelago is the St Regis Red Sea Resort and Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Both feature overwater villas and offer standout dining and exceptional service in idyllic surroundings.

Visit a traditional Bedouin camp in the desert

Closer to Riyadh, there’s plenty more in the way of memorable desert experiences. If you fancy learning about Bedouin culture, book a tour to explore the reddish dunes by camel. Tuck into a traditional Bedouin lunch and dinner and hear tales around a campfire beneath a star-lit sky. Silhouetted hills make for an unforgettable backdrop.  

Stroll the ancient streets of Diriyah 

Diryah, 25 minutes from central Riyadh, is the birthplace of the Saudi state. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features historic mud-brick houses and honey-coloured ruins. Visit the 19th-century Masmak Fortress, which juts up like a giant sandcastle, and browse the Salwa Palace, built as the home of the state. Afterwards, browse the Souq-al-Zal, one of Riyadh’s oldest markets, where you’ll find antiques, rare coins, musical instruments and more. 

See the ‘Floating Mosque’ and have dinner in the sky

For an equally romantic amble, head to Jeddah’s Corniche, an attractive waterfront promenade lined with sandy bays and leafy parks and restaurants. Stroll to the north end to see the Al Rahmah Mosque (or Floating Mosque), which hovers above the Red Sea on pillars. 

Visit at sunset when the water is flecked with gold and then head to Al Malaki Lounge Terrace at the Rosewood for sumptuous seafood and Wagyu steak with sweeping ocean views.

Dine in AlUla’s atmospheric Old Town

In AlUla’s atmospheric Old Town, lanterns bathe the streets in golden light and the meditative sound of the oud (Arabic guitar) plays softly in the background. Occupied from the 12th century until the 1980s, the Old Town is known for its traditional mud-brick dwellings, many of which have been preserved and converted into boutiques and restaurants. For a romantic meal, head to Somewhere, which serves Saudi fusion dishes in twinkling, palm-dappled surroundings. 

Stay at the heart of it, book a few nights at Dar Tantora. This beautifully designed eco-hotel is built into a collection of restored mud-brick houses, with cosy wood-beamed ceilings and candle-lit rooms for a romantic, homely retreat.

Family Fun & Cultural Discoveries

If you’re planning a trip with kids in tow, visit Saudi for a blend of thrill, learning, and unforgettable bonding moments. From futuristic attractions to ancient wonders, there’s something here to spark every child’s imagination — and grown-ups will love it too.

Level Up at the Esports World Cup 2025

Power up your summer with the Esports World Cup, landing in Riyadh from July 7 to August 24, 2025. This isn’t just another tournament—it’s the largest esports event ever staged, drawing top-tier global talent and electrifying crowds from around the world. Cheer for your favorite teams, explore immersive gaming zones, catch live performances, and dive headfirst into a lifestyle and pop culture celebration like no other. EWC 2025 transforms Riyadh into the ultimate destination for competitive gaming and next-level entertainment.

Immerse yourselves in digital art in Jeddah’s historic district 

If you’re in Jeddah’s historic district, take the family to teamLab Borderless. This immersive, digital art museum uses interactive technology to lead you through ‘artworks without boundaries’, with plenty of playful, interactive rooms to keep kids as well as adults engaged. It’s a surreal experience that’s well worth a visit.

Discover an ancient kingdom at Dadan  

AlUla is also home to a cluster of ancient archaeological sites that are ideal for older, more curious kids. Among them is Dadan – an ancient city that lay buried beneath the sand for more than 1,000 years and was one of the wealthiest cities in Arabia. 

Today you can visit on a guided tour, exploring rock-cut tombs marked out by lion sculptures and other recent excavations, as you learn more about its genuinely fascinating (and still little-known) history.

Explore Hegra

For more in the way of educational visits, head to Hegra – the region’s crowning glory and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where 111 giant, intricately carved tombs perch above the desert. Book a 4×4 tour to see its highlights, including the 72ft-tall Tomb of Lihyan.

From heart-pounding adventures to luxurious retreats and family-friendly fun, Saudi is a destination full of surprises. Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, or with loved ones, each moment offers something special. So pack your bags, open your mind, and get ready to visit Saudi — a land where ancient culture and modern living meet.