Day 1. Riyadh – Arrival
Arrive in Riyadh. Explore the Masmak Fortress and the historic Dira district. Evening at Boulevard City — the capital’s spectacular entertainment complex. Overnight in Riyadh.
7 DAYS
Saudi Arabia’s
Golden Triangle
Day 2. Riyadh – National Museum & Diriyah
National Museum’s eight galleries of Arabian history. Afternoon at Diriyah UNESCO site — the birthplace of the Saudi state, with the restored At-Turaif District and Bujairi Terrace. Overnight in Riyadh.
Day 3. Riyadh to Al Ula – Elephant Rock
Morning flight to Al Ula. Afternoon at the iconic Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil) at sunset — the 52-metre natural sandstone monolith glowing amber in the evening light. Check in to desert resort. Overnight in Al Ula.
Day 4. Al Ula – Hegra UNESCO Site
Full day at Hegra (Mada’in Saleh) — Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, with over 100 magnificent Nabataean rock-cut tombs carved into rose-red sandstone mountains. One of the world’s great archaeological wonders. Overnight in Al Ula.
Day 5. Al Ula – Dadan, Jebel Ikmah & Oasis Trail
Dadan’s ancient Lihyanite tombs and inscriptions. Jebel Ikmah open-air library of thousands of ancient inscriptions. Afternoon Oasis Heritage Trail walk through Al Ula’s lush date-palm groves and abandoned mud-brick Old Town. Overnight in Al Ula.
Day 6. Al Ula to Jeddah – Al Balad
Morning flight to Jeddah. Afternoon in Al Balad UNESCO district — historic Hijazi coral-stone architecture and the atmospheric Souk Al Alawi. Evening Corniche stroll and King Fahd Fountain. Overnight in Jeddah.
Day 7. Jeddah – Old Town & Departure
Guided tour of Old Jeddah including Al Rahma Mosque and Red Sea Museum. 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
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
Hanaini
A dish made from whole wheat grains, with the spikelets being pounded to separate the grains from their husks; the grains are then ground into flour, kneaded, and baked with a mashed date paste added; the dish is served with a drizzle of ghee and sometimes topped with a citrus ingredient such as citron, utrujj or lemon.
Sayadieh
A seasoned fish and rice dish from the Middle East, made with cumin and other spices, as well as fried onions; the spice mix is called baharat in Arabic and its preparation varies from cook to cook but may include caraway, cinnamon, cumin and coriander.
Mabroum and Helwa Dates
Distinct premium Saudi Arabian date varieties; Mabroum dates are long, slender, semi-dry fruits with a chewy, toffee-like texture and mild caramel sweetness, while Al-Helwa dates feature a tender, moist skin, larger rounder size and a rich, succulent, sweet flavor profile.
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
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
