By the holidaysaudi.com team · Updated 3 September 2026
Ten days is the sweet spot for a first trip to Saudi Arabia. It covers the capital Riyadh, the desert valleys of AlUla and the Red Sea port of Jeddah without spending half the holiday in transit. The country is enormous (Riyadh to Jeddah is roughly 950 km), so this route uses two domestic flights rather than long drives: Riyadh to AlUla, then AlUla to Jeddah. Book early: AlUla's small airport has only a few flights a week on some routes. Compare fares on Trip.com.
The best time for this route is from late October to March, when days in Riyadh and AlUla are warm rather than scorching and desert nights can be genuinely cold. See our best time to visit guide.
Days 1–3: Riyadh and Diriyah
Day 1: old Riyadh
Start where the modern kingdom began, at Masmak Fort, the mud-brick fortress stormed by Abdulaziz Ibn Saud in 1902. Around it lies the Qasr Al Hokm district and the traditional Souq Al Zal. In the late afternoon, walk to the National Museum in the King Abdulaziz Historical Center.
Day 2: Diriyah
Spend the day in Diriyah, on the north-western edge of Riyadh. Its centrepiece, the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif district, was the seat of the first Saudi state in the 18th century and has been carefully restored, with museums inside the palaces. Arrive in the late afternoon so you can see the mud-brick walls glow at sunset, then cross to the Bujairi Terrace for dinner overlooking the old town. Tickets are sold online and opening hours change with the season, so check before you go.
Day 3: Edge of the World and the skyline
Leave early for the Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn), where the Tuwaiq escarpment drops away into an endless plain. It is around two hours each way, the last stretch on a rough track that needs a 4x4, so most visitors join a tour: compare options on GetYourGuide. Back in town, take the lift to the Sky Bridge of the Kingdom Centre for the night view over the city.
Days 4–7: AlUla
Day 4: arrive in AlUla
Fly to AlUla in the morning (the flight from Riyadh takes around one hour forty minutes). Pick up a rental car at the airport, as sights are spread across a wide valley; compare cars on DiscoverCars. In the late afternoon, wander the lanes of AlUla Old Town, a maze of mud-brick houses below a hilltop fort, and eat at one of the restaurants on its restored main street.
Day 5: Hegra
Hegra, Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the reason most people come to AlUla. More than 100 monumental tombs were carved into the sandstone by the Nabataeans, the same people who built Petra, about 2,000 years ago. Visits start at the visitor centre and must be booked in advance on the official Experience AlUla website; tours sell out in high season.
Day 6: Elephant Rock, Dadan and Maraya
See the ancient inscriptions of Dadan and Jabal Ikmah in the morning, then rest during the heat of the day. Drive out to see Maraya, the mirrored concert hall that reflects the canyon around it, and finish at Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil) at sunset, when low seating and fire pits are set out on the sand.
Day 7: canyons, hikes and the night sky
Keep a slower day for hiking in the Ashar valley or a visit to the Harrat Viewpoint. AlUla's skies are very dark, and a stargazing session in the desert is one of the most memorable things you can do here: compare tours on GetYourGuide. For hotels, see AlUla on Booking.com.
Days 8–10: Jeddah and the Red Sea
Day 8: Al Balad
Fly from AlUla to Jeddah (around one hour and a half) and spend the afternoon and evening in Al Balad, the historic quarter of coral-stone tower houses with carved wooden balconies (rawasheen). It comes alive after sunset, when the souqs fill up.
Day 9: the Red Sea
Take to the water. Boat trips from the northern Obhur area head to reefs where you can snorkel among hard corals and reef fish; see our Red Sea diving and snorkelling guide. In the evening, walk the Jeddah Corniche and watch King Fahd's Fountain, one of the tallest fountains in the world, after dark.
Day 10: last morning
Use the final morning for shopping for dates and coffee, or a short trip to the cooler mountain town of Taif if your flight leaves late. Note that non-Muslims may not enter Makkah, which lies about an hour from Jeddah; signs on the highway show where the restricted area begins.
| Days | Base | Highlights | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Riyadh | Masmak Fort, National Museum, Diriyah, Edge of the World | International flight |
| 4–7 | AlUla | Old Town, Hegra, Elephant Rock, Maraya, stargazing | Flight, about 1 h 40 min |
| 8–10 | Jeddah | Al Balad, Red Sea snorkelling, Corniche | Flight, about 1 h 30 min |
Practical tips for the route
- Visa: most visitors apply online before they fly; see our eVisa guide.
- Connectivity: you need data for ride-hailing apps, maps and tickets. A Saudi eSIM from Airalo is the easiest option.
- Getting around: Riyadh has a modern metro and Uber and Careem work in every city; in AlUla, a car is close to essential. More in getting around.
- Insurance: the eVisa includes basic medical cover, but it does not cover cancellations. Consider extra travel insurance and read the policy terms on travel advice carefully.
Tours: 10 Days in Saudi Arabia: Riyadh, AlUla and Jeddah
Compare guided trips, transfers and tickets.
Frequently asked questions
Is 10 days enough for Saudi Arabia?
Ten days is enough for a first trip covering Riyadh, AlUla and Jeddah at a comfortable pace, using two domestic flights. You will not see the whole country, which is vast, but you will get a good feel for its history, desert landscapes and coast.
Do I need a car for this itinerary?
Not in Riyadh or Jeddah, where the Riyadh Metro, Uber and Careem work well. In AlUla a rental car makes life much easier, because the main sites are spread over a wide area and public transport is limited.
Should I book Hegra in advance?
Yes. Hegra can only be visited on a booked tour from the visitor centre, and slots sell out in the cooler months. Book on the official Experience AlUla website as soon as your dates are fixed.
Can I visit Makkah on this trip?
Only if you are Muslim. Non-Muslims may not enter Makkah. Madinah is open to all visitors, although the central area around the Prophet's Mosque is reserved for Muslims.
Header photo: Photo: Prof. Mortel, CC BY 2.0
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