There may be an assumption that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not welcoming towards tourists, whether from the Middle East or North America. But scratch beneath the surface and this is a country that is rich in history, culture – and of course oil.
Most travellers who arrive from flights to Saudi Arabia have a very specific agenda: to visit Mecca, Islam’s holiest city. Located on the Red Sea coast, in Jeddah, Mecca is home to the Kaaba shrine and Grand Mosque. Today, more than two million people take flights to Saudi Arabia every year to carry out the Hajj pilgrimage.
As well as Mecca, there are a number of other historic sites in the country. The deserted village of Habalah or “the Hanging Village” is also located in Jeddah. This is the site of the first cable-car system in the Kingdom and there are some fine examples of preserved Arabian houses. Riyadh is the capital, where there is a fine museum – the National Museum – that houses some Dilmun tombs and rock art.
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