Arabia in four hours from Moscow
Direct flights to Riyadh (RUH) and Jeddah (JED). Aeroflot, Saudia. From Jeddah — closer to the Red Sea, from Riyadh — closer to AlUla and the desert.
Not oil and bans. The discovery of the decade.
Best fares
Hotels Saudi Arabia, from desert to city
Luxury camps in AlUla, design hotels in Riyadh and the first Red Sea resorts.
Regions, Saudi Vision 2030
When to go to Saudi Arabia
October–March is ideal: +20–28°C. In summer +45°C in the shade, going outside during the day is impossible.
Ready-made tours to Saudi Arabia
What you need to know before you go
eVisa to Saudi Arabia
Tourist eVisa is processed online in 1–2 days at visitsaudi.com. Cost — $140, valid 1 year, multiple entry. Sales.Travel assists with applications.
Money
Saudi riyal (SAR). Visa/Mastercard may not work — bring UnionPay or cash. Hotels and major malls usually accept cards. ATMs everywhere.
Conduct and dress code
Alcohol is completely prohibited. Public displays of affection are discouraged. Hijab is not mandatory for female tourists, but shoulders and knees should be covered. Friday is the day off.
Connectivity
eSIM Sales.Travel — 5 GB for 990 ₽, operates via STC and Mobily. VPN works freely. WhatsApp and Telegram — without restrictions. 4G coverage nationwide.
Must-try experiences
Hegra (ancient Madā'in Sālih) — the largest Nabataean settlement after Petra. Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO site (2008). 111 monumental tombs from the 1st century BC – 1st century AD, carved into freestanding pink sandstone rocks. Access only with a guide on organised tours (400 SAR ≈ 105 USD, 3 hours). Book through experiencealula.com 2–3 weeks ahead — visitor limit applies.
At-Turaif in Diriyah — ancestral seat of the House of Saud, capital of the 1st Saudi state (1727–1818). UNESCO site. Mud-brick towers and fortifications in traditional Najdi style. Night illumination 19:00–23:00 — especially beautiful in winter season. Entry 75 SAR (≈20 USD). 25 km from central Riyadh. Combine with Bujairi Terrace — traditional Arabian cuisine restaurants in open courtyard.
Yanbu and Umluj on Saudi Arabia's western Red Sea — pristine reefs with minimal diver traffic worldwide. Visibility 30–40 m, temperature +25–28°C year-round. Top sites: Seven Sisters reef (sea turtles, reef sharks), wreck of Iona (sunken ship). Dive operators — Pro Divers (Yanbu) and AAA Diving Centre. Year-round season, best — March–May, September–November.
Al-Balad — Jeddah's old quarter, UNESCO site. Multi-storey 19th-century houses of coral blocks with ornate wooden mashrabiya balconies. Labyrinth of alleyways, Uthman ibn Affan mosque (700 years), spice and fabric markets. Best in evening after 19:00, when heat subsides and streets come alive. Free entry. Souk al-Alawi café — coffee with cardamom and dates.
Rub al Khali (Empty Quarter) — the world's largest sand desert, 650,000 km². Empty Quarter dunes rise 250–300 m. Tours from Riyadh — 2–3 days by 4×4, with Bedouin guide, tent overnight, mansaf dinner over coals. From 3,500 SAR per person (≈930 USD) with Black Camel or Haya Tours. Stars without light pollution — extraordinary sky.
Kingdom Centre Tower (302 m) — Riyadh's signature skyscraper with distinctive arch at top. Sky Bridge on 99th floor (300 m) — observation deck with city panorama. Ticket 69 SAR (≈18 USD). Best time — one hour before sunset: daylight, golden hour and night lights in one visit. Nearby — Burj Rafal Tower, Kingdom Centre shopping mall with luxury brands.
Jarir in AlUla — traditional market in Al-Ula Old Town oasis. 40 date varieties: premium Medjool from 80 SAR/kg, Ajwa (medicinal) — 150 SAR/kg. Oud incense, rose oil from Taif, Kashmiri saffron. Best souvenir — premium Medjool date pack from Bateel or AlMunajem. Open daily 9:00–22:00.
Mangrove forests near Yanbu and Jeddah — ecosystem between sea and desert. Kayaking 2–3 hours at twilight: mangrove tunnels, mangrove crabs, silver fry. Perfect for photos. Tours from 250 SAR (≈65 USD) with guide and equipment. Best season — November–March. Sales.Travel organises via sustainable tourism concept.
Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil) and Seven Pillars — Al-Ula's main natural landmarks. Pink sandstone rocks, wind-carved, elephant shape visible from one angle. Perfect at sunrise (light +30 min before and +60 min after sunrise) — pink stone glows. Off highway 75, 10 min walk. Season November–March (day +25, night +10). Summer +45°C.