There’s a special kind of thrill in being the first — posting a photo that stops your followers mid-scroll, standing where the footprints are few, or tasting something that hasn’t yet been endlessly hashtagged.
Millions have snapped the world’s most famous landmarks and queued for the same trending restaurants, but Saudi, the Land of Firsts, offers a chance to uncover untold stories, untouched landscapes, and adventures no one else can claim.
From shimmering coasts to ancient traditions, the Saudi Red Sea from Jeddah to the Red Sea Resorts, as well as the mountainous areas of the Aseer region invites you to carve your own path. Be among the first to answer this land’s call — because experiences this extraordinary won’t stay secret for long. Here’s how to make the most of your visit to the Saudi Red Sea region.
Day 1: Explore Jeddah’s fascinating history
Check in to one of Historic Jeddah’s traditional houses.
In Jeddah’s UNESCO-listed Historic Jeddah district, daily life continues as it has for centuries among cobbled alleyways and weathered coral-stone buildings. Check into one of the area’s newly unveiled boutique hotels – Beit Jokhdar, Beit Al Rayess or Beit Kedwan – the first luxurious stays of their kind. Each former family home has been painstakingly restored by local craftsmen, with hand-carved wooden details, traditional rawasheen window lattices and materials sourced from the bustling souqs of Jeddah.
Unearth old Jeddah’s authentic history guided by Saudi experts.
After checking in to your new home away from home, step out into Historic Jeddah’s labyrinthine streets, now fully open to curious explorers following an extensive program of restoration. A walk with a local expert guide – many of whom grew up in the area and still have family businesses tucked among the maze of streets – takes you past intricate merchant houses, souqs brimming with the scent of oud and spices, quiet corners and secret spots.
Feast on the freshest fish straight from the Saudi Red Sea
As the sun dips below the horizon, make your way to Al Basli, a seafood restaurant that’s one of the oldest in the city and a local institution. Here, the Saudi Red Sea takes centre stage with grilled fish pulled fresh from its waters, and smoky flavours that reflect generations of culinary tradition, and a sense of warmth that feels distinctly local.
Day 2: Sleep among the dunes in five-star luxury
Discover the desert dunes like never before
A five-hour drive north from Jeddah along the Saudi Red Sea coastline – or a short flight into Red Sea International Airport, Six Senses Southern Dunes is one of the first luxury retreats of its kind in this historic region, offering a reimagined connection to the country’s ancient landscapes. Villas echo desert rock formations with generous shaded courtyards and interiors that mix earthy textures with opulent touches. From your private terrace, gaze out at the mountains, their silhouettes shimmering in the morning light. Alternatively, stay at the newest hotel to open in the region, Desert Rock, set where mountains meet desert, with villas that merge seamlessly into the ancient rocky landscapes.
Stay in Saudi’s pioneering overwater resorts.
Just a 20-minute drive from the Six Senses, the Saudi Red Sea’s overwater resorts are a brand-new concept in the country, making your visit a rare opportunity to be among the first to experience this untouched marine wonderland. Shebara is suspended above shimmering turquoise waters, with its orb-like villas mirroring the fluidity of the ocean. Step out onto your private deck for views of brilliant blue skies melting into endless horizons.
Day 3: Swim in crystal clear waters
Explore untouched coral reefs in the Saudi Red Sea
Don a snorkel or climb into a kayak to explore coral reefs so vivid they seem almost otherworldly, teeming with marine life that dart and shimmer like jewels in the sunlight. Paddle through hidden lagoons and drift past underwater gardens for an intimate encounter with a natural world that feels so untouched you might well be the first to discover its secrets.
Day 4: Discover cuisine and culture in the mountainous Abha region
Cook your meal Aseeri style
After a quick flight via Jeddah to the rocky southern region of Abha, gather around an underground clay oven as a local chef carefully prepares traditional haneeth by marinating spiced meat in glowing embers and sealing it beneath hot sand. The slow roasting creates a tenderness so perfect it melts on your tongue.
Meet the Flower Men and wear a crown made from blooms
Nearby in the lush mountain highlands of Aseer, discover the unique ancient heritage of the Flower Men. Adorning their heads with vibrant garlands of marigolds, jasmine and basil, these crowns are more than just striking accessories — they carry over 2,000 years of history.
Return to Jeddah and end your trip with a walk on the Waterfront, where you can watch the tallest fountain in the world, the King Fahd Fountain, pierce the sky. Afterwards, take an evening wander among the food stalls, cafés, and restaurants brimming with delicious snacks.
Images provided by Saudi Tourism Authority
To learn more and plan your trip, visit the Visit Saudi website.
