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rom jaw-dropping mountain scenery to eye-popping under-water encounters, Saudi is the next must-see, unexplored destination for nature lovers seeking unique experiences, whether on foot or behind the wheel, on land or at sea.

Go on a sea safari

Grab a snorkel and you’ll be wowed by Saudi’s underwater world, which is teeming with sea-life. Wade into the warm waters of the Red Sea from resorts such as Haql to see lionfish just metres from the shore, while among the reefs you’ll spot eels, barracudas and sand tiger sharks. Swim with hammerhead sharks in Yanbu, the ‘Pearl of the Red Sea’, and see turtles, clownfish and maybe even a bull shark at Sharm Obhur. Jeddah boasts some incredible dive sites, where you’ll see octopus, turtles and lobsters among large sea fans and colourful corals, while spinner dolphins can be spotted off the Farasan Islands.

Project Director: Tom Warner Commissioning Editor: George Clode Editor: Laura MacBeth Senior Designer: Loraine Fajutag Images: Visit Saudi, Getty Images, Shutterstock and Alamy

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Dive into Saudi’s natural world and discover an unexpected dreamland of scenic beauty

The Tuwaiq Mountain is a symbol of Saudi strength that can be seen from 800km away

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from coast to mountains

For an unforgettable nature-based road trip, take the scenic route from Riyadh to the central region of Qassim, known as ‘Saudi’s food basket’, and watch the scenery change from fiery red sand dunes to a green oasis sprouting date palms, oranges, lemons, grapes, mandarins and pomegranates. Stop at Old Shaqra for a stroll among the ancient mud structures, perfectly shaded by palm trees. Alternatively, start your road trip in Jeddah and drive along the scenic west coast and up the rugged Sarawat mountains to Taif, ‘the city of roses’, where you’ll be greeted by a carpet of pink petals in the spring before they’re harvested for perfume houses, such as Chanel. To reach even greater heights, take the meandering road from Abha (known as the ‘Pearl of Saudi’ for its majestic mountain scenery) to the stunning stone town of Rijal Alma. For a longer trip, drive the 300-plus miles along the west coast from Jizan to Al Lith to soak up breathtaking views of the Red Sea and dramatic desert dunes, stopping at pristine beaches along the way.

Coniferous forests, parkland and unspoiled wilderness await in Asir

You might not expect to see snow in Saudi, but Jabal al-Lawz (Almond Mountain) is blanketed in white almost every winter. It’s worth visiting for its ancient elephant-like carvings.

Jabal al-Lawz, Tabuk

Surrounded by sandstone cliffs, dotted with rocky pillars and lined with palm trees, this dramatic valley also hosts several archaeological sites, including facades of Nabataean tombs.

Wadi Al Disah, Tabuk

A blend of craggy rocks and sweeping sand dunes, this desert valley is home to Lake Kharrarah, known as the Lake of Liquid Light, a peaceful retreat nestled among tangerine-hued hills.

Al Kharrarah National Park, Riyadh

Arabian sights – see Saudi in colour

From the surreally bright lilac jacarandas of Abha to the snow-white mountains of Tabuk and the dappled sea green of Lake Kharrarah, Saudi's diverse terrain comes in many hues. Here are just some must-view sites – don't forget to pack your camera

Every spring, Taif blooms with roses from valley to mountain, which are harvested for perfume.

Kaleidoscopic sunsets off the Qassim shoreline are not to be missed

Wind your way up the dramatic, jagged Sarawat Mountains

Qassim

JEDDAH

Taif

Old Shaqra

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A drive through Alhada reveals some of the most spectacular views in Saudi

Insta-tastic hikes

Nowhere offers such vastly contrasting scenery as Saudi, where you can be hiking through blazing desert one day and trekking up snowy mountains the next. Walking the AlUla mountain trail past volcanic rocks covered with carvings from the Lihyanite and Dadanite eras feels like stepping through ancient history, while a night-time trek along AlUla’s Hidden Valley allows you to glimpse starlight through the desert canyons. In the mountainous, southwest Asir region, take the 15km trail to the peak of Jabal Al Soudah and you’ll be rewarded with bird’s eye views of green juniper forests. Also in Asir, the ancient mountain village of Al Habala is another must-see – once only accessible by rope, it’s known as the Hanging Village, built as it is on a steep cliff face. Take a cable car and enjoy this unique view into Saudi’s past, as well as incredible vistas of the surrounding mountains. For the most Insta-worthy sunsets, hike to the top of Moon Mountain, north of Jeddah, where you’ll also see exotic rock formations created over millions of years. Only 45 minutes from Riyadh, you can follow the twisty, steep 1km-long Caravan Trail (Aba AlQid) to a plateau where you can soak up views of Tuwaiq Mountain. Hiking the zig-zagging ancient Camel Trail in the Alhada Mountains, you’ll spot baboons and beautiful rose fields, a stark contrast to the barren landscape of the vast, jagged lava field of Harrat Khaybar, where two white ash volcanoes and an eerie black one, known as the Black Widow, can be explored on foot.

Focus on: the Farasan Islands

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The wild side of Arabia

There are no lions, elephants, rhino or buffalo here, but the Saudi ‘big six’ are a sight to behold. Top of the list is the elusive Arabian leopard, one of the world’s rarest animals, which exists in small pockets in the Hejaz and Sarawat mountains. Just as prized is the elegant Arabian oryx, which can be spotted in the Farasan Islands. The regal, tuft-eared caracal, also known as the desert lynx, is found in the Raydah, Majami'al-Hadb and Jabal Shadah reserves. A small handful of pale sand gazelles can be seen on the edges of the Nafud Desert in the north of Saudi, while much easier to spot is the Hamadryas baboon, which lives in large numbers near the cities of Taif and Abha. Found along the western coast of Saudi, the common genet is a striking green-eyed creature known for the unusual noises it makes – a ‘click’ means ‘go away’, a hiccup is ‘hello there’!

A nature lover’s paradise

Hareed (Parrotfish) Festival

Mid-April sees the arrival of shoals of pretty parrotfish in the shallow waters of Al-Hasis beach, which is celebrated with a festival of singing, drums and dancing.

Scuba-diving

Home to some of the best dive spots in the Persian Gulf, the Farasan Islands are where you’re most likely to spot whale sharks, especially between May and June.

Bird life

Mangrove forests provide a marine sanctuary for myriad birds such as sooty falcons, pink-backed pelicans, red-billed-tropic, white-eyed gulls and flamingos.

Marine Life

More than 200 species of marine creatures can be seen here, including whale sharks, dugongs, manta rays and lobster; if you’re lucky you might spot green and hawksbill turtles.

Flora and Fauna

These 84 coral islands are famous for their rich underwater life, subtropical shores and beautiful beaches surrounded by mangrove forests and fossils.

Falcons

Arabian birds

Don’t be surprised to see falcons travelling first class in Saudi, they’re among the most prized possessions in Arabia, but there are more than 500 other species here, including the Arabian spotted eagle-owl, the Arabian shining sunbird and the Asir magpie. The peak of Mount Soudah in the Asir mountains is the place to spot the rare Verreaux’s (black) eagle, while in the coastal areas you’ll see extraordinary crab plovers and pink-backed pelicans as well as flamingos and other species. Al Asfar Lake, known as Yellow Lake, is a twitcher’s treat, with almost guaranteed sightings of birds such as little grebe, Eurasian moorhen, Kentish plover and great cormorant. To see the most beautiful falcons, look out for tickets to the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival held by Saudi’s Falcon Club in Riyadh, 2022 dates to be confirmed.

Arabian spotted eagle-owl

Crab plovers

Flamingos

Moon Mountain

Jabal Al Soudah

JEDDAH

ASIR

ALULA

Riyadh

Tuwaiq Mountain

AlUla is a rich historical landscape filled with amazing geological wonders

Enjoy far-stretching ocean views on a drive along the Jizan coast

Red Sea

JEDDAH

Farasan Islands

TABUK

Spot majestic marine wildlife on an underwater adventure

Haql

GETTY IMAGES

Yanbu

Sharm Obhur

Sarawat mountains

Abha

Rijal Alma

Al Lith

Jizan

Taif

Sarawat mountains

Abha

Farasan Islands

Majami'al-Hadb

Hejaz

JEDDAH

RIYADH

Jabal Shadah

Nafud Desert

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GETTY IMAGES

Sociable Hamadryas baboons, elegant oryx and sleek Arabian leopards are among the beautiful animals that make up the Saudi “Big 6”

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ALAMY

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Arabian shining sunbird

These colourful long-billed birds can be found in rocky or sandy areas and dry river beds

Hypnotic bright yellow or orange eyes and tufty ears are the striking characteristics of this species

These unmistakeable shorebirds use their heavy bills to crack open crustaceans and other invertebrates

These strong birds have been an integral part of Bedouin history for 10,000 years

Renowned for standing on one leg, the flamingo is one of the country’s most prolific birds

PARTNER CONTENT

You might not expect to see snow in Saudi, but Jabal al-Lawz (Almond Mountain) is blanketed in white almost every winter. It’s worth visiting for its ancient elephant-like carvings.

Jabal al-Lawz, Tabuk

Surrounded by sandstone cliffs, dotted with rocky pillars and lined with palm trees, this dramatic valley also hosts several archaeological sites, including facades of Nabataean tombs.

Wadi Al Disah, Tabuk

A blend of craggy rocks and sweeping sand dunes, this desert valley is home to Lake Kharrarah, known as the Lake of Liquid Light, a peaceful retreat nestled among tangerine-hued hills.

Al Kharrarah National Park, Riyadh

The majestic sandstone formations of Tabuk make for even more dramatic sights and shapes as you gaze at the sparkling skies. Head to Wadi Al Disah in the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Natural Reserve – a beautiful, untouched valley boasting crystalline streams, flowing springs, and lush palm trees.

Tabuk

Marine Life

More than 200 species of marine creatures can be seen here, including whale sharks, dugongs, manta rays and lobster; if you’re lucky you might spot green and hawksbill turtles.

Bird life

Mangrove forests provide a marine sanctuary for myriad birds such as sooty falcons, pink-backed pelicans, red-billed-tropic, white-eyed gulls and flamingos.

Scuba-diving

Home to some of the best dive spots in the Persian Gulf, the Farasan Islands are where you’re most likely to spot whale sharks, especially between May and June.

Hareed (Parrotfish) Festival

Mid-April sees the arrival of shoals of pretty parrotfish in the shallow waters of Al-Hasis beach, which is celebrated with a festival of singing, drums and dancing.

From its diverse terrain to its thriving art and music scene, Insta-worthy food and natural wonders to travel for, Saudi is ready and waiting for you to discover. For more incredible, off-the-beaten track ideas for sites to see, experiences to try, and places to stay, check out Visit Saudi

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Head to Al Habala for more stunning views and visit the ancient Hanging Village

From the top, you can camp overnight and enjoy incredible views of Taif

With verdant forested terraces and a stunning waterfall, Khairah Forest Park is the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature and outdoorsy pursuits. Camp overnight and enjoy spotting unusual birds, insects, and the Saudi tree frog.

Khairah Forest Park, Al Baha

Thousands of jacaranda trees fill the streets of Abha, capital of the southwestern Asir province, with splendid lilac flowers and a heady scent, which is at its most fragrant during damp weather

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Abha, Asir

Thousands of jacaranda trees fill the streets of Abha, capital of the southwestern Asir province, with splendid lilac flowers and a heady scent, which is at its most fragrant during damp weather

Abha, Asir

Khairah Forest Park, Al Baha