Saudi Arabia is not the first choice for many tourists when deciding on a country to visit. You have to follow religious laws and obey the rules of each place. However, the laws are not difficult to follow, and you can enjoy all the sights in the old country. Check these stunning landmarks to explore next time you visit the country.
The Two Holy Mosques
Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an Nabawi are two of the top places to visit in Saudi Arabia. Although they are located in different cities, you can see both in a single day. Masjid al-Haram is in Mecca while Masjid an-Nabawi is in Medina. You can start from Masjid an-Nabawi after viewing other sites in the city. It is the mosque established by the Prophet Muhammad when he settled in Medina. If you are a Muslim, you can pray here before taking a train to Mecca.
A Medina to Mecca train ride will last about two hours. Then, you can find your way to the second holy mosque of Islam. It is the biggest mosque in the world and has a significance that attracts millions of Muslims yearly. Despite being one of the oldest landmarks in the country, the mosque is open all minutes of the day to visitors.
Al Masmak Fortress
Al Masmak Fortress is one of the unique pieces of history left in Saudi Arabia. The fortress is a stunning piece of architectural design located in Riyadh. Built in 1865, it was claimed by Emir Abdulaziz ibn Saud Al Saud in 1902. Al Masmak Fortress was converted into a museum in 1995 to house significant pieces of the country’s history. Several artifacts tell stories.
Tourists visit Al Masmak Fortress daily to marvel at the breathtaking creation made with clay and mud-brick. There is a mosque and a diwan inside the fort that you can see while you are there. A diwan is a luxurious room with a throne and elegant decorations. Entry to Al Masmak Fortress is free and available daily.
Al Balad
Al Balad is a historical center in Jeddah, one of the oldest cities in Saudi Arabia. There is a lot to do in Al Balad, starting from exploring the traditional markets and old houses in styles from the past. The area will take you to the past as you navigate the tight lanes from the market to the houses and the mosques. Mosques in Al Balad have intricate designs you can stare at for a long while without breathing.
Al Balad has many historical spots you can explore and has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Top places to see in Al Balad include the Bab Makkah gate at Makkah al-Mukkarramah road, commonly referred to as the gateway to Makkah. In addition, while exploring Al Balad, you can see over 600 heritage buildings close to 500 years old.
Qasr al-Farid
Qasr al-Farid is another UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia. It is one of the oldest landmarks in the country, with reports putting the castle’s construction around the 1st century. Qasr al-Farid is often referred to as The Lonely Castle but was never completed. It is more of a tomb like other sandstone structures carved in the Mada’in Saleh.
You can visit Mada’In Saleh, known as the Capital of Monuments, to see the 131 tombs carved in stone by the Nabataean people who once lived there. The tombs are inscribed with words that show the culture of Hegra, and Qasr al-Farid is the epitome of their brilliance. The incompleteness of the structure gives today’s tourists an idea of the process used to carve the other stone tombs around. Visiting this spot is a memory you are unlikely to forget soon.
King Abdulaziz Historical Center
Finally, the King Abdulaziz Historical Center in Riyadh, the country’s capital. It is an architectural masterpiece built around the area that used to be Murabba Palace. It is now the National Museum in Riyadh. You can take a lesson on the country’s history by exploring the eight exhibition halls of the museum. Plenty of artifacts, sculptures, ornaments, and antiques tell the story of past events and people who shaped the country’s history.
Other attractions within the Center include a library, park, fountain, green fields, conference hall, and a mosque. There are also traditional homes built to host events and ceremonies. You can spend an entire day in King Abdulaziz Historical Center without getting bored or tired.
Saudi Arabia has a lot of beautiful sites to sustain the attention of tourists for unending days and weeks. Some of them are complex modern creations that will steal your breath with their magnificence. However, there are also stunning landmarks from the past that will give you an idea of the country’s past.
