World Guide

Saudi Arabia

Country · Asia, Western Asia

Kaaba
Pictured: Kaaba · Photo: Aiman titi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Saudi Arabia is a country in Western Asia with a population of about 37 million and an area of 2.25 million square kilometers. Its capital is Riyadh. The country offers a range of cultural and historical sites, including several UNESCO World Heritage locations.

Highlights

This guide covers 22 notable sights across the country. Major cities include Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, and Jeddah. Religious sites are significant, such as the Kaaba, Masjid al-Haram, the Prophet's Mosque, Quba Mosque, Al-Baqi Cemetery, Mount Arafat, Maqam Ibrahim, Mount Uhud, Mina, Jannat al-Mu'alla, and Masjid al-Qiblatayn. Historical and cultural locations include Hegra, Al-Ahsa Oasis, Al-Balad in Jeddah, and the At-Turaif District, all of which hold UNESCO status. Other points of interest are the Kingdom Centre, Murabba Palace, Deera Square, King Fahd's Fountain, and the Sindalah development.

Food and drink

Kabsa is a common dish found in Saudi Arabia.

When to go

The climate at the capital, Riyadh, features very hot summers with daily highs reaching 42 °C in July and August. Winters are cooler, with January daily highs of 19 °C and lows of 7 °C. Rainfall is minimal throughout the year, with the highest levels occurring in March at 29 mm.

Practical notes

The currency is the Saudi riyal. The official language is Arabic. The country uses 220 V electricity with type G plugs. Traffic moves on the right side of the road. The time zone is UTC+03:00.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Saudi Arabia

  • Kabsa

Top sights in Saudi Arabia

  1. KaabaKaabaMecca
  2. Masjid al-HaramMasjid al-HaramMecca
  3. Prophet's MosqueProphet's MosqueMedina
  4. Quba MosqueQuba MosqueMedina
  5. Al-Baqi CemeteryAl-Baqi CemeteryMedina
  6. Mount ArafatMount ArafatMecca
  7. Deera SquareDeera SquareRiyadh
  8. UNESCOHegra
  9. Al-Ahsa OasisUNESCOAl-Ahsa Oasis
  10. SindalahSindalahNeom
  11. Kingdom CentreKingdom CentreRiyadh
  12. Maqam IbrahimMecca
  1. Mount Uhud · Medina
  2. Mina · Mecca
  3. Jannat al-Mu'alla · Mecca
  4. Masjid al-Qiblatayn · Medina
  5. Al-Balad, Jeddah · JeddahUNESCO
  6. Murabba Palace · Riyadh
  7. King Fahd's Fountain · Jeddah
  8. At-Turaif DistrictUNESCO
  9. Al Masmak Palace · Riyadh
  10. Qaryat al-FawUNESCO

UNESCO sites in Saudi Arabia →

Weather by month

The warmest month is July, with an average high of 42 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C192327333941424239342721
Average low, °C791319242627272419149
Rainfall, mm12929205000011014
Rainy days212200000021

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Riyadh (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

Neighbouring countries and territories