Saudi offers a tapestry of diversity and contrast, spanning from its arid deserts and picturesque coastlines to its majestic mountainous regions. Alongside the varied landscapes, each region boasts its own unique weather patterns, meaning there is no wrong time to visit. For this summer holiday, why don’t you visit Saudi for a surprising array of cool spots, making way for a refreshing and unforgettable vacation.
Saudi’s Hidden Gems for an Unforgettable Summer Escape
Adrenaline lovers can discover the mountainous city of Taif – a true hidden gem in Saudi. Immerse yourself in the wonders of Aseer’s cool, lush landscapes, offering 12 hiking trails, mountain biking, horse riding, ziplines, paragliding, as well as exhilarating activities like boat racing, diving, surfing, and kayaking. Don’t miss the opportunity to tour the picturesque city of Abha and the historic village of Rijal Alma, with its unique stone castle.
Adrenaline-Pumping Adventures: Get ready for an adrenaline rush, thrill seekers! Saudi offers an array of heart-pounding adventures amidst breathtaking landscapes. Embark on rock climbing expeditions in the granite cliffs of the Al-Hada mountain range near Taif, pushing your limits and conquering new heights. Experience the thrill of paragliding over the stunning Red Sea coastline, providing an unparalleled sightseeing adventure.
A Family-Friendly Recreational Haven: City Walk is a vibrant recreational zone that caters to the entire family, offering a variety of activities that include some unique experiences found for the first time in Jeddah and even the whole world. With its diverse range of shops and restaurants, City Walk ensures there is something to satisfy every taste. Immerse yourself in the extraordinary as you explore the nine captivating sub-zones of City Walk, including the Entry Village, Food Hall, Fashion Village, Splash, Horror Village, Jeddah Live, Adventure, X-reality, and Anime Village. Prepare for an immersive and unforgettable experience that seamlessly integrates different elements to delight every visitor.
Escape the Heat with a Spectacular Underwater World
The coastal city of Jeddah is renowned for its breathtaking diving and snorkelling opportunities, offering numerous unique areas to explore the mesmerizing marine life in the depths of the Red Sea. Saudi boasts world-class scuba diving sites where you can immerse yourself in the wonders of the underwater world or indulge in sailing and snorkelling. For a refreshing escape from the heat, the mountainous city of Taif beckons, while the Gulf waters of Dammam provide a cool respite. These areas offer pristine and untouched surroundings, allowing you to interact with the beauty of pure nature and discover rare and exquisite marine creatures. The Red Sea is home to around 20% of unique and rare fish species, including the world’s fastest fish, the Black Marlin, reaching speeds of 109 km/h, and the endangered Napoleon fish, also known as the “Queen of the Coral Reef” due to its distinctive crown-like appearance. With over 1,200 species, the Red Sea boasts a spectacularly diverse marine ecosystem. Heading towards Jeddah and its neighbouring diving sites means venturing into seas with minimal currents, highest salinity at 35%, and water that promotes blood circulation. Moreover, Jeddah benefits from a sunny climate year-round, with temperatures averaging at least 21°C.
Swim with Sharks in Sharm Obhur: Situated in the middle north part of Jeddah near the luxurious Bhadur resort, Sharm Obhur is a top diving destination. Alongside cute-looking turtles, you’ll encounter lionfish, eels, and a variety of fish species as you explore deeper waters. Don’t miss the opportunity to book a thrilling swimming trip with sharks at a depth of 1.7 meters. This safe and exhilarating activity offers an exclusive adventure in Jeddah. Accompanied by professional experts and divers, you’ll enter a cage where sharks swim, providing an up-close encounter with these fascinating creatures.
Red Sea Diving: Diving is a popular sport globally, with its origins dating back to ancient Greece. However, what sets scuba diving in Saudi’s Red Sea apart? It is home to over 1,200 fish species, with nearly 20% exclusive to the Red Sea. The solitary sailfish, the world’s fastest fish, can reach speeds of over 109 kilometres per hour. With year-round sunshine, divers need not worry about chilly waters.
Immerse Yourself in a Cultural Summer Retreat
Experience the Beauty and Culture of the Desert on an Overnight Desert Safari: Embark on a captivating journey by spending a night in the desert, where you can delve into the natural splendour, landscapes, and rich cultural heritage of Saudi. This nighttime tour allows you to escape the daytime heat and witness the enchanting beauty of the desert landscape under the starry sky. The highlight of the Riyadh overnight desert safari is an exhilarating dune bashing session, where you’ll ride to the summit of towering sand dunes, creating a thrilling spectacle as sand flies in all directions.
Saudi Tourism Authority has recently launched the country’s spectacular summer program for 2024, “Saudi Summer is Next Door”. The summer program will run for four months until the end of September, across seven destinations – Aseer, Al Baha, Taif, the Red Sea – a new destination, Jeddah, Riyadh and AlUla. Offering over 550 exceptional tourism products and more than 150 special offers and packages curated for families and children, it caters to diverse segments including adventure lovers, those looking for luxury retreats and activities, and culture and heritage enthusiasts.
Visit the ‘VisitSaudi’ website for more information about destinations, products, and offers. You can also contact the Tourist Care Center at 930 or reach out to the @AskVisitSaudi Twitter account, which receives inquiries and feedback in eight languages, around the clock. To learn more and plan your trip, visit https://www.visitsaudi.com/en.
