Perfect One Week Saudi Arabia Itinerary

This one week Saudi Arabia itinerary takes you to the cities of Riyadh, Al Ula, Medina, and Jeddah. Using multiple forms of transportation, it allows you to see all of the best sites in the country in the least time possible.

READ FIRST: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Saudi Arabia

I reccomend reading this guide before delving into this itinerary. It will give you the overview of everything that you need to know before planning the specifics of your Saudi Arabia Itinerary

One Week Saudi Arabia Itinerary

This one week itinerary takes you to the cities of Riyadh, Al Ula, Medina, and Jeddah. It includes a combination of flights, driving, and trains.

In order to fit everything in a week, this itinerary has you starting in Riyadh and finishing in Jeddah. I reccomend using Skyscanner to book multi-city trips, as they are usually cheaper than booking two one way tickets.

Looking for a Longer Itinerary? Check out the perfect Saudi Arabia Road Trip Itineraries

Days 1-2: Arrive in Riyadh, explore Riyadh, Edge of the World

Transport: In Riyadh, you can choose to either rent a car, or you can chose to use Ubers or taxis, which are fairly affordable in Riyadh. I reccomend calling a taxi via Careem or Uber App to ensure safety.

Al Turaif

My favorite site in Riyadh is the Al Turaif District. Serving as the inaugural capital of Saudi Arabia, it stands as one of the nation’s paramount landmarks. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Al Turaif District boasts profound historical significance. It’s worth noting that the operational hours of Al Turaif vary with the seasons, thus it’s prudent to verify beforehand.

Al Masmak Palace

Here, lies the historical ground where Ibn Saud, the architect of Modern Day Saudi Arabia, inaugurated his vision and laid the foundation of the state. Adjacent to this landmark is Deera Square, a place that once witnessed the notorious public executions of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, within close proximity lies Souk Al-Zal, a bustling marketplace renowned for its traditional charm and expansive offerings in the heart of Riyadh.

A shop in the souk selling traditional spices

Kingdom Tower

If you’re a fan of tall buildings, a visit to Kingdom Tower offers you stunning views of Riyadh. Admission to the tower costs 60 SAR and can be purchased at the door.

Edge of the World

Edge of the World —an awe-inspiring 1.1 km cliff commanding views over the Tuwaiq Mountain range— offers a first glimpse into the stunning nature in Saudi Arabia. Previously, adventurers could embark on a self-driven expedition to this magnificent site. However, there was a fatal accident a few years ago, leading to the implementation of stringent regulations by the Saudi Police. Now, independent travel to the Edge of the World is prohibited. Having personally visited this marvel twice post the restriction, I can attest to the vigilant police presence monitoring the area daily. Opting for a guided tour is the best choice to access this remarkable destination. I’ve taken this tour twice myself, I really reccomend it!

Day 3: Fly to Madinah, Drive to Al Ula

Start day three by booking a domestic flight to Madinah, the second-holiest city in Islam. This will serve as a base to explore Al Ula in Northern Saudi Arabia.

Tickets can be quite affordable (from $50), and try to book in advance to ensure the best prices.

You’ll also want to reserve a rental car for 3 days, as you will use the rental car to drive to Al Ula and back. I reccomend using rentalcars.com. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to connect between Al Ula and Madinah without a rental car. Luckily, driving between Madinah and Al Ula is some of the easiest driving in Saudi Arabia. There are new highways, and the roads within Al Ula are very nice with almost no traffic.

Once you land in Madinah, pick your car up directly from the airport and begin the four hour drive to AlUla.

Day 4: Explore Al Ula

There are 4 main sites that I reccomend exploring in Al Ula: Hegra, Dadan and Jebel Ikmah, the Old Town, and Elephant Rock.

It is important to note that all sites in Al Ula (except Elephant rock), must be seen on an arranged guided tour. These tickets often sell out in advance, so it is important to book early.

Hegra

Hegra is a site where the ancient Nabataeans carved stunning tombs into the desert limestone rocks. The site is like a less-touristy Petra in Jordan, and it is an absolute must visit attraction in Al Ula. Tickets cost 95 SAR and can be bought here.

Dadan and Jebel Ikmah

Dedan and Jebel Ikmah tours combine two important sites into one tour: Dedan and Jebel Ikmah.

Dedan was an ancient city inhabited by the Dedanite people. The tour starts with visiting the archeology site as well as the tombs cut into the cliffsides.

Afterwards, it continues onwards to Jebel Ikmah, or library mountain. It is called this because it is one of the largest collections of pre-modern stone writings in the world. The oasis at Jebel Ikmah is absolutely covered in writings that span thousands of years.

Old Town Tour

I also reccomend checking out Al Ula Old Town, a 1,000 year old mud brick village. You have to book a guided tour to enter the site. Tickets cost 70 SAR and can be bought here.

Elephant Rock

Elephant Rock is perhaps one of the most iconic places in Al Ula. It is completely free to enter, and I reccomend checking it out for sunset.

Day Five: Al Ula Drive Back to Medinah

This morning, I reccomend visiting whatever sites you didn’t have time to see on the first day at al Ula.

In the afternoon, take the four hour drive back to Madinah to return your rental car.

Take a taxi back into the city and spend the night in Madinah.

Day Six: Explore Medinah, Take the train to Jeddah

Masjid Al Nabawi

Start your morning very early with a trip to Masjid Al Nabawi for sunrise. This is the second holiest site in Islam, and is the location where the Prophet Mohammed was buried.

You cannot enter the mosque if you are not Muslim, but you can enjoy the incredibly energy of the courtyard, where millions of pilgrims come each year to pray.
The area near the mosque is very congested and it is almost impossible to find parking, so I reccomend that you take a taxi from your hotel.

Take Train to Jeddah

In the afternoon, you’ll want to take the high-speed train to Jeddah. This train is an incredibly clean and modern bullet train. Economy tickets typically cost between SAR 150 and SAR 250.

Tickets often sell out, so be sure to book in advance here.

Jeddah Corniche

Once you get to Jeddah and settle in to your hotel, I reccomend a late-night visit to the Jeddah Corniche, a bustling waterfront promenade that truly comes alive after dusk. Among its notable attractions, standouts include the grandeur of King Fahd’s Fountain, recognized as one of the largest of its kind globally. Additionally, you can visit the breathtaking Al Rahma Floating Mosque, an architectural gem that exudes serenity. It’s worth noting that while the mosque’s interior is inaccessible to non-Muslim visitors, its exterior beauty remains a captivating sight to behold.

Day Seven: Explore Jeddah

Al Balad

The last day of this Saudi Arabia Itinerary is dedicated to exploring the best sites of Jeddah. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this ancient quarter is filled with labyrinthine streets lined with hundreds of exquisite wooden residences. Spend a few hours wandering this incredible district.

Al Tayebat Museum

If you have time before a late night flight, I also reccomend checking out Tayebat Museum. It’s an absolutely giant museum that tells the entire history of Saudi Arabia. It’s also fun and incredibly informative. The museum costs 80 SAR to enter, and you can easily spend hours here. The local staff speak great English and are happy to give you a guided tour.