Aug 10: Travel has always offered the promise of escape, but increasingly, travelers are seeking something quieter: experiences that leave room for stillness, connection, and a sense of place. In Saudi, the country's newest destinations have been conceived with exactly that in mind. From wellness retreats and island resorts along The Red Sea to ancient cities and dramatic landscapes that invite you to slow down, Saudi is making a compelling case for a more mindful way of travelling
Private islands, pristine reefs, and stays built around nature
Living well sometimes simply means finding a place where the world slows down. Along Saudi's western coastline, The Red Sea destination is home to some of the most secluded island stays in the world. Shebara, set on its own private island, offers an intimate collection of overwater villas surrounded by pristine coral reefs, shaped entirely around quiet and the rhythm of the sea. The St. Regis Red Sea Resort on Shura Island brings refined coastal luxury to the same waters, arriving by seaplane sets the tone for a stay that feels genuinely removed from the everyday.
Move through the landscape, not just across it
For those who want to engage with a place more directly, The Saudi Red Sea coast delivers equally. Desert Rock, carved into the ancient Hejaz Mountains, is built around hiking, climbing, abseiling, and stargazing beneath skies of rare clarity. On Shura Island, Shura Links, the first championship golf course on the Red Sea, offers a round framed entirely by open water and natural dunes. These are experiences that ask something of the traveller and reward them in kind.
Leisure at a scale that rewards a full day
A life well lived has always made room for joy. Aquarabia, Saudi's first water theme park and the largest in the region, opened at Qiddiya City in April 2026 with eight immersive zones inspired by Saudi's own landscapes and wildlife, a full-day experience designed to be explored at leisure, not rushed through. Back in the capital, the city's luxury hotels hold their own as destinations. The Four Seasons Riyadh at Kingdom Centre, occupying the upper floors of the city's most iconic tower, offers two dedicated spa sanctuaries alongside panoramic views across the desert skyline. The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, brings hydrotherapy, hammam rituals, and some of the city's finest dining under one roof. For travelers who believe that how you rest is as important as where you go, Riyadh delivers.
Cities and heritage sites that ask to be taken slowly
Historic Jeddah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rewards time spent wandering through its coral-stone architecture and layered history. AlUla sets ancient Nabataean heritage within a landscape of dramatic sandstone formations unlike anywhere else on earth. Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi state and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right, carries centuries of history within its restored mud-brick walls and invites visitors to explore at their own pace. Each destination offers something that can only be absorbed slowly.
Saudi is not a destination that asks to be rushed through. Whether it is a week between island resorts and reef dives on The Red Sea, a wellness retreat on the shores of Amaala, or a few unhurried days in the ancient streets of AlUla, the experiences here reward time and attention. For travellers who believe that how you travel matters as much as where you go, Saudi is making a case that is increasingly hard to ignore.
It has never been easier to visit. The eVisa programme now covers 66 countries, with UK, US, and Schengen visa holders eligible for an instant eVisa, alongside a free 96-hour Stopover Visa for those passing through. Direct nonstop flights operate daily from London Heathrow and Gatwick to Jeddah.
