Seven Stunning UNESCO Sites to Add to Your Saudi Travel List
From rock-carved cities to lush oases, Saudi's UNESCO treasures will leave you with no choice but to extend your stay in the Kingdom.
From ancient trade routes to landscapes that stretch back millennia, Saudi Arabia's UNESCO World Heritage Sites aren't just relics of the past—they are portals to worlds forgotten by time. Whether it's the rock-carved tombs of Al-Ula standing as silent witnesses to a bygone civilization, or the untouched beauty of the Ḥimā Cultural Area, where desert dunes meet ancient petroglyphs, each site offers a chance to step into the past, feel the echoes of ancient civilizations, and experience nature at its most raw and untamed. Now that we've set the stage, here's a closer look at the UNESCO treasures that make Saudi Arabia's history and landscapes truly unforgettable. Hegra Archaeological Site
Tucked away in the northern deserts, the Kingdom's first World Heritage Site is a captivating Nabataean city, much like Petra in Jordan, with stunning rock-cut tombs and ancient inscriptions dating back to the 1st century BCE. At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah
📍Riyadh
The birthplace of the first Saudi dynasty, this historical district of 15th-century mud-brick palaces and forts once served as the political and cultural center of the Arabian Peninsula. Al-Ahsa Oasis
One of the largest oases in the world, Al-Ahsa has been a thriving agricultural hub for thousands of years, famed for its ancient irrigation systems, lush palm groves, and thriving culture.
Al Balad (Historic Jeddah)
Known for its well-preserved coral architecture, vibrant souks, and buzzing cultural scene, Jeddah's historic district has been a key port for the Hajj pilgrimage for centuries, acting as a gateway to Makkah. Rock Art in the Ha'il Region
Featuring thousands of rock carvings covering 10,000 years of history, these prehistoric art pieces paint a picture of early human life and biodiversity in the Arabian Peninsula. Ḥimā Cultural Area
Famous for its ancient rock art and inscriptions, this site gives a glimpse into the development of human civilization in the Arabian Peninsula over 7,000 years and is one of the Kingdom's best-kept secrets. 'Uruq Bani Ma'arid Protected Area
Celebrated for its rich biodiversity and conservation efforts, including the successful reintroduction of the Arabian oryx, this is Saudi Arabia's first natural UNESCO site.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CairoScene
a day ago
- CairoScene
Surreal Stargazing Spots Across the Middle East & Beyond
Surreal Stargazing Spots Across the Middle East & Beyond From Egypt's chalk deserts to Jordan's red cliffs, these are the regional skies that can silence your thoughts. When the noise of the world fades and the cities fall behind, a different kind of beauty takes hold. It's the hush of wind through dunes, the rustle of date palms, the quiet hum of being very small beneath something very vast. In the remote corners of the Middle East and North Africa, night doesn't fall—it rises. And with it comes a dazzling canopy of stars, unspoiled by city lights or the rush of time. Whether you're dreaming of desert silences or mountain stillness, here are 10 breathtaking places across the region where you can lie back, look up, and let the stars do the talking. Wadi Rum, Jordan Nicknamed the 'Valley of the Moon,' this iconic desert is pure stargazing magic. Towering red cliffs, Martian landscapes, and zero light pollution make it one of the clearest skies on Earth. Whether you're camped in a Bedouin tent or stretched out on warm sand, the stars here don't just appear—they perform. Siwa Oasis, Egypt In a world that rarely stops moving, Siwa feels like a pause. Surrounded by sand dunes and salt lakes near Egypt's western border, the oasis has a gentle silence that's mirrored in its night skies. The Milky Way stretches wide here, as if to say: stay a while. White Desert, Egypt Where else can you stargaze beside surreal chalk formations that glow ghost-white under moonlight? The Farafra White Desert is a dreamscape by day and a cosmic theatre by night—where planets, constellations, and the occasional meteor streak across a backdrop of sculpted silence. Fayoum Desert, Egypt Just two hours from Cairo, Fayoum feels like another planet. Fossil beds, sand dunes, and whispering winds by day give way to star-streaked skies at night. It's the perfect place to rediscover wonder—no telescope needed. Saint Catherine, Sinai, Egypt Nestled high in the mountains of South Sinai, this sacred site offers altitude, clarity, and an almost mythical sense of calm. After a sunrise hike up Mount Sinai, stay for the night sky: crisp, cold, and brimming with stars. AlUla, Saudi Arabia Beyond its ancient tombs and golden cliffs, AlUla's night skies remain vast and untouched. The stars stretch endlessly above Nabataean ruins, while meteor showers carve silver arcs overhead. It's stargazing steeped in history and silence. Jebel Shams, Oman They call it the 'Mountain of the Sun,' but when darkness falls, Oman's highest peak reveals a galaxy-strewn sky. At 3,000 meters, you're practically eye-level with the stars—ideal for deep, still, soul-stirring stargazing. Ras Al Jinz, Oman Best known for its nesting sea turtles, this coastal reserve also boasts some of Oman's most dramatic skies. Picture this: waves lapping at your feet, the moon tracing silver on the sea, and constellations climbing out of the horizon. Erg Chebbi, Morocco This golden dune sea near Merzouga is a stargazer's paradise. With only firelight and sand for miles, the stars here are piercingly clear—especially on moonless nights when the Milky Way dances across the Moroccan sky. Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan Perched above the Great Rift Valley, this nature reserve is home to rare wildlife by day and endless stars by night. With its remote trails and high cliffs, Dana is a place to unplug completely—and reconnect with the cosmos.
CairoScene
3 days ago
- CairoScene
Top Hajj Hospitality Centres Honoured With New Excellence Award
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched the Ekram Excellence Award to encourage innovation and service quality among hospitality centres serving Arab pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj season. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched the first edition of the Ekram Excellence Award for the 2025 Hajj season, a new initiative aimed at recognising outstanding hospitality centres affiliated with Ekram Al-Dayf—a division of Ashraqat company focused on serving Arab pilgrims. The award seeks to promote administrative and operational excellence among Hajj service providers, aligning with the ministry's broader Vision 2030 objectives and the Pilgrim Experience Program. By highlighting performance benchmarks and best practices, the initiative aims to foster healthy competition and improve service delivery during the pilgrimage. In addition to operational quality, the award criteria emphasise innovation, social responsibility, and volunteer engagement. These standards reflect a commitment to sustainable development and elevate the role of hospitality centres in shaping the overall pilgrim experience.
Egypt Today
3 days ago
- Egypt Today
All Egyptian pilgrims return home within one week amid regional escalation
File- The first group of Egyptian pilgrims of this year, 2023, boarding the plane to Saudi Arabia- press photo CAIRO – 20 June 2025 – Amid ongoing military escalation in the region between Iran and Israel, all Egyptian pilgrims who traveled through tourism companies for Hajj have safely returned home from Saudi Arabia within a single week. Samia Sami, Assistant Minister for Tourism Companies and Head of the Official Egyptian Hajj Tourist Mission, stated that the pilgrimage concluded in record time due to the regional situation. A total of 80 tourist buses, carrying approximately 7,500 pilgrims, departed smoothly from Mecca and Medina and traveled via the Halat Ammar land crossing on the Saudi-Jordanian border, continuing through the Jordanian port of Aqaba and arriving at Egypt's Nuweiba port. Sami noted that the Central Emergency Operations Room—established by the Hajj mission under ministerial directives—closely monitored all bus movements from Saudi Arabia to Egypt. This was done in full coordination with Saudi, Jordanian, and Egyptian authorities to ensure a safe and organized return. She emphasized that the success of this expedited operation was made possible through continuous coordination between all relevant agencies across the three countries. As a result, the entire overland pilgrimage concluded without significant delays or congestion. Sami expressed her deep appreciation to the authorities and agencies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the Arab Republic of Egypt. She also extended gratitude to the Chamber of Travel and Tourism Companies and Agencies, and to the tourism companies responsible for organizing this year's overland Hajj trips, for their swift response and effective collaboration with the mission. Regarding pilgrims returning via air travel, Sami confirmed that arrangements are ongoing to facilitate their return on scheduled flights. The final groups are expected to arrive within the coming days, with continued efforts to ensure their comfort and safety throughout the process.
