can i visit Saudi Arabia as a tourist and what are the main attractions other than hij place ?

Answer 1

Yes you can visit Saudi Arabia for sure
We have many historical and beautiful places, and Saudi Arabia is a BIG country so if you want to visit all attractions then you will need a month or so..
generally apart from 2 holy cities, Makkah and Madinah,
Jeddah is a city by the western coast on the red sea, it is a modern big city with many shopping malls and hotels and resorts, Riyadh is the capital, you can see the skyscrapers Kingdom building and Alfaisaliyyah building, The Eastern region is a good relaxing place by the Arabian gulf, in the northern region we have one historical place called Madaen Saleh, the place were the prophet Saleh and his people were, another good attraction is Abha which is a mountainous city in Southern region were the weather is rainy and cold, there are also many forests there, if you like the desert then you will find many in Saudi Arabia, including the Empty Quarter in South East of Saudi Arabia, these are only some and you can find many others in the following websites:

Saudi Supreme Commission for Tourism website is very useful
http://www.sct.gov.sa

Jeddah interactive map, very nice website and useful
http://www.alnokhba.com/cgi-alnokhba/saudi-all-roads.cgi?type=getinf&code=main&lng=e&city=jeddah

Saudi Arabia in VirtualTourist website, many different opinions from tourist allover the world
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Middle_East/Saudi_Arabia/TravelGuide-Saudi_Arabia.html

Safe trip!

Answer 2

I tried last year (2005/06) to get into Saudi just for a day or so , then onto Egypt - NO CHANCE. Spoke to the Embassy etc.. Go away.
I have very recently seen that they are trying to encourage tourism, so we'll just have to see.

Answer 3

Saudia just started offering tourist visas in June, but I think you can only enter as part of a tour group. You actually cannot go to Makkah - only Muslims are allowed in. But you can watch the religious police beat people in Riyadh, and check out the scenes in places like Jeddah and Taif - I hear they are beautiful.

Answer 4

you can visit but to be honest its not as easy
have 2 contact the Saudi embassy in your country its kinda the same like when Arab these days wanna visit the states or Europe but this is not the case

there are alot f places you can see beside Makkah - Hajj and for that you can contact the tourism ministry here and i think they will help

Answer 5

you have to obtain a visit visa through a certified tour operator or have a sponsor in ksa.

for more information, go to the closet ksa embassy

or ask here: [e-mail]


@ makkavi:

i agree with everything you say, but the magic word is:
"visa", and without that, you can't do anything. the ksa hardly never issues a visa for individuels, only for groups (tourists).

Answer 6

When I lived in Saudi you had to have a visa to get in AND an exit visa to get out.

Answer 7

only when you are invited by a saudi arabian
otherwise you cannot get into this country
therefore visit dubai

Answer 8

Jeddah is a good place

Answer 9

I don't know but I'm sure your trip will be a real "blast."