Desert, petrol rigs and women in disguise – often these are the things coming up first when you think of Saudi Arabia. However, this country, that covers the greatest part of the Arabian Peninsula, has a lot of historic and cultural treasures to offer. Saudi Arabia is home of the two most holy places of the Islam: Medina and Mecca, cities with outrageous buildings like the “Qubbat al Nabi” (mosque of the prophet) or Al-Masjid al-Haram. However, Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter these two cities, but there are other, fascinating places you can go during your trip to Saudi Arabia. Try a stay in Jeddah, a beautiful city at the Red Sea that offers not only wonderful architecture but also a wide range of leisure time activities such as diving or sailing.

Travelling to Saudi Arabia you will arrive at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which, by the way, is operated by the German airport operator Fraport. Direct flights from London to Riyadh take about five to six hours and are offered by different airlines. For example, you can find flights with Saudi Arabian Airlines on fly.co.uk. If you plan an extensive trip through the Arabian countries, there are flight connections from Saudi Arabia to Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and other destinations.

There are some points of interest you should not miss during your stay in Saudi Arabia. In Riyadh, you should visit the National Museum, take a walk through the beautiful Salam Park or make an extensive shopping trip on King Fahad Street. Interested in history? Then an excursion to Mada’in Saleh is recommended. At this archaeological site that belongs to UNESCO world heritage, you will find a row of monumental rock-cut tombs dated to the first century. But no matter where you go, remember that you are travelling a strict Islamic country. Therefore, in any case you should respect religious opinions and rules concerning dress codes or your behaviour in public. Then you can dive into the secrets of this mysterious country and will certainly enjoy your stay in Saudi Arabia.”

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Photo by waltercallens on Flickr