Located at the crossroads of the East and the West,Saudi Arabia evokes the epic caravan journeys through vast deserts, saving oases providing shade and fresh water. With a human presence attested for at least 90,000 years, numerous remains of ancient civilizations, the revelation of Islam in Mecca, the historical roots of Saudi Arabia are deep. The country bequeaths to the world a precious heritage scattered in extraordinary landscapes of beauty. With this potential, it has opened its doors wide to tourists from around the world in 2019. Carried by the "Vision 2030" plan, the Kingdom aims to become the most visited country in the world with 100 million annual visitors. The number of tourist sites is to be increased to 447, heritage sites are being developed and new leisure destinations are being planned. So many good reasons to go to this emerging destination that strongly combines past, present and future.
Extraordinary landscapes
Saudi Arabia's changing topography offers ever-changing landscapes of breathtaking beauty. The iconic Rub al Khali desert in the southeast occupies a vast quarter of the country, with its shifting dunes. Further north, between Hail and Sakaka, the desert flares up and the sand turns red. The western facade along the Red Sea is traversed by the Hijaz range evolving between 1 500 and 3 000 m altitude. In the north, the sandstone mountains are dotted with sandy notches, including the splendid Wadi Disah. To the south, in the provinces of Al Baha and Asir, they soar high into the clouds, ensuring a cool climate in all seasons. To the east, the Al Ahsa oasis will surprise you: 2.5 million palm trees, the Al Qarah mountain which offers a panoramic view of the oasis, or the Yellow Lake, a marshy expanse in the middle of the desert. In the center, between the rose gardens of Taif and the fervor of Medina, the rare white volcanoes of Harrat Khaybar emerge from the basalt plain.
Archaeological remains of the first order
The oasis ofAlUla seems to have been the point of convergence of the ancient civilizations of Saudi Arabia. The Dadanites had their capital here and there is evidence of tombs dug into the mountain, including the famous Lion Tombs. The Nabataeans made their home a little further north, on the Hegra plateau. There are 111 tombs in the fragmented mountains, the most emblematic of which has a finely carved facade in an isolated rock. The caravaneers also left traces of their passage in the stone. The walls of Jabal Ikmah are decorated with thousands of graffiti, the oldest of which date back to the first millennium BC. The oasis of Tayma has been occupied even longer. A 90,000-year-old human phalanx has been found there and the remains of the Babylonian king Nabonidus' castle can be visited. In Khaybar, hundreds of 4,500-year-old keyhole tombs have been uncovered. The rock art of the Hail region is so striking and unique that it is a World Heritage Site. These are 10,000 years of evidence left on the rocks of the region.
A varied culture
The cultures of Saudi Arabia are never better reflected than in their architecture. The citadel of Turaif is one of the finest examples in the Najd. This former princely city at the gates of Riyadh alternates monumental adobe palaces and a maze of shady alleys. The region is crisscrossed with old villages in ruins or renovated, such as Ushaiger where the arches and crenellations of the buildings are whitewashed. In Jeddah, the oriental influences are expressed in the old houses of the historic district of Al Balad. They are built from blocks of coral. The windows are hidden behind heavy wooden shutters or finely openwork bow windows called rawasheen. In the province of Al Baha, the village of Al Ain shows the skill of the stonecutters. The houses leaning against the mountain form a compact and spectacular ensemble. In Asir, the adobe or stone towers bear witness to an eventful past where keeping watch was essential. It is also the region of the flower men where men wear crowns of carnations and jasmine. In Dammam, the great oil city, modernity and culture meet in the splendid Ithra Museum, a futuristic work with grandiose spaces. Mecca and Medina vibrate to the rhythm of Muslim spirituality. Pilgrims come from all over the world to give thanks to Allah in the very cradle of Islam.
A warm and genuine welcome
Whether it's at the reception of your hotel in Riyadh or in an oasis in the desert, you'll be immediately won over by the warm welcome you'll receive absolutely everywhere. Saudis continue the tradition of hospitality that is a hallmark of Arab culture. The vastness of the desert and the long crossings from one watering hole to another have made the welcoming of passing travelers a golden rule. Since the time of the caravans loaded with spices and incense, it is traditional to open one's tent to strangers, offering them a meal, something to drink and a place to sleep. This habit has never been lost. You will be greeted with a "marhaba" or "ahlan wa sahlan", two ways of saying "hello and welcome", wherever you go. These sincere forms of politeness are usually accompanied by a Saudi coffee. This welcome extends to the entrance of AlUla's tourist sites, where the visit invariably begins with a complimentary fresh juice and dried fruit. Saudis are curious about foreigners, and through these repeated displays of hospitality, they show their interest in their visitor and their pride in welcoming you into their home.
Colorful festivals and events
Winter is an eventful season. The Winter at Tantora festival is the major annual event for contemporary art in Saudi Arabia, where the valleys of AlUla become exhibition sites for monumental works of art, most of them designed by Middle Eastern artists. Musicians and singers of international renown take over the incredible stage of the Maraya, an auditorium whose exterior facades are made of thousands of mirrors reflecting the enchanting landscapes of the Ashar Valley. Motor sports are featured with the Dakar Rally, the Formula E race held in Diriyah and the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Jeddah. The most vibrant gathering is undoubtedly the Janadriyah Festival in early March, just outside Riyadh. The King's Cup, the largest camel race in the world, is held there, bringing together 2,000 competitors and 30,000 spectators. Cinema is not forgotten, with the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, which highlights the talents of the Arab world. The calendar of events is regularly updated to provide all useful information.
Getting there and around
Saudia operates a daily flight from Paris-CDG to Riyadh or Jeddah. From December to March, there is a direct flight from Paris to AlUla and, from June 2023, the company will operate three flights a week between Nice and Riyadh. Flynas connects Marseille directly to Jeddah. Locally, the three airlines Flynas, Flyadeal and Saudia connect the country's main cities to each other and reduce travel times. Three railway lines operated by SAR connect Riyadh to Dammam in the east via Al Hofuf, Riyadh to Al Qurayyat in the north via Buraydah and Hail, and Medina to Makkah via Jeddah in the west. The state-owned bus company SAPTCO provides regional, city-to-city travel at low cost. Car rental companies are available in all cities.
