TRAVEL NEWS – January 9, 2024: Sanat jadidat saeida! Happy new year! Saudi Arabia is also ready to welcome travelers from the Netherlands and Belgium with open arms in 2024. And to get to know the hospitable people, lively cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah, five world heritage sites and numerous modern, innovative highlights. This year we will send regular updates about different activities and beautiful, surprising places that make a visit to the country more than worthwhile.
Direct flights
Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest growing destinations in the world and for good reason. The Arab country has only been open to tourists since 2019 and is therefore still largely undiscovered. While it is quick and easy to reach! For example, KLM and Saudia Airlines depart directly to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam several times a week. From Brussels, Flynas and Saudi Arabian Airlines fly to Jeddah, the beautiful city on the Red Sea, in less than 6 hours. Residents of the Netherlands and Belgium can do so via the website visitsaudi.com apply for an electronic visa (e-visa), which allows you to travel relaxed without any hassle.
Sports and spectacle
The fifth edition of the Dakar Saudi Arabia car race started on January 5. The most exciting rally of the year and an adventure for man and machine! The participants started in the valley of AlUla, an important city of the ancient Nabataean kingdom, and traveled straight through the desert of Rub' al Khali to end in Yanbu on January 19. If you haven't had enough of car racing and spectacle, you can prepare for the second race of the new Formula 1 season. The premier class of the racing industry will return to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit from March 7 to 9. Do you want to encourage Max Verstappen and his colleagues? Please contact Gábor Margés, from Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) in the Netherlands, at [email protected].
Iconic highlights
In addition to sporting activities, Saudi Arabia offers a wide variety of authentic cultural highlights. These are some of our favorites:
- Riyadh, capital of the Kingdom and the largest city in the country with 7,6 million inhabitants. It is located in the middle of the Arabian Peninsula and the first remains date from the 14th century. There are numerous museums, such as the National Museum and the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, that are fun to visit. You can shop in one of the modern malls. And those who prefer to get out and about can visit an oasis or take a ride in a 4WD through the sand dunes. But what you really shouldn't miss is a trip to Al-Diriyah, the cradle of modern-day Saudi Arabia, a few kilometers from Riyadh. This old city consists of several neighborhoods, of which Al Turaif is the most important. Here you will find seven thousand square kilometers of perfectly reconstructed mud-brick houses built in the traditional Najdi architectural style. This makes it one of the largest mud brick structures in the world.
- Jeddah, metropolis on the Red Sea. Known for Formula 1, but a city with an old soul, and an extensive boulevard with fountains. Al-Balad is the historic center with more than 650 pastel-hued buildings, where you can wander around in an authentic Arabic atmosphere. No wonder it is now on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- AlUla en Hegra, the rugged AlUla valley has been carved out between the rocks over the centuries. In the past, the caravans of the spice route passed through here. Now you can walk among the palm trees, sleep in luxurious hotels or take a hot air balloon ride over the red moon landscape. Nearby is the Nabatean royal city of Hegra, which also has beautiful rock formations, including the much-photographed Elephant Rock. In this region, impeccable nature combines with futuristic architecture such as the Maraya Concert Hall, a music building surrounded by mirrors and the largest reflective building in the world.
- taboo, the province is located in the northwest of the peninsula. Here mountains and desert come together. A fresh green environment, suitable for adventure. And anyone who thinks that it is always hot in Saudi Arabia is wrong, because in Tabuk it can actually snow in winter.
- Red Sea, crystal clear water, schools of the most colorful fish, reefs and coral. It can all be found on the Red Sea coast. The coastline is about 1760 km long and runs along the west coast of the country. The area is rapidly developing to become a luxurious destination for anyone who loves sun, sea and beach holidays.
About Saudi Tourism Authority
Established in June 2020, Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) is responsible for promoting Saudi Arabia's tourism destinations worldwide and developing the destination's offering through programs, packages and business support. The mandate includes developing the country's unique destinations, organizing and participating in industry events, and promoting Saudi Arabia's destination brand locally and abroad. STA has 16 representative offices around the world, serving 38 countries.
For more information please visit www.VisitSaudi.com
