Saudi Arabia Travel Report — Red Sea, AlUla & Modern Desert

Saudi Arabia — A country that defies all stereotypes

Saudi Arabia as a travel destination? Unthinkable just a few years ago. But since the introduction of the tourist visa in 2019, the country has completely opened up—and what I experienced there blew me away. The Red Sea has coral reefs that rival the Great Barrier Reef, Al Ula looks like Mars, and the hospitality is some of the warmest I have ever encountered.

The Red Sea — Pristine Coral Reefs

Jeddah was our starting point for exploring the Red Sea coast. The coral reefs here are still almost untouched—no mass tourism, no snorkeling boats every minute. We saw turtles, rays, and reef sharks. The NEOM region in the north is currently being developed into a mega-resort, but as of now, the Red Sea is still a real insider tip.

AlUla — Desert Art and World Heritage

AlUla is New Zealand's Queenstown for the Middle East—a place so surreal in its beauty that photos simply can't do it justice. The sandstone cliffs of Hegra (Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site) are reminiscent of Petra in Jordan, but without the crowds. The Maraya Concert Hall—a completely mirrored cube in the desert—is the most photogenic building I've ever seen.

Practical tips

visa

E-visa online in 5 minutes for approximately €120. No waiting time, no embassy required.

Dress code

As a woman, you no longer have to wear an abaya. Covering your shoulders and knees is sufficient. In Jeddah and Riyadh, people dress surprisingly modernly.

Cost for 10 days

Position	Cost
Flight	400 €
Hotels	700 €
Rental car + petrol	350 €
Food & Activities	400 €
In total	~1.850 €