The cool season is the single best time to travel in Saudi Arabia. Between November and February, temperatures drop to 18–24°C across the central plateau, the skies are clear and consistent, and the country’s two flagship festivals — Riyadh Season and Winter at Tantora at AlUla — are both running. This 10-day itinerary covers the four main regions: Riyadh, AlUla, Abha and Jeddah.
Best months: November, December, January, February Worst months for this route: June–September (40°C+ in Riyadh and AlUla)
Day 1–3: Riyadh
Arrive into King Khalid International Airport (RUH) and base yourself in central Riyadh. Three nights allows time for the city’s main sights without rushing.
Day 1: Settle in, visit Al-Masmak Fortress (free entry; allow 90 minutes) and walk the surrounding Dira Square area. Dinner in the Olaya district — Najd Village is the benchmark for traditional Saudi cuisine, around SAR 80–120 per head.
Day 2: Diriyah. The UNESCO-listed mud-brick ruins of the first Saudi state are a 30-minute drive northwest of central Riyadh. Allow a full afternoon — Bujairi Terrace has excellent dining. Book a Diriyah sightseeing tour for context: Riyadh: Diriyah Tour.
Day 3: Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn). A 90-minute drive north brings you to this dramatic cliff edge overlooking an ancient seabed. Best visited on a guided tour that handles the off-road section: Edge of the World with Stargazing. Return to Riyadh in time for an evening at Riyadh Season if visiting October–March.
Accommodation: Riyadh has comprehensive hotel stock at all price points. Nobu Riyadh (upmarket, SAR 700–1,100/night), Marriott Riyadh (mid-range, SAR 450–650/night), Ibis Riyadh (budget, SAR 180–280/night).
Day 4–6: AlUla
Fly Riyadh to AlUla (RUH–ULH). SAUDIA operates direct flights; around 2 hours, SAR 250–450 return depending on timing. AlUla Airport is small — book accommodation transfers in advance, or arrange a rental car from the airport.
Day 4: Arrive, check in, and spend the afternoon at Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil). No entry fee; accessible by car. In the evening, explore the AlUla Old Town mudbrick village.
Day 5: Hegra (Madain Saleh). Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site — the Nabataean tombs carved directly into sandstone outcrops. Guided tours are mandatory on-site; book through the Experience AlUla platform (experiencealula.com). Tickets are SAR 95. Full-day AlUla wonders tours combine Hegra with Dadan and Ikmah: AlUla Full-Day Tour.
Day 6: Dadan and the Ashar Arts District. Dadan was the capital of an ancient kingdom predating the Nabataeans; the carved steps and burial tombs are accessible by buggy from the AlUla Welcome Centre (SAR 20–30). Afternoon: the Ashar Valley arts installations and Maraya Concert Hall (the world’s largest mirrored building).
If visiting December–March, check what’s on at Winter at Tantora — concerts, Hegra by Night tours and hot air balloon flights are part of the festival programme.
Accommodation: Banyan Tree AlUla (SAR 1,500–2,500/night) and Habitas AlUla (SAR 1,200–2,000/night) are the standout options. Mid-range: Shaden Resort (SAR 600–900/night). Book well ahead in winter — capacity is limited across the entire destination.
Day 7–8: Abha
Fly AlUla to Abha (ULH–AHB) via Riyadh, or book a direct flight if available. Abha sits at 2,200 m altitude in the Asir mountains — expect genuinely cool temperatures (10–18°C days, 5–10°C nights in December/January) and mountain scenery unlike anywhere else in Saudi Arabia.
Day 7: Asir National Park and the Green Mountains. The Al Soudah area offers viewpoints across terraced farms, cloud-covered valleys and traditional painted Asiri architecture. Rent a cable car over Habala village (the “hanging village” suspended on a cliff face). Drive along the Al Hada–Al Soudah road for viewpoints.
Day 8: Abha city and surrounds. Visit the Shada Palace (historic royal residence, free entry), the Abha Cultural Museum and the Al Muftaha Arts Village. Asir region food is distinct from Najdi cuisine — try the flatbreads, honeycomb and slow-cooked lamb at local restaurants off the Al Nuzha Road. A good Abha and Asir tour covers the regional highlights in a structured day.
Accommodation: Abha Palace Hotel (SAR 350–550/night), Millennium Abha (SAR 420–620/night). Book ahead — hotel stock is limited and winter is peak season for domestic Saudi visitors.
Day 9–10: Jeddah
Fly Abha to Jeddah (AHB–JED); around 75 minutes. Two nights in Jeddah rounds out the itinerary with coastline, coral reefs and the historic Al-Balad district before your onward flight (Jeddah is a major international hub).
Day 9: Al-Balad, Jeddah’s UNESCO-listed old city. The labyrinthine coral-stone buildings with overhanging wooden mashrabiyya screens are a genuine architectural contrast to the rest of Saudi Arabia. Walk the lanes, visit the old merchant houses, and eat lunch at one of the heritage restaurants — Al Nakheel or Fakieh Kitchen are well-regarded. Book a guided walking tour for the history: Al-Balad Walking Tour with Tea.
Day 10: Red Sea. Jeddah’s coastline is excellent for snorkelling in November–February — water visibility is high, temperatures are 24–27°C and the coral gardens north of the city are largely intact. A boat trip with snorkelling takes 3–4 hours and costs SAR 150–250: Jeddah Boat Trip with Snorkelling. Return to KAIA (Jeddah) for your flight home.
Accommodation: Park Hyatt Jeddah (sea views, SAR 800–1,200/night), Rosewood Jeddah (SAR 1,000–1,600/night), Radisson Blu (mid-range, SAR 380–550/night).
Budget Guide
| Category | Budget (SAR) | Mid-range (SAR) | Upmarket (SAR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | 150–280 | 350–650 | 700–2,000+ |
| Flights (internal) | 200–350 per leg | 350–600 | 600–1,200 (business) |
| Food (per day) | 80–150 | 150–300 | 300–600+ |
| Tours and entry | 50–150/day | 150–350/day | 350–800/day |
Total trip estimate: SAR 5,000–8,000 (budget), SAR 12,000–20,000 (mid-range), SAR 30,000–60,000+ (luxury).
Practical Notes
Flights: Riyadh and Jeddah are the main international gateways. SAUDIA and flyadeal connect all domestic legs. Fly into Riyadh (RUH) and out of Jeddah (KAIA) to avoid backtracking.
Driving: A rental car is needed in AlUla — public transport is minimal. In Riyadh and Jeddah, Uber and Careem are reliable and significantly cheaper than private hire. Abha is compact enough to combine taxis and a rental for the mountain drives.
Visas: Tourist e-visas are available online for most nationalities at visa.visitsaudi.com. Multiple entry, 90 days, SAR 300. Apply 2–3 weeks ahead.
What to book in advance: Hegra tickets (required), AlUla accommodation (limited stock, book 6–8 weeks out in winter), Riyadh Season concerts, Winter at Tantora shows.
For more detail on specific legs, see: 10-Day Saudi Arabia Itinerary, AlUla 3-Day Itinerary, 3 Days in Riyadh, Jeddah 3-Day Itinerary.
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