10 Days in Saudi Arabia: Ancient Sites and Red Sea

Ten days in Saudi Arabia allows a pace that most shorter itineraries cannot match — time for the Nabataean tombs of AlUla, the Edge of the World outside Riyadh, the coral-stone alleyways of Jeddah’s Al Balad, and the emerging Red Sea coastline near Tabuk that few international visitors have seen. This route moves west across the peninsula, ending at the Red Sea.

Trip Overview

Days	Location	Highlights
1–2	Riyadh	At-Turaif, National Museum, Masmak, Kingdom Centre
3	Edge of the World	Tuwaiq Escarpment day trip
4–6	AlUla	Hegra, Old Town, Elephant Rock, Dadan
7–8	Jeddah	Al Balad, Corniche, Red Sea seafood
9–10	Tabuk/NEOM coast	Beaches, snorkelling, Sharma

Getting There and Visa

Fly into King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh. Citizens of 49 countries can obtain a Saudi e-visa at visa.visitsaudi.com — approximately SAR 535 (USD 142) as of 2026, valid for one year with multiple entries.

Depart from either Tabuk (TBJ) with a connection through Riyadh or Jeddah, or backtrack to Jeddah (JED) for direct international flights.

Days 1–2: Riyadh

Where to Stay

Budget: Novotel Riyadh Al Anoud — from SAR 250/night (USD 67). Two nights: approximately SAR 500–600 as of 2026.

Mid-range: Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya — from SAR 500/night (USD 133). Central Al-Olaya location. Two nights: approximately SAR 1,000–1,200 as of 2026.

Splurge: Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre — from SAR 1,200/night (USD 320). Two nights: from SAR 2,400 as of 2026.

Day 1: Diriyah and Kingdom Centre

Morning: At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site at Diriyah. Book at experiencediriyah.com. Adult entry approximately SAR 80 (USD 21) as of 2026. The mud-brick ruins of the first Saudi state — palaces, mosques, and residential quarters. Allow 2–2.5 hours. Careem from Al-Olaya costs SAR 20–25.

Lunch: Takya at Bujairi Terrace — Saudi heritage cuisine facing the At-Turaif ruins. SAR 80–150 (USD 21–40) per person.

Afternoon: National Museum of Saudi Arabia — eight galleries from prehistoric Arabia to the modern state. Free entry. 2.5 hours.

Evening: Kingdom Centre SkyBridge — 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 and Souks

Morning: Masmak Fortress — free entry, 1–1.5 hours. Walk to Souq Al Zal for antiques and traditional goods. 1 hour.

Afternoon: Explore Al-Olaya district — specialty coffee at Brew92 or % Arabica, modern Riyadh architecture, and the Al-Faisaliah Tower observation deck (SAR 50/USD 13 entry).

Evening: Dinner at LPM Restaurant in the Diplomatic Quarter — French-Mediterranean cuisine. SAR 150–200 (USD 40–53) per person. Prepare kit for tomorrow’s Edge of the World excursion.

Day 3: Edge of the World

Full day: Rise before dawn. Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn) — 90km northwest of Riyadh, final 25km on desert track requiring 4WD. Book through Desert Safari Riyadh or similar operators: from SAR 250 (USD 67) per person including hotel pickup and return. Alternatively, rent a 4WD (from SAR 350/USD 93 per day) and drive — GPS coordinates are essential.

The Tuwaiq Escarpment drops 300 metres to the desert floor. Walk along the cliff edge (2km return, flat limestone). Bring 3+ litres of water and sun protection. No entry fee.

Late afternoon: Return to Riyadh. Evening flight to AlUla.

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

Days 4–6: AlUla

Where to Stay

Budget: Shaden Resort — from SAR 300/night (USD 80). Desert-lodge style, mountain views. Three nights: approximately SAR 900–1,200 as of 2026.

Mid-range: Habitas AlUla — from SAR 700/night (USD 187). Eco-luxury lodges, strong restaurant, guided experiences. Three nights: approximately SAR 2,100–2,700 as of 2026.

Splurge: Banyan Tree AlUla — from SAR 3,000/night (USD 800). Private villas with plunge pools in sandstone canyons. Three nights: from SAR 9,000 as of 2026.

Rental car: Recommended. Budget SAR 200–300 (USD 53–80) per day from AlUla airport agencies.

Day 4: Hegra

Morning: Hegra (Mada’in Salih) — Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, 22km north of AlUla. Nabataean tombs carved into sandstone, 1st century CE. Book at experiencealula.com. Adult entry approximately SAR 95 (USD 25) as of 2026. Guided tour covers Qasr al-Bint, Qasr al-Farid, and the Diwan. Allow 3 hours.

Lunch: Suhail Restaurant in AlUla Old Town — traditional Saudi dishes. SAR 60–100 (USD 16–27) per person.

Afternoon: AlUla Old Town — abandoned mud-brick settlement, free entry. Walk through restored alleyways and the Heritage Oasis date palm groves. 1.5–2 hours.

Evening: Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil) for sunset — free access. Café at the base for Arabic coffee. The rock formation is striking against the fading light.

Day 5: Dadan and Desert

Morning: Dadan — ruins of the ancient Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms, 10km from AlUla. Rock-cut tombs and inscriptions predating the Nabataean period. Free entry. Allow 1.5 hours.

Continue to Jabal Ikmah — an open-air library of pre-Arabic rock inscriptions. Entry via experiencealula.com, approximately SAR 50 (USD 13).

Afternoon: Hike one of the AlUla canyon trails. The Harrat Viewpoint Trail crosses volcanic harrat landscape with views over the oasis valley — moderate difficulty, 2–3 hours round trip. Bring water and sun protection.

Evening: Dinner at Habitas AlUla restaurant (open to non-guests) — contemporary Saudi-inspired menu with local ingredients. SAR 120–180 (USD 32–48) per person.

Day 6: Morning in AlUla, Fly to Jeddah

Morning: Sunrise photography at Hegra or the Old Town. Final coffee in the oasis. Return rental car at AlUla airport.

Flight: AlUla (ULH) to Jeddah (JED). Saudia direct, approximately 1 hour. From SAR 300 (USD 80) one way.

Afternoon arrival in Jeddah. Check into hotel and walk the Corniche waterfront in the late afternoon. Dinner at Twina — Red Sea seafood, outdoor terrace. SAR 100–180 (USD 27–48) per person.

Days 7–8: Jeddah

Where to Stay

Budget: Radisson Blu Hotel Jeddah Corniche — from SAR 200/night (USD 53). Two nights: approximately SAR 400–500 as of 2026.

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

Splurge: Park Hyatt Jeddah — from SAR 1,800/night (USD 480). Waterfront with private marina. Two nights: from SAR 3,600 as of 2026.

Day 7: Al Balad and the Old City

Morning: Al Balad — Jeddah’s UNESCO-listed historic district. Coral-stone tower houses with carved wooden mashrabiya balconies, Ottoman-era merchants’ quarters. Compact district — 2–3 hours walking. Visit Nassif House Museum — free entry, restored 19th-century merchant house.

Lunch: Al Nakheel Restaurant in Al Balad — grilled fish, Hejazi dishes. SAR 50–80 (USD 13–21) per person.

Afternoon: Jeddah Sculpture Museum — open-air collection on the Corniche featuring works by Henry Moore and Joan Miro. Free access. Walk to the King Fahd Fountain — the world’s tallest fountain, visible from most of the waterfront.

Evening: Dinner at Beit Misk — Lebanese-Mediterranean in a restored villa with garden courtyard. SAR 120–200 (USD 32–53) per person.

Day 8: Red Sea and Departure to Tabuk

Morning: Floating Mosque (Al Rahma Mosque) — built on stilts over the Red Sea. Best photographed at high tide in early morning.

Half-day snorkelling trip from Obhur Creek — Red Sea reefs 30 minutes north of the Corniche. From SAR 200 (USD 53) per person through Jeddah dive operators as of 2026.

Afternoon: Transfer to Jeddah airport.

Flight: Jeddah (JED) to Tabuk (TBJ). Saudia and flynas operate direct flights, approximately 1.5 hours. From SAR 250 (USD 67) one way as of 2026.

Days 9–10: Tabuk and the NEOM Coast

Where to Stay

Budget: Swiss Inn Tabuk — from SAR 200/night (USD 53). Two nights: approximately SAR 400–500 as of 2026.

Mid-range: Hilton Garden Inn Tabuk — from SAR 400/night (USD 107). Modern rooms, good restaurant. Two nights: approximately SAR 800–1,000 as of 2026.

Splurge: Sharma Beach Resort (or similar emerging NEOM-area properties) — from SAR 1,500/night (USD 400). Beachfront with Red Sea access. Two nights: from SAR 3,000 as of 2026.

Rental car: Essential for the Tabuk coast. Budget SAR 200–300 (USD 53–80) per day from Tabuk airport agencies.

Day 9: Tabuk to Sharma Coast

Morning: Pick up rental car at Tabuk airport. Drive south along the Red Sea coast toward Sharma — approximately 180km, 2 hours on well-maintained highway. The coastline here is undeveloped compared to Jeddah: clear turquoise water, coral reefs close to shore, and very few other visitors.

Afternoon: Snorkelling or beach time at Sharma Bay. The reefs here are among the healthiest in the Red Sea — bring your own gear or arrange equipment through your accommodation. The water visibility regularly exceeds 20 metres.

Evening: Seafood dinner at a local Sharma restaurant — fresh catch, simply grilled. SAR 40–80 (USD 11–21) per person. The dining scene here is basic but the seafood quality is excellent.

Day 10: Coast Exploration and Departure

Morning: Drive north to Gayal Beach and the Wadi Disah canyon system (approximately 90km from Sharma, 1.5 hours). Wadi Disah is a dramatic sandstone canyon with date palms and a seasonal stream — often called the Grand Canyon of Saudi Arabia. Free access. Allow 2 hours for the canyon walk.

Afternoon: Return rental car at Tabuk airport. Fly out via Tabuk (connections through Riyadh or Jeddah for international departures).

Budget Summary

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Splurge
Hotels (9 nights)	SAR 2,500–3,500	SAR 5,500–7,000	SAR 20,000+
Domestic flights (3)	SAR 850–1,500	SAR 850–1,500	SAR 850–1,500
Car hire (5 days)	SAR 1,000–1,500	SAR 1,000–1,500	SAR 1,000–1,500
Food (10 days)	SAR 700–1,000	SAR 1,500–2,200	SAR 3,500+
Attractions + tours	SAR 500–700	SAR 700–1,000	SAR 1,200+
Local transport	SAR 300–500	SAR 400–600	SAR 500–800
Total per person	SAR 5,850–8,700	SAR 9,950–13,800	SAR 27,050+

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

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

• Riyadh City Guide — base city for this itinerary’s first two days
• AlUla City Guide — the anchor heritage destination on this route
• Jeddah City Guide — Red Sea coast stop with Al Balad and the Corniche
• Tabuk City Guide — gateway to NEOM, Wadi Disah, and the coast
• AlUla 3-Day Itinerary — detailed day plan if spending longer in AlUla
• 1 Week in Saudi Arabia — a shorter version of this route
• Hegra (Madain Saleh) — the Nabataean tombs at the heart of AlUla
• Red Sea Diving — diving off the Tabuk and Jeddah coasts
• Saudi Arabia Visa Guide — eVisa requirements before you book
• Getting Around Saudi Arabia — domestic flights, Haramain Railway, and car hire