From ancient towns to modern cities, there are plenty of different locations to explore in Saudi Arabia. History enthusiasts often flock to the Al-Hijr archaeological grounds, which was declared the country’s first World Heritage Site in 2008.
The breath-taking complex includes more than 100 decorated tombs, in addition to rock sculptures, water wells and numerous architectural remains, many of which date back to the first century BC. Saudi Arabia’s other historical attractions include the Masmak fortress in Riyadh, which was constructed around 1865, and Al-Diriyah, a 500-year old town with gems such as Salwa Palace, At-Turaif Bath House and Imam Mohammad bin Saud Mosque.
In addition to celebrating its past, Saudi Arabia has experienced an unprecedented level of development in recent years, with the construction of world-class skyscrapers, shopping malls and entertainment centres. In the capital city of Riyadh, for instance, Kingdom Tower and Al Faisaliah Centre have emerged as national landmarks, containing their own shopping centres, restaurants and food courts. Further examples of cutting-edge design and functionality can be found in other parts of the country too, such as Khuzam Tower and King Fahad’s Fountain in Jeddah, or the Dammam Corniche.