What is the best time to visit Saudi Arabia?

The best time to visit Saudi Arabia depends on your priorities. Many travellers visit year-round, though spring and autumn typically offer pleasant weather and smaller crowds at popular attractions like Hegra. Check weather patterns for Asia before booking.

What currency does Saudi Arabia use?

Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi riyal (ر.س). Exchange at banks or airports, and withdraw from ATMs with your debit card. Credit cards are accepted in most tourist areas.

What food should I try in Saudi Arabia?

Kabsa is one of Saudi Arabia's most iconic dishes. Other must-try foods include Mandi and Harees. Eat where locals eat for the best experience.

How many countries can visit Saudi Arabia visa-free?

5 countries can enter Saudi Arabia without a visa. 69 more get a visa on arrival. Check the full list and your specific requirements above.

Is Saudi Arabia safe for tourists?

Saudi Arabia is generally safe for tourists with normal precautions. As in any country, stay aware of your surroundings, avoid displaying expensive items, and use registered transport. Check current government travel advisories before your trip.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , is a country in West Asia.

Capital

Riyadh

Language

Arabic

Currency

Saudi riyal (ر.س)

Population

35.3M

Timezone

UTC+03:00

Visa-free access

5 countries

Travelling to Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in West Asia. Located in the centre of the Middle East, it covers the bulk of the.

Saudi Arabia is located in Western Asia, Asia. The capital is Riyadh, and the official language is Arabic. The local currency is the Saudi riyal (ر.س). With a population of 35.3M, Saudi Arabia is a mid-sized country in Asia.

Saudi Arabia requires advance visa applications from the majority of travellers. Just 5 passport holders can enter without a visa. 69 more qualify for a visa on arrival. 106 nationalities can apply online through an eVisa portal. Everyone else — 17 countries — must apply at a Saudi Arabia embassy or consulate.

Top places to visit in Saudi Arabia

Hegra

The first UNESCO site in the Kingdom comprises 111 monumental tombs carved into sun-bleached limestone outcrops by the Nabataeans in the 1st century BCE; the tomb of Lihyan Son of Kuza stands 22 metres tall in isolated grandeur; visit at 4 pm when the western light ignites the rose-gold facades; the desert wind whistling through the sandstone canyons is the only sound in the silence.

Masjid al-Haram

The geographic epicenter of Islam surrounds the black-silk-draped Kaaba within a courtyard of massive marble scale; the seven minarets pierce the sky above the world's largest mosque; stand on the upper terrace during the Fajr prayer when the collective rhythm of thousands of worshippers moving in unison creates a physical vibration in the humid morning air; the scent of oud and musk is pervasive.

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi

The Prophet’s Mosque is defined by 250 massive teflon umbrellas that open like desert flowers to shade the white marble piazzas; the 19th-century Green Dome marks the resting place of Muhammad; enter the Rawdah at midnight when the hand-knotted green carpets and hand-hammered copper lanterns are bathed in a soft; emerald light; the hushed whispers of pilgrims create a dense; reverent atmosphere.

At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah

The 15th-century ancestral home of the House of Saud is a fortress-city of sun-dried mudbrick and Najdi architectural flourishes; the Salwa Palace dominates the skyline with its triangular decorative windows and heavy timber doors; walk the restored wadi edge at dusk when the walls turn the colour of burnt orange; the smell of dry earth and the sound of the evening call to prayer echo through the palm groves.

Al-Balad

A 7th-century labyrinth of coral-stone merchant houses adorned with intricate Roshan—hand-carved teak latticework balconies that catch the Red Sea breeze; the scent of roasted coffee and cardamom spills from the lower souks into the narrow sikkas; explore the alleys at 10 pm when the humidity lifts; the sound of traders bargaining in multiple dialects creates a saturated; living record of the Hejaz.

Maraya

The world’s largest mirror-clad building is a 5,000-square-metre architectural vanishing act in the Ashar Valley; its reflective surface creates a perfect; shifting duplicate of the jagged basalt and sandstone mountains; stand at the entrance at sunrise when the glass disappears entirely into the sky; leaving only the geometric shadow of the structure on the laterite-red sand; the effect is a clinical; surrealist masterpiece.

See all 20 places in Saudi Arabia →

What to eat in Saudi Arabia

Explore all Saudi Arabia dishes →

Saudi Arabia visa requirements

Visa-free

Visa on arrival

106

eVisa / eTA

Visa required

Countries that can visit Saudi Arabia visa-free

5 countries can enter without a visa.

Asia

United Arab Emirates

Visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia

69 countries can get a visa at the airport. Bring your passport, a photo, and cash for the fee.

Europe

Asia

Americas

Africa

Oceania

eVisa and eTA for Saudi Arabia

106 countries can apply online before travelling. Processing typically takes 1–7 business days.

Europe

Asia

Americas

Africa

Before you go to Saudi Arabia

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Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay. Saudi Arabia immigration may refuse entry otherwise.

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Proof of onward travel

Carry a return or onward flight ticket. Airlines and border officers may ask to see it before allowing you to board or enter.

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Visa on arrival

If arriving on a visa on arrival, bring passport photos and cash for the fee. Processing takes 15–60 minutes at immigration.

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Currency: Saudi riyal

The local currency is ر.س. Exchange major currencies at the airport or city banks. ATMs are widely available in urban areas.

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Language: Arabic

Arabic is the primary language. English is spoken in tourist areas and major cities.

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Power & connectivity

Check Saudi Arabia's plug type and voltage before packing. Buy a local SIM card at the airport for affordable data.

Power plug guide →SIM card guide →

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Check your visa for Saudi Arabia

Select your passport for an instant result.

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Saudi Arabia 7-day itinerary

AI-generated day-by-day travel plan.

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Explore Saudi Arabia

20 places, 5 dishes, and more.

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FAQ · Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia — your questions

It depends on your passport. 5 countries can enter Saudi Arabia visa-free. 69 more get a visa on arrival. 106 can apply for an eVisa online. Everyone else needs an embassy visa. Use the WorldCurio visa checker for your specific passport.