What comes to mind when you mention Saudi Arabia? Endless sands and deserts? Such a stereotype does not reflect all the beauty of this country. Amazing wonders of nature and history await travelers in Saudi Arabia: the colorful Red Sea, green oases, majestic mountains Asir and Baha, as well as magical sand dunes.
1. Dadan and Lihian: twin kingdoms
The ancient kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique culture of Saudi Arabia. These flourishing civilizations existed in the Al-Ula region since the Iron Age, beginning with the first millennium BC.
2. Annual Tantora festival
Tantora is an ancient sundial that served the residents of Al-Ula as a reference point for determining the change of seasons. The rays of the sun falling on the stone dial signaled the onset of winter and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle.
It is especially worth visiting Tantora in the period from December 19, 2024 to January 11, 2025, when the famous festival “Tantora Winter” takes place in the city.
3. Taj: garden of gold
The village of Taj, known as the “City of Gold”, is a real archaeological pearl of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. It is best to visit this place with an excursion group, where experienced guides-historians will tell about its most amazing finds, including the famous “Princess Taj”.
4. Wadi Lahab: refuge of the poet
Wadi Lahab is an impressive natural wonder hidden among the harsh landscapes of Jazan. Ancient legends are associated with this place: it is believed that it was here that the famous Arab poet Kais found solace, who wandered the desert, writing poems about his separation from his beloved Leila.
5. The Red Sea
The coast of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia is a magnificent natural treasure, occupying an area of 28,000 square kilometers. There are more than 90 picturesque islands, golden sandy beaches, endless desert dunes, sleeping volcanoes and majestic mountain canyons.
The unique reef system, which is the fourth largest in the world, attracts special attention. It serves as a home for more than 300 species of fish and rare animals, including the hawksbill turtle, which lives only in these waters.
