Why Choose Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a beautiful country which has much to offer visitors. Most visas issued are for pilgrims or business travellers but the country has amazing scenery and vibrant cities which are generally much more modern than most people expect. In recent years the Saudi authorities have made the effort to promote the country to tourists and with airlines offering cheap flights to Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam it’s never been a better time to go.
As Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed, pilgrims often make the journey to the holy cities within the country and always outnumber those who have just come to have a look around. Islamic laws should be adhered to as they form the basis of life in the country and the culture is quite conservative.
Visitors can find any number of bargains at the souk (market). The stallholders will sell anything from rugs to crafts, which reflect life in the country. Saudi Arabia also has a number of department stores in the bigger cities. There are no nightclubs, but there are plenty of restaurants and cafés. Arabic is the official language but many natives speak good English.
Mecca and Madinah are cities with religious significance and for that reason only those of the Islamic faith are permitted entry. For non-Muslim visitors there are several official organised tours available, taking in different historical sites that are open to all visitors. These tour companies can usually deal with the paperwork that is required to visit and booking your excursions with one of these companies is probably the easiest way to visit as a tourist.