Day 1. Riyadh – Masmak & National Museum
Arrive in Riyadh. Visit Masmak Fortress and the National Museum of Saudi Arabia. Evening at Souk Al Zal. Overnight in Riyadh.
8 DAYS
Legacy of the
Saudi Arabian
Kingdom
Day 2. Riyadh – Diriyah & Kingdom Tower
Diriyah UNESCO site in the morning. Kingdom Tower sky-bridge observation deck in the afternoon. Overnight in Riyadh.
Day 3. Al Ula – Elephant Rock & Arrival
Fly to Al Ula. Check in and late afternoon at Elephant Rock. Overnight in Al Ula.
Day 4. Al Ula – Hegra UNESCO
Full day at the extraordinary Hegra Nabataean site — 100+ royal tombs carved into sandstone mountains, comparable to Petra in scale and grandeur. Overnight in Al Ula.
Day 5. Al Ula – Dadan, Shallah Mountain & Harrat Viewpoint
Dadan archaeological site. Hike up Shallah Mountain for panoramic valley views. Drive to the Harrat volcanic landscape viewpoint. Jebel Ikmah open-air inscription library. Overnight in Al Ula.
Day 6. Al Ula to Medina – Desert Drive
Desert drive from Al Ula to Medina. Tour of Medina — exterior view of Al Masjid An Nabawi (Prophet’s Mosque), Masjid Al Qiblatain, Mount Uhud. Visit a traditional Medinese date farm. High-speed Haramain Train to Jeddah (2 hours). Overnight in Jeddah.
Day 7. Jeddah – Al Balad & Corniche
Full day in Jeddah — Al Balad walking tour, Al Rahma Mosque, Red Sea Museum, Souk Al Alawi. Evening at the magnificent Jeddah Corniche. Overnight in Jeddah.
Day 8. Jeddah – Old Town & Departure
Final morning in Old Jeddah. Transfer to King Abdulaziz International Airport.
Must see
ATTRACTIONS
Options
ACCOMMODATIONS
Riyadh
★★★★★
- Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre
- The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh
- Waldorf Astoria Riyadh Ithra
★★★★
- JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh
- Crowne Plaza Riyadh Palace
- Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers
★★★
- Novotel Riyadh Al Anoud
- ibis Riyadh Olaya
- Citymax Hotel Riyadh
Medina
★★★★★
- Anwar Al-Madinah Mövenpick Hotel
- Dar Al-Taqwa Hotel Madinah
- Madinah Marriott Hotel
★★★★
- Al-Salam Hotel Madinah
- Pullman ZamZam Madinah
- Hilton Madinah
★★★
- Al-Haram Hotel Madinah
- Taibah Hotel Madinah
- Al-Nour Hotel Madinah
Al Ula
★★★★★
- Habitas AlUla
- Banyan Tree AlUla
- Shaden Resort AlUla by Accor
★★★★
- Caravan by Habitas AlUla
- Dar Tantora The House Hotel AlUla
- Maraya Hotel AlUla
★★★
- AlUla Lodge
- Rose Governate Hotel AlUla
- Dadan Hotel AlUla
Jeddah
★★★★★
- Rosewood Jeddah
- Park Hyatt Jeddah – Marina, Club & Spa
- InterContinental Jeddah
★★★★
- Radisson Blu Hotel Jeddah Al Hamra
- Hilton Jeddah
- Marriott Jeddah
★★★
- Holiday Inn Jeddah Al Salam
- ibis Jeddah City Center
- Premier Inn Jeddah Al Murjan
Must try
FOOD
Marqooq
A traditional, hearty Gulf and Saudi comfort dish consisting of paper-thin sheets of wheat dough cooked directly in a rich, spiced meat and vegetable stew; as it simmers, the dough absorbs the savory flavors of lamb or chicken and seasonal vegetables.
Saleeg
A rice dish consisting of creamy, porridge-like short-grain rice and roasted meat; the meat, commonly chicken is boiled in water with spices before being roasted; it is served with salata hara (a salsa-like condiment), duggus (a chili tomato-parsley sauce), pickled lemons or a tomato-cucumber salad.
Foul Medames
Slow-cooked fava beans, spiced with ground cumin, salt, garlic, fresh lemon juice and extra olive oil and topped by chopped parsley, diced tomatoes, onions, hard-boiled eggs or a spicy chili pepper kick.
RESTAURANT
Options
Halal Certified
Riyadh
- Najd Village – Traditional Saudi Najdi cuisine served in a heritage setting, authentic experience
- Al-Orjowan at The Ritz-Carlton – Arabic fine dining, rooftop terrace, panoramic city views
- Bab Al-Yemen – Traditional Yemeni and Arabic food, highly popular local institution
- Gaucho Riyadh – Premium Argentinian steakhouse with Saudi-certified halal meats
- Nusret Riyadh – International steakhouse (Salt Bae brand), extravagant presentation, prime cuts
Medina
- Al-Baik Medina – Saudi Arabia’s beloved fried chicken chain, iconic for pilgrims
- Nawab Restaurant Medina – Authentic Indian-Pakistani cuisine, biryani a specialty
- Turkish House Medina – Turkish restaurant, grills and meze, near the Prophet’s Mosque
- Kabsa Kingdom Medina – Traditional Saudi Kabsa rice dishes with slow-cooked lamb
- Al-Safa Restaurant Medina – Local Hijazi cuisine, generous portions near the Haram district
Al Ula
- Ashar Restaurant – Modern Saudi cuisine with views over the ancient Hegra archaeological site
- Maraya Concert Hall Café – Fine dining inside the mirror-cube Maraya venue, extraordinary setting
- Al-Nakheel Restaurant AlUla – Traditional oasis cuisine, dates, meats and Saudi rice
- Turkish House AlUla – Turkish restaurant, popular with tour groups and adventure travellers
- Al-Wadi Restaurant AlUla – Saudi and Levantine mixed menu, good value, near Old Town
Jeddah
- Al-Nafourah – Lebanese fine dining with panoramic Red Sea views, Corniche location
- Fakieh Aquarium Restaurant – Seafood restaurant with live aquarium backdrop, Al Hamra district
- Bab El-Yemen Jeddah – Traditional Yemeni cuisine, famous for slow-cooked lamb
- The Globe Restaurant – International cuisine at Park Hyatt, floor-to-ceiling ocean views
- Kaia Jeddah – Modern Japanese halal restaurant, sushi and teppanyaki, Corniche Road
