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Saudi Arabia travel: AlUla and the Red Sea
Nabataean tombs, sandstone canyons and coral reefs: Saudi Arabia travel in a country that has only just opened.
Saudi Arabia travel: a country that has only just opened
Until a few years ago, Saudi Arabia travel for tourism was almost impossible. Today two destinations attract those looking for places still little visited: AlUla, in the north-west, with Nabataean tombs and sandstone canyons, and the Red Sea coast, where the first resorts on islands and coral reefs are opening.
Here you will find the experiences worth the trip, verified practical information and the sources at the end.
Where to stay: the addresses we recommend
For Saudi Arabia travel, a short, deliberate selection, chosen for the place and for the way each hotel welcomes its guests. The cards below show availability on Booking.com, or the hotel’s own website when it is not listed there.
The «Check availability» buttons lead to Booking.com through affiliate links: if you book through them we may receive a commission from Booking.com, at no extra cost to you. No hotel has paid to be mentioned.
AlUla: experiences not to miss
Hegra, the country's first UNESCO site
Hegra, ancient Al-Hijr, became in 2008 the first Saudi site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The tombs of the Nabataeans, the same people who built Petra, are carved into sandstone outcrops; the best known is Qasr al-Farid, standing alone in the desert. Visits are booked on Experience AlUla, the official portal.
Elephant Rock and Maraya
Jabal AlFil, the elephant-shaped rock, is one of AlUla’s sunset spots. Not far away, Maraya is a concert and events hall clad entirely in mirrors, reflecting the canyon around it.
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Banyan Tree AlUla
Villas in a sandstone valley about 18 km from Hegra, with infinity pool and spa.
Why we chose it: to sleep inside the AlUla landscape.
Our Habitas AlUla
In the Ashar oasis, between the canyon walls: pool, spa, restaurant.
Why we chose it: the most informal atmosphere among AlUla’s resorts.
In the photo: the AlUla oasis.
Dar Tantora
A 30-room hotel built in rammed earth in AlUla old town, opened in 2024 (Kerten Hospitality, designed by Shahira Fahmy).
Why we chose it: to sleep inside the historic village, by candlelight.
In the photo: stone arches in AlUla old town.
Desert Rock
A resort carved into a granite mountain near Umm Lajj: 54 villas and 10 suites, bookable since 10 December 2024 (Red Sea Global).
Why we chose it: architecture that disappears into the rock.
Six Senses Southern Dunes
Among the dunes, about 50 km from Red Sea International airport: villas with pools, spa.
Why we chose it: wellness the Six Senses way, in the desert.
In the photo: a sunset over the Red Sea.
The St. Regis Red Sea Resort
On Ummahat island: villas on the dunes and over the water.
Why we chose it: a whole island on the Red Sea.
In the photo: a Red Sea beach.
The old town
AlUla old town is a cluster of mud-brick and stone houses, inhabited for centuries and now partly restored, with lanes, shops and cafés between the oasis and the canyon walls.
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The Red Sea
On the Red Sea coast, Red Sea Global is opening resorts on islands, dunes and mountains facing one of the country’s most extensive coral reefs. Among those already open is Desert Rock, carved into a granite mountain: bookings opened on 10 December 2024 and the resort has 64 keys, 54 villas and 10 suites, according to Red Sea Global.
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When to go
For AlUla the best months are usually October to March, with mild days and cool desert nights; it is also the season of events and the most sought-after bookings. In summer it is very hot, both in AlUla and on the coast.
Entry documents
Before any Saudi Arabia travel, check your documents. According to the Viaggiare Sicuri page of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (checked on 10 October 2026), for Italian citizens:
- a passport with at least 6 months’ remaining validity is required;
- an entry visa is required: for tourism it is applied for online on the official Visit Saudi portal;
- yellow fever vaccination is required only for travellers arriving from at-risk countries (not from Italy).
Requirements depend on your nationality and change often: always check your own government’s travel advice before leaving.
The Viaggiare Sicuri page also sets out the rules of conduct to respect in the country: it is worth reading before you leave.
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Frequently asked questions on Saudi Arabia travel
Do I need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
Yes: a passport with at least 6 months’ remaining validity and a visa, which for tourism is applied for online on Visit Saudi (Viaggiare Sicuri, 10/10/2026).
When should I go to AlUla?
Usually October to March, with mild temperatures; summer is very hot.
How do you visit Hegra?
With visits booked on the official Experience AlUla portal, best at dawn or sunset.
Is the Saudi Red Sea already open to tourism?
Yes, with the first Red Sea Global resorts, including Desert Rock; others are opening.
Sources: documents and visas, Viaggiare Sicuri (Saudi Arabia, checked 10/10/2026) and the Visit Saudi portal; Hegra, UNESCO (inscribed 2008); Desert Rock, Red Sea Global; videos, official Experience AlUla and Red Sea Global channels; photos, Wikimedia Commons (authors and licences on the Photo credits page).
Photos: Wikimedia Commons, cropped — authors and licences.
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