Saudi Arabia

Good to know

1. 1Saudi Arabia is home to Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities in Islam. Entry to Mecca is reserved for Muslims, and the same applies to the central area of Medina around the Prophet's Mosque.
2. 2Arabic is the official language, and the Arabic spoken in the Hejaz in the west sounds a little different from the Najdi dialect of the central region around Riyadh. English is widely used in hotels, airports and restaurants in the larger cities.
3. 3The country has several UNESCO World Heritage sites, among them Hegra (Mada'in Salih), a Nabataean tomb city carved into sandstone, and the old district of Diriyah near Riyadh, the birthplace of the first Saudi state.
4. 4Coffee is a ritual here. Arabic coffee is lightly roasted, flavoured with cardamom and poured in small cups, usually with dates, and it is a sign of hospitality wherever you are offered it.
5. 5Kabsa, a dish of spiced rice with chicken, lamb or sometimes fish, is often called the national dish. Regional cooking varies, and the Red Sea coast leans more on seafood and spices.
6. 6The currency is the Saudi riyal, and the working week runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Friday the main day of prayer.

Tips for a first visit

• Dress modestly in public: loose clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is the sensible default for both men and women. Check current guidance on dress before you go, as customs have been relaxing in some places.
• Card payments are very common in cities, but carry a little cash for small shops and rural areas.
• Alcohol is not sold in the country, so plan on drinking tea, coffee, fresh juices and the many non-alcoholic drinks on offer.
• Prayer times shape the day, and some shops close briefly while people pray. Plan errands around them rather than against them.
• Distances are long, so pick a few regions rather than trying to see everything in one trip.
• If you are invited for coffee or a meal, accept if you can, and use your right hand when eating or taking a cup.

When to go

The cooler months from about November to March are the most comfortable for most of the country, with warm days and pleasant evenings, and cold nights in the desert and mountains. Summer is extremely hot across much of the interior and the coast, so plan indoor activities or head for the cooler highlands of the southwest around Abha. Spring and autumn are good in-between times, though they can bring dust storms.

Getting around

Most people cover long distances by plane, as domestic flights link Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, Abha, AlUla and other cities. There is also a high-speed train between Mecca, Jeddah and Medina, and a separate railway line connecting Riyadh with the east. Within cities, taxis and ride-hailing apps are the usual choice, and renting a car is common for desert and mountain areas.