Saudi Arabia has been at the crossroads of civilizations for centuries, and is a diverse and fascinating travel destination. It is known as the heartland of Islam, but also offers a variety of vibrant urban centers, ancient historic sites, stunning natural scenery, tasty food, and friendly, welcoming people.
The country has long been a mystery to outsiders, but in recent years has opened its borders to independent travelers. In this video, I take you back to one of my favorite journeys, in December 2019, when I had the chance to travel through Saudi Arabia for 2,5 weeks.
From the modern streets of capital city Riyadh to the tranquil islands of Umluj. From the desert landscapes of Al Ula and the Edge of the World to the ruins of the fortified city of Khaybar. From the sacred streets of Medina to the beautiful coastline of Jeddah. And from the massive date trading complex in Buraidah to the grounds of a traditional camel race.
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Here’s a brief overview of the content in this video:
We start our journey in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. While it’s a political and economic centre, it also brims with culture and history. Contrasts are visible at almost every corner, making it a interesting place to explore. Not far from Riyadh is the Edge of the World, one of the country’s most beautiful natural sights.
We briefly stop in Buraidah, famous for its massive dates trading complex, and continue our way to Al UIa, home to some of Saudi Arabia’s most surreal scenery. After exploring the friendly town (with the same name), we stumble upon a local camel race. This ancient sport is still widely popular, and attending a race is a spectacular experience.
Our next destination is the ancient city of Khaybar, where we explore the ruins of this former Jewish stronghold. It’s an imposing, and somewhat daunting site. From here, it’s a few hours drive to the Umluj area, nicknamed as the ‘Maldives of Saudi Arabia’. Known for its unspoiled islands and beautiful beaches, it is destined to become a popular tourist hub.
We travel further to Medina, known as the City of the Prophet, and considered the second holiest city in Islam. It’s fascinating to walk the streets and meet Muslims from all over the world, that come to Medina on the most important spiritual journey of their lives.
Via the highway to Mecca (where we are not allowed to visit), we reach Jeddah, the second largest city in Saudi Arabia. It’s a huge commercial and economic center, and often described as more liberal that other places in the country.
Timestamps / video chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:32 Riyadh
6:46 Edge of the World
10:23 Buraidah
11:47 Al Ula
13:34 Camel races
16:36 Khaybar
18:01 Umluj
20:50 Medina
25:30 Mecca
26:16 Jeddah
32:31 End