SAUDI ARABIA   >   MIDDLE EAST 


Visitor information Saudi Arabia. 

Provinces in Saudi Arabia : Bahah, Hudud Ash Shamaliyah, Jawf, Madinah, Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah ([ astern Province ], Asir, Hail, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is considered one of the oldest Islamic states in the world. It has the Kiblah for all Muslims and the two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah. It is also the birthplace of Mohammad the messenger of Allah, peace and bless be upon him, and the cradle of Islam.

Capital of Saudi Arabia: Riyadh


car hire, hotels, tour operators, travel guides, travel to saudi arabia

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Car Rental Saudi Arabia

  Holiday Autos   -   
Holiday Autos offers the best fully inclusive car hire prices. Get cheap car hire quickly and securely online with holidayautos.co.uk, the experts in online car rental.

Hotels in Saudi Arabia

   -   Hotels in Jeddah and Mecca

 

 
Centrally located hotels ranging from small family run budget accommodation to world-class five star hotels.

Travel Agents / Tour Operators

 
Create your perfect trip to Saudi Arabia  -  Flight, Hotel and Car





  21st Century Haj & Umra Services [ Based in London ]
Various all-inclusive package trips to Saudi Arabia for Haj and Umra.
  Haj & Umra   -   pilgrimage tours from the UK - specialist in all inclusive Hajj and Umrah packages
All Tours Include: Return air fares from London (direct flight with Saudi Arabian airline)  -  All hotel accommodation is fully air-conditioned and near to the Haramain Sharifain (4 people per room with en suite bathroom )  -  Round transfers by air-conditioned coaches, as per itinerary  -  Mina, Arafat, Mozdalifah and ziyarat  -  Religious guides  -  Bank drafts  -  All meals  -  Application for Visa.

Travel Guides Saudi Arabia / Related Books

Saudi Arabia Complete Residents' Guide 
Paperback: 430 pages; Publisher: Explorer Publishing; 1 edition (15 Dec 2011); ISBN-10: 9948858816; ISBN-13: 978-9948858812.

Transportation / How do I travel to Saudi Arabia

SA is bordered by the Red Sea to the west; the Persian Gulf (*), United Arab Emirates and Qatar on the east; Kuwait, Iraq and Jordan to the north and Yemen and the Sultanate of Oman to the south.

  Airports: Al-Baha Al Aqiq and Dhahran-Airport
  Jeddah Airport   -   King Abdulaziz International
  Riyadh Airport    -   King Khaled International
  Dammam Airport   -   King Fahad Airport

  -   Flights to Saudi Arabia 
Book cheap flights to Saudi Arabia at ebookers and benefit from discounted airfares.

  Airline Tickets to Saudi Arabia   -   price comparison possible

  Saudian Railways
The Kingdom has one railway line that extends from Riyadh to Dammam in the Eastern Province. It travels through cities such as Dhran, Hafoof, Bageeg, Herd, and Kharj. In recent years, the railway has been improved and another railway line between Riyadh and Hafoof has been built.

  SAPTCO   -   Saudi Company for Public Transportation  [ buses throughout the country ]
  Shipping
The Kingdom has a number of large seaports where passenger ships berth including Jeddah Islamic Port and Dhiba Port.

A network of highways connects SA with its neighboring countries: Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates. There is also a bridge that connects Bahrain with Al-Khobar.


Links

  Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia   -   Tourist Bureau

  Riyadh   -   Capital City Saudi Arabia and largest city
Riyadh is the seat of government; ministries, embassies, diplomatic missions, as well as It contains educational, financial, agricultural, cultural, technical, commercial and social organizations.

  Al-Ahsa
The largest oasis in Saudi Arabia, Al-Ahsa is an area that extends from the Arabian Gulf to the Dahwa and Oman deserts, and forms the border with Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman. Covering an area of 2,500 kilometers in the southern part of the Eastern Province, it is home to more than 600 ,000 people, who mainly inhabit Al-Ahsa's four major cities: al-Hofuf, Al-Mobarraz, Al-Oyoun, and Al-Oman.
In the long history of this region, inhabitants have included the kanoomites, Jun Hermites, Tasmis and Banu   Abdul Qais. An impressive number of historical sites give witness to the area's importance.
  Al Khobar
Al-Khobar is one of the three main cities in the Eastern Province, the others being Dammam and Dhahran. These three cities form a closely joined triangle which has existed for centuries. In the past, Al-Khobar was a small port on the Arabian Gulf, inhabited mainly by fishermen. With the discovery of oil, it was transformed into an industrial port.
  Dhahran
This city is noted for housing the largest oil company in the world, the government-owned ARAMCO
  Dammam   -   coastal town in the eastern region
Largest city and capital of Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia. It's also a large port in the Persian Gulf involved in import-export activities.
  Jeddah   -   coastal town western region and scond largest city
Main port of the Kingdom on the Red Sea and principal gate through which most of the pilgrims arrive by air and sea to perform Umrah, Haj or to visit the two holy mosques.
The name Jeddah meaning the 'Ancestor of Women' is attributable to a once existing tomb in the city which is believed to belong to Eve. Jeddah which gained importance during the Ottoman rule, was incorporated into the Kingdom of Hejaz and later came under the British control. It joined the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1927.
Jeddah is the commercial and banking capital of Saudi Arabia and the wealthiest city in the Middle East.
  Medina / Madinah  -   holy city
Medina is the second holiest city in Islam. It is the burial place of the central prophet of Islamic faith, Muhammad, making it one of the popular cities in Saudi Arabia.
  Mecca / Makkah   -   holiest place in Islam
Mecca is a pilgrimage site. All Muslims are required to do the Hajj [ pilgrimage to Mecca ] at least once in their lifetime. Mecca is the birthplace of Muhammad the prophet and only Muslims are allowed to reside in the city.

  Taif / Ta'if   -   city in the Makkah Province
It is the centre of an agricultural area known for its grapes and honey. The city is interesting for tourist with it's Al Rudalf Park (a large natural park), Wadi Mitna (the sanctuary of Prophet Muhammad), Al Shafa, Rock Carving Site, Natural Reserve and the Turkish Fort.
Taif is located at the cliff above Mecca where there is a milder climate than the rest of the country. It has been the summer capital of Saudi Arabia for a long time.

  Haij / Haj en Oemra
Hajj is a Holy Pilgrimage. It is one of the pillars of Islam and must be performed by all muslims, if physically and mentally fit and financially able to afford the journey.
Makkah and Al Madinah are two of the most important cities for all Muslims. These cities are where the two Holy Mosques are located along with other sacred sites. Every year millions of Muslims travel to these places to perform Hajj and Umrah and pay a visit to the Prophets' Mosque to greet Muhammad, peace be on him. 

  Historical sites
Such as Mada'in Salih in Diriyah which are renown for their antiquity.

  Al Faisaliyah Center   -   first skyscraper built and the second tallest building in Saudi Arabia
Atop of this the building in Riyadh is a golden ball with a restaurant in it. At ground level there's also a shopping center.
  Corniche
Stretched in the coastal area of the Red Sea is the Corniche where visitors and locals can enjoy the beautiful coral reefs.  Underwater explorations for those who love water sports are very popular in this area. Water skiing, surfing, snorkeling, diving and other water sports are also possible in this area.
  Jeddah fountain [ King's Fountain, 312 meter ]
Jeddah's major landmark since 1980 and the highest fountain in the world.
  Masmak Castle [ Riyadh, 19th-century ]
Made of clay and mud brick fort, thick walls and four watchtowers. It played a major part in Saudi Arabia's history.
  Masjid Al Haram [ also known as the Haram Mosque ]
Masjid Al Haram is the heart of religion and located in the Holy City of Mecca. Haram means "sanctuary". The Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, is placed at the center of the Masjid Al Harams' courtyard.

  Universities in Ryadh
King Saud and the Imam Mohammad bin Saud Islamic University

*) The controversial term Arabian Gulf, the subject of the Persian Gulf naming dispute, may refer to the : a.) Persian Gulf, the internationally recognized name and b) Red Sea, an older name rarely used by some European nations until the nineteenth century. See Persian Gulf naming dispute.

Cuisine  -  Saudi-Arabian cooking

The desert environment and Islam have influenced the Saudi diet.

A typical Saudi meal consists of rice with mildly spiced lamb or chicken, dates and milk products. Food is traditionally eaten with the fingers while sitting cross-legged on the floor.

  Saudi Arabian Cuisine
  Saudi Arabia local food & drink

History

Independent on September 23, 1932 [ unification ]

  History of Saudi Arabia
  Muslim History [ Wikipedia ]

Music, Arts & Culture, Events

The Qur'an forbids the representation of humans and animals in art. Artists, therefore, have focused on abstract designs in architecture, textiles, jewelry and the decoration of weapons and metal utensils.

  Music & Dance in Saudi Arabia

  Culture of Saudi Arabia

  Camel Race
Instituted in 1974 it has become the World's most important and famous camel race. It attracts spectators from all over the world.


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