One Week in Saudi Arabia: Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla

One week is the right amount of time for a first trip to Saudi Arabia. This itinerary connects the three essential stops — Riyadh’s heritage and modern energy, AlUla’s Nabataean tombs and desert landscape, and Jeddah’s coral-stone historic district and Red Sea waterfront. Two domestic flights keep travel time efficient.

Trip Overview

Days	City	Highlights
1–2	Riyadh	Diriyah, National Museum, Masmak Fortress, Kingdom Centre
3–4	AlUla	Hegra (Mada’in Salih), Old Town, Elephant Rock
5–6	Jeddah	Al Balad historic district, Corniche, Red Sea seafood
7	Jeddah	Floating Mosque, departure

Before You Go

Visa: Citizens of 49 countries can apply for a Saudi e-visa at visa.visitsaudi.com. Cost is approximately SAR 535 (USD 142) as of 2026, including mandatory insurance. Valid for one year with multiple entries, up to 90 days per stay.

Flights: Saudia, flynas, and flyadeal operate the domestic sectors. Book the Riyadh–AlUla and AlUla–Jeddah flights 2–3 weeks ahead for the best fares. Expect SAR 300–600 (USD 80–160) per sector as of 2026.

Dress code: Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is expected in public spaces for both men and women. Abayas are no longer mandatory for foreign women but are appreciated in conservative areas and mosques.

Days 1–2: Riyadh

Where to Stay in Riyadh

Budget (from SAR 250/night, approximately USD 67): Novotel Riyadh Al Anoud — reliable rooms in Al-Olaya with good transport access. Two nights: approximately SAR 500–600 as of 2026.

Mid-range (from SAR 500/night, approximately USD 133): Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya — central location, rooftop pool, walking distance to Kingdom Centre. Two nights: approximately SAR 1,000–1,200 as of 2026.

Splurge (from SAR 1,500/night, approximately USD 400): The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh — the most prestigious address in the city, set in a diplomatic compound with extensive gardens. Two nights: from SAR 3,000 as of 2026.

Day 1: Heritage Riyadh

Morning: Begin at Diriyah (30 minutes from central Riyadh by Careem, SAR 20–25). Tour the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site — the mud-brick ruins of the first Saudi state. Book at experiencediriyah.com. Adult entry approximately SAR 80 (USD 21) as of 2026. Allow 2–2.5 hours.

Lunch: Takya at the Bujairi Terrace, overlooking At-Turaif. Saudi heritage cuisine — slow-cooked lamb, sauces, Arabic breads. SAR 80–150 (USD 21–40) per person.

Afternoon: National Museum of Saudi Arabia in the King Abdulaziz Historical Centre. Eight galleries spanning prehistoric Arabia to the modern state. Free entry. Allow 2.5 hours.

Evening: Kingdom Centre SkyBridge — 300-metre observation deck, SAR 69 (USD 18) entry, open until midnight. Dinner at Najdi Village Restaurant — kabsa, jareesh, communal platters. SAR 60–100 (USD 16–27) per person.

Day 2: Fortress, Souks, and Modern Riyadh

Morning: Masmak Fortress in the Dira neighbourhood — the 1902 raid site that launched the modern Saudi state. Free entry. 1–1.5 hours. Walk to Souq Al Zal for antiques, traditional daggers, and old coins. 1 hour.

Afternoon: Edge of the World day trip. 90km northwest of Riyadh, final 25km on rough track requiring 4WD. Book a guided tour (from SAR 250/USD 67 per person, including pickup and transport). The Tuwaiq Escarpment drops 300 metres to the desert floor. No entry fee. Return trip takes 5–6 hours.

Evening: Dinner at Globe Restaurant in Al-Faisaliah Tower — contemporary dining at 240 metres with panoramic city views. SAR 150–250 (USD 40–67) per person. Transfer to airport for the evening or early-morning flight to AlUla.

Flight: Riyadh (RUH) to AlUla (ULH). Saudia operates direct flights, approximately 1.5 hours. Fares from SAR 300 (USD 80) one way as of 2026.

Days 3–4: AlUla

Where to Stay in AlUla

Budget (from SAR 300/night, approximately USD 80): Shaden Resort — desert-lodge style with functional rooms and mountain views. Two nights: approximately SAR 600–800 as of 2026.

Mid-range (from SAR 700/night, approximately USD 187): Habitas AlUla — eco-luxury lodges in the desert landscape, strong restaurant, guided experiences available on-site. Two nights: approximately SAR 1,400–1,800 as of 2026.

Splurge (from SAR 3,000/night, approximately USD 800): Banyan Tree AlUla — private villas with plunge pools carved into sandstone canyons. Two nights: from SAR 6,000 as of 2026.

Rental car: Recommended in AlUla — distances between sites are 15–40km and taxi availability is limited. Budget approximately SAR 200–300 (USD 53–80) per day through local agencies at AlUla airport.

Day 3: Hegra and Ancient History

Morning: Drive to Hegra (Mada’in Salih) — Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, 22km north of AlUla town. The Nabataean tombs carved into sandstone outcrops date to the 1st century CE — the same civilisation that built Petra in Jordan, but with far fewer visitors. Book tickets at experiencealula.com. Adult entry approximately SAR 95 (USD 25) as of 2026. The guided tour covers the main tomb clusters: Qasr al-Bint, Qasr al-Farid (the isolated tomb), and the Diwan. Allow 3 hours.

Lunch: Return to AlUla Old Town and eat at Suhail Restaurant — traditional Saudi dishes in a restored heritage setting. SAR 60–100 (USD 16–27) per person.

Afternoon: Explore AlUla Old Town — the abandoned mud-brick settlement at the base of the sandstone ridge. The partially restored alleyways and merchant houses give a clear picture of pre-oil Arabian life. Free entry. Walk to the adjacent AlUla Heritage Oasis — date palm groves and ancient irrigation channels. Allow 1.5–2 hours total.

Evening: Drive to Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil) for sunset — the natural rock formation is one of Saudi Arabia’s most photographed landmarks. Free access. The café area at the base sells Arabic coffee and light snacks. Open until 10pm.

Day 4: Desert and Departure

Morning: Book a Hegra After Dark or sunrise desert experience through experiencealula.com (from SAR 150/USD 40 per person). The desert landscape around AlUla is at its most impressive in early morning light — sandstone formations stretching in every direction.

Alternatively, drive to Dadan — the ruins of the ancient Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms, 10km from AlUla town. The rock-cut tombs and inscriptions predate the Nabataean period. Free entry. Allow 1.5 hours.

Lunch: Harrat Viewpoint Café overlooking the volcanic harrat (lava field) north of AlUla. Light meals and coffee. SAR 40–70 (USD 11–19) per person.

Afternoon: Transfer to AlUla airport for the flight to Jeddah.

Flight: AlUla (ULH) to Jeddah (JED). Saudia operates direct flights, approximately 1 hour. Fares from SAR 300 (USD 80) one way as of 2026.

Days 5–6: Jeddah

Where to Stay in Jeddah

Budget (from SAR 200/night, approximately USD 53): Radisson Blu Hotel Jeddah Corniche — solid value on the waterfront with pool access. Two nights: approximately SAR 400–500 as of 2026.

Mid-range (from SAR 600/night, approximately USD 160): Jeddah Hilton — established hotel in the Corniche area, large rooms, sea views from upper floors. Two nights: approximately SAR 1,200–1,500 as of 2026.

Splurge (from SAR 1,800/night, approximately USD 480): Park Hyatt Jeddah – Marina, Club and Spa — waterfront resort with private marina and multiple pools. Two nights: from SAR 3,600 as of 2026.

Day 5: Al Balad Historic District

Morning: Walk through Al Balad — Jeddah’s UNESCO-listed historic district. The coral-stone tower houses (rawasheen) with their carved wooden balconies (mashrabiya) date to the Ottoman period and represent one of the most distinctive urban environments in the Middle East. The district is compact — allow 2–3 hours to walk the main streets, including Gabel Street and the merchants’ houses.

Visit Nassif House Museum — a restored 19th-century merchant house that once hosted King Abdulaziz. Free entry. The interior woodwork and traditional furnishings are well-preserved.

Lunch: Al Nakheel Restaurant in Al Balad — grilled fish, rice, and traditional Hejazi dishes. SAR 50–80 (USD 13–21) per person. The Hejazi cuisine of Jeddah is distinctly different from Najdi food in Riyadh — more seafood, more spice, strong Yemeni and Ottoman influences.

Afternoon: Jeddah Corniche — the 30km waterfront promenade. Walk or cycle the central section near the open-air sculpture museum, which displays works by Henry Moore, Joan Miro, and other international artists. Free access. Continue to the King Fahd Fountain — the world’s tallest fountain, visible from most of the Corniche.

Evening: Dinner at Twina — seafood restaurant on the North Corniche. Fresh Red Sea fish, grilled prawns, and catch-of-the-day options. SAR 100–180 (USD 27–48) per person as of 2026. The outdoor terrace has direct sea views.

Day 6: Red Sea and Local Flavour

Morning: Visit the Floating Mosque (Al Rahma Mosque) on the Corniche — built on stilts over the Red Sea, it appears to float at high tide. Non-Muslims can view from the exterior and the adjacent promenade. Photography is best in early morning light.

Continue to Atallah Happy Land Park area and the surrounding neighbourhood markets for local produce, spices, and Hejazi street food.

Afternoon: Red Sea Mall or Jeddah Tower district for air-conditioned shopping and modern Jeddah. Alternatively, book a half-day snorkelling or diving trip to the Red Sea reefs through Jeddah-based operators. Trips depart from Obhur Creek, approximately 30 minutes north of the Corniche. Half-day snorkelling excursions from SAR 200 (USD 53) per person as of 2026.

Evening: Final dinner at Beit Misk — Lebanese-Mediterranean cuisine in a restored Jeddah villa. SAR 120–200 (USD 32–53) per person. The garden courtyard seating is the best option.

Day 7: Jeddah Departure

Use the final morning for any missed Al Balad exploration or a return visit to favourite restaurants. Transfer to King Abdulaziz International Airport — allow 30–40 minutes from the Corniche area.

Budget Summary

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Splurge
Hotels (6 nights)	SAR 1,500–2,000	SAR 3,600–4,500	SAR 12,600+
Domestic flights (2)	SAR 600–1,000	SAR 600–1,000	SAR 600–1,000
Food (7 days)	SAR 500–700	SAR 1,000–1,500	SAR 2,500+
Attractions + tours	SAR 400–600	SAR 600–800	SAR 1,000+
Local transport	SAR 300–500	SAR 400–600	SAR 500–800
Total per person	SAR 3,300–4,800	SAR 6,200–8,400	SAR 17,200+

All prices approximate as of 2026. International flights not included.

Booking Checklist

• Saudi e-visa: visa.visitsaudi.com — approximately SAR 535 (USD 142), 49 eligible nationalities
• Domestic flights: Book Riyadh–AlUla and AlUla–Jeddah 2–3 weeks ahead via Saudia, flynas, or flyadeal
• At-Turaif (Diriyah): experiencediriyah.com — SAR 80 adult entry
• Hegra (AlUla): experiencealula.com — SAR 95 adult entry, book 3+ days ahead
• AlUla car hire: Book car hire at AlUla airport or through Habitas/hotel concierge
• Edge of the World tour: Book the evening before departure — from SAR 250pp

Before finalising your trip, lock in flights to Saudi Arabia early for the best fares, consider a travel insurance policy that covers the full itinerary, and browse tours in Saudi Arabia to fill any free days with a guided experience.

See Also

• Things to Do in Riyadh — Diriyah, Edge of the World, and Kingdom Tower
• Things to Do in AlUla — Hegra, Dadan, Elephant Rock, and Jabal Ikmah
• Things to Do in Jeddah — Al Balad, the Corniche, and Floating Mosque
• AlUla 3-Day Itinerary — extended plan if AlUla gets more time
• 10 Days in Saudi Arabia — extend this itinerary to cover NEOM and Tabuk
• 2 Weeks in Saudi Arabia — add the highlands and northern desert
• Saudi Arabia Budget Guide — per-day cost breakdown for this itinerary
• Saudi Arabia Visa Guide — eVisa requirements before you book
• Getting Around Saudi Arabia — Haramain Railway, domestic flights, and car hire