Until recently, Saudi Arabia was the world's most closed state; tourist visas simply didn't exist, making entry impossible. Everything changed in 2019 when the kingdom opened its doors to travelers, allowing us to witness a unique moment: an ultra-conservative country undergoing historical reforms and opening up to the world.
A Land of Contrasts.
- Petrol is cheaper than bottled water; locals often don't even turn off their engines when popping into a shop.
- Uber car interiors are often covered in plastic—seats, armrests, steering wheel—to keep them looking new for resale.
- Outside, houses are modest with high walls, but inside they are opulent palaces with columns and chandeliers. All luxury is kept private!
- Life pauses four times a day; during prayer times, even large malls and food courts close their doors.
A Quiet Revolution. Since 2018, women have officially been allowed to drive cars, obtain their own passports, travel without guardian permission, work, and attend football matches in stadiums. Interestingly, the cartoon "Masha and the Bear" is incredibly popular here, with Masha wearing a long dress and headscarf—an image perfectly aligned with local traditions.
Strictly No Alcohol. Alcohol is entirely prohibited, even on flights to the kingdom. Instead, mocktails and non-alcoholic beers from all major brands are widely available.
Surprising Natural Beauty. Saudi Arabia offers more than just the sandy dunes of the Rub' al Khali desert; it boasts a stunning diversity of landscapes, including:
The Red Sea — An Underwater Paradise. The Red Sea coast is home to one of the world's largest barrier reef systems, spanning 28,000 square kilometers of coral reefs. It supports over 265 coral species, with the total area of submerged reefs covering 6 million acres.
These are among the planet's healthiest and most pristine reef ecosystems. Over 90 islands remain completely wild, and the Farasan Islands—an archipelago of more than 170 islands located 40 km offshore—have become a sanctuary for endangered species, featuring mangrove forests and pristine white-sand beaches.
The ambitious "Red Sea Project" is transforming the coastline into a luxurious resort destination, offering overwater villas, diving amidst untouched reefs, and a unique blend of desert, mountains, and ocean experiences.
Asir Mountains — Saudi Arabia's Switzerland. In the country's southwest, near the Yemeni border, stands Jabal Sawda, Saudi Arabia's highest peak (3,015 meters). Juniper forests, cool air, and panoramic views completely defy the stereotype of a scorching desert.
It even snows here in winter! A cable car transports tourists to the summit, making the Asir region a popular destination for hiking and ecotourism.
What to See:
- Riyadh — highlights include the Kingdom Centre skyscraper with its skybridge, the "Edge of the World" canyon with 300-meter cliffs, and wild camels acting as "road owners" on the highways. Interestingly, camels even participate in beauty contests—a dozen were once disqualified for lip Botox. Seriously!
- Jeddah — the resort capital on the Red Sea, boasting the world's tallest fountain (312m), the tallest flagpole (171m), the historic Al-Balad district with carved balconies, and the famous kilometer-high tower slated to surpass the Burj Khalifa.
- AlUla — considered the main jewel, featuring cosmic landscapes reminiscent of Arizona, Elephant Rock, the ancient Madain Saleh necropolis with the "Lonely Castle" Qasr al-Farid, the mirrored Maraya concert hall, and spectacular shows of hundreds of synchronized drones above the desert.
Facts to Note:
- The border with Jordan, according to legend, was created due to Churchill's hiccup: his hand twitched, and the kingdom acquired a piece of land still jokingly referred to as "Winston's Hiccup."
- The world's most valuable company is not Apple or Google, but the oil giant Saudi Aramco.
- With 60% of its population under 30, Saudi Arabia is an incredibly young nation.
Saudi Arabia in 2026:
- Tourism has soared: the kingdom has already welcomed over 100 million guests, with eight of its sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage.
- In the first quarter of 2026 alone, 28.9 million Saudis traveled within the country—a record for domestic tourism.
- The sector now contributes approximately 4.9% to the GDP, with no signs of slowing down.
- Excellent news for international travelers: visas for Russians have been abolished, and winter-spring 2026 marked the first test season for direct flights to Jeddah.
- The number of Russian tourists is growing, although travel costs remain significantly higher than average.
- In June 2026, the new national carrier Riyadh Air took to the skies, with its inaugural flight departing for London.
- A few days later, the airline also launched domestic routes to Jeddah.
- The renowned "kilometer-high" Jeddah Tower is finally under construction: work resumed in January 2025 at the 63rd floor.
- By July 2026, construction had surpassed the 108th floor, with completion slated for August 2028.
- However, the ambitious NEOM futuristic project faced cutbacks: The Line city was reduced from 170 km to a modest 2.4 km.
- Work on it has been suspended until at least after 2030.
- The women's revolution continues: over 35% of women are now employed in the economy—an historic record for the kingdom.
- AlUla, virtually unheard of a couple of years ago, has become a tourist hotspot, attracting 2.1 million guests in the first quarter of 2026.
- In November-December, AlUla will host the AlUla Skies festival, featuring air shows and concerts.
- Meanwhile, the tourism industry is undergoing "Saudization," with locals increasingly filling tourism-related jobs.
- However, the ultra-luxury tourism strategy encountered setbacks, and the kingdom is now learning to cater not only to sheikhs but also to the middle class.
Saudi Arabia in 2026 is a nation undergoing historic transformation: concerts after decades of prohibitions, women driving and in offices, new airlines, and monumental construction projects. From juniper-filled mountains to the Red Sea's coral reefs, from ancient necropolises to futuristic skyscrapers—it has it all, and now is the most fascinating time to visit: the world is changing before your very eyes, and you can witness it firsthand.
