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How many days in Saudi Arabia? 8 days for Riyadh, AlUla and Jeddah
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Saudi Arabia opened to tourist visas only in 2019, and much of it still feels new to visitors. Eight days links its three big experiences with two domestic flights: the capital Riyadh and the mud-brick birthplace of the state at Diriyah, the desert canyons and 2,000-year-old tombs of AlUla, and the Red Sea port of Jeddah, where coral-stone houses with wooden balconies line the old town. Travel from October to March; the summer is too hot for the desert.
Short answer
Six days covers Riyadh (2), AlUla (2) and Jeddah (2). Eight gives AlUla a third day for Dadan and the canyons, and adds a Red Sea day from Jeddah.
The 8-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Riyadh: Masmak and the Murabba district
Morning. Begin at Masmak Fort (free), the clay fortress where the modern Saudi story starts in 1902, then the carpets, perfumes and coffee pots of Souq Al Zal nearby.
Afternoon. Spend the hot hours in the National Museum of Saudi Arabia (about 10-25 SAR), then the adjoining Murabba Palace, the founding king's 1930s residence.
Evening. Take the Riyadh Metro or a taxi to the Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge (about 70-80 SAR) for the night view, then dinner of kabsa in Olaya.
Use the new Riyadh Metro (about 4 SAR for 2 hours) to avoid traffic on King Fahd Road.
Day 2: Edge of the World and Diriyah
Morning. Join a dawn 4x4 tour (about 250-450 SAR) to the Edge of the World, cliffs of the Tuwaiq Escarpment 90 km north-west of the city.
Afternoon. Rest, then go to Diriyah for At-Turaif (about 100 SAR, book online), the UNESCO-listed mud-brick capital of the first Saudi state, which opens mainly in the late afternoon.
Evening. Eat at Bujairi Terrace, facing the floodlit At-Turaif palaces across Wadi Hanifa.
If the Edge of the World is closed for weather, visit Ushaiqer heritage village instead (about 2 hours).
Day 3: Fly to AlUla: Old Town and Elephant Rock
Morning. Fly from Riyadh to AlUla (about 1h30). Pick up a hire car at the airport (about 200-350 SAR a day) or use the AlUla hop-on hop-off bus.
Afternoon. Walk the restored AlUla Old Town, a maze of about 900 mud-brick houses on a rock outcrop, with the AlUla Fort above.
Evening. Watch the sunset at Jabal AlFil, Elephant Rock, a 52-metre sandstone formation, from the cafe seats in the sand around it.
Most AlUla sites are by timed ticket only; book on the Experience AlUla website a few days ahead.
Day 4: Hegra, the Nabataean city
Morning. Take the guided bus tour of Hegra (Mada'in Salih, about 100-300 SAR depending on the tour), Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO site. More than 110 tombs are cut into sandstone, including the lone Qasr al-Farid.
Afternoon. Visit Jabal Ithlib and the Diwan, a hall cut into the rock for Nabataean banquets, on the same tour, then rest at your hotel.
Evening. See a concert or exhibition at Maraya, the mirrored building in the Ashar valley that reflects the desert around it (check the calendar).
Book Hegra early in the day in October and March, when it can still be 30°C at noon.
Day 5: Dadan, Jabal Ikmah and the canyons
Morning. Visit Dadan (about 95 SAR with Jabal Ikmah), capital of the ancient Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms, with tombs carved into the cliff, including two with lion reliefs.
Afternoon. Continue to Jabal Ikmah, an open-air library of hundreds of inscriptions, then hike or ride a buggy in the Ashar or Harrat Viewpoint areas.
Evening. Join a stargazing tour in the desert (about 150-300 SAR), in one of the darkest skies in the region.
AlUla hotels and resorts fill early during the Winter at Tantora festival (roughly December to February).
Day 6: Fly to Jeddah: Al-Balad
Morning. Fly from AlUla to Jeddah (about 1h20). Check in near the corniche or the old town.
Afternoon. Walk Al-Balad, the UNESCO-listed old town of coral-stone houses with carved wooden rawasheen balconies. See Nassif House (free or small fee), where King Abdulaziz stayed in 1925.
Evening. Eat in the lanes of Al-Balad, where food stalls sell mutabbaq and balila, especially in the evening when the streets fill.
Al-Balad comes alive after sunset; the restoration work means some lanes are closed, so follow the signposted heritage route.
Day 7: Jeddah corniche and the Red Sea
Morning. Snorkel or dive on the coral reefs of the Red Sea from Obhur (about 30-40 minutes north; boat trips around 250-500 SAR).
Afternoon. Walk the Jeddah Corniche and its sculptures, and visit the Al Rahma (Floating) Mosque on stilts over the water.
Evening. Watch King Fahd's Fountain, which shoots water about 300 metres high, from the corniche after dark.
Non-Muslims cannot enter Makkah, 80 km away; signs on the highways show the non-Muslim route around it.
Day 8: Jeddah, then fly home
Morning. Visit the Tayebat City Museum or relax at a beach club in Obhur.
Afternoon. Head to King Abdulaziz International Airport (about 30-45 minutes).
Evening. Fly home or onward.
Allow plenty of time at Jeddah airport during Hajj and Umrah seasons, when terminals are very busy.
Only have 6 days?
With 6 days, spend one day in Riyadh, two in AlUla and two in Jeddah, skipping the Edge of the World and Dadan.
Got extra days?
Extra days go to the cool mountain town of Abha and the hanging village of Rijal Almaa, the rose farms of Taif (90 minutes from Jeddah), or the Red Sea islands of the new Red Sea Global resorts.
Where to stay in Saudi Arabia
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Olaya (Riyadh) / Al-Balad (Jeddah) | Simple hotels near the metro or the old town. | 250-400 SAR |
| Mid-range | AlUla Old Town area | Walk to the Old Town and the night markets, close to Elephant Rock. | 600-1,200 SAR |
| Mid-range | Jeddah Corniche | Sea views, walks along the waterfront. | 500-900 SAR |
| Comfort | AlUla canyon resorts | Luxury tented or villa resorts in the Ashar valley. | 2,500-6,000 SAR |
Getting around
Fly between cities on Saudia, flynas or flyadeal; one-way fares are about 250-600 SAR booked ahead. In Riyadh, use the metro and Uber or Careem; in AlUla, a hire car or the official shuttle; in Jeddah, ride-hailing. The Haramain high-speed train links Jeddah with Makkah and Madinah, but non-Muslims may only ride to Jeddah's stations and to Madinah.
What to eat in Saudi Arabia
Each region cooks differently. In Najd (Riyadh), kabsa and jareesh; in the Hejaz (Jeddah), saleeg (creamy rice with chicken), fish sayadiyah and mutabbaq. Everywhere, gahwa coffee with dates. AlUla's farms grow citrus and dates, served in restaurants such as Suhail in the Old Town. A meal costs 30-60 SAR in a local place and 150-300 SAR in a fine restaurant.
Best time to visit
November to February, with highs of 20-28°C in Riyadh and AlUla and 28-30°C in Jeddah. Nights in AlUla can fall below 10°C. From May to September, inland temperatures exceed 45°C and Jeddah is extremely humid. Hotels in AlUla are most expensive during the winter festival season.
Month-by-month weather for Saudi Arabia →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | 180 SAR | 400 SAR | 1,200 SAR |
| Food & drink | 80 SAR | 180 SAR | 400 SAR |
| Sights & tickets | 60 SAR | 200 SAR | 400 SAR |
| Local transport | 40 SAR | 120 SAR | 250 SAR |
| Total per person, per day | about 360 SAR | about 900 SAR | about 2,250 SAR |
Approximate 2026 prices in Saudi riyals (3.75 SAR to the US dollar); domestic flights are extra, and hotels add 15% VAT.
Before you go
Common questions
How do I get a tourist visa for Saudi Arabia?
Citizens of more than 60 countries can apply for a tourist e-visa on the official Visit Saudi portal, usually approved in minutes. It costs about 535 SAR including medical insurance, is valid for one year and allows stays of up to 90 days. Some nationalities with US, UK or Schengen visas can get one on arrival.
Can women travel alone in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Since 2019, women over 18 can travel, check into hotels and rent cars on their own. Abayas are not required for foreign women, but dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees. Restaurants no longer need separate family sections, though some still have them. Many solo women travellers report feeling safe.
Is AlUla worth the extra flight?
Yes: it is the highlight of most trips. Hegra's tombs are comparable to Petra but with far fewer visitors, and the desert landscapes, the Old Town and Elephant Rock are best seen over two or three days. Fly from Riyadh or Jeddah, or drive about 7-8 hours from Madinah.
Can non-Muslims visit Makkah and Madinah?
Non-Muslims cannot enter Makkah at all. In Madinah, they can visit the city, but not the central area around the Prophet's Mosque. Highways around Makkah have clearly marked routes for non-Muslims. Jeddah, Riyadh, AlUla and the rest of the country are open to all visitors.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan from official tourism, transport and attraction sources and on-the-ground travel knowledge. Prices are approximate for 2026 and change with season; anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.
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