Stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Saudi Arabia

OT Staff

Al-Ahsa Oasis

This is the largest oasis in the world, with an area of 85 sq km and 2.3 million date palms. The gardens, canals, springs and historical buildings represent traces of continued human settlement from the Neolithic period.

Al-Ahsa is the largest oasis in the world | Saudi Tourism Authority

At-Turaif District

This historic district in Ad-Dir'iyah, north-west of Riyadh, was the original home of the Saudi royal family and the country's first capital from 1727 until Ottoman control of the area in 1818.

At-Turaif District in Ad-Dir'iyah was Saudi Arabia's first capital | Shutterstock

Al-Hijr Archaeological Site

Formerly known as Hegra, this site is the largest conserved area of the Nabataean civilisation south of Petra in Jordan. It features well-preserved monumental tombs dating from the 1st century BCE to the 1st century AD.

AlUla is part of the Al-Hijr Archaeological Site | Shutterstock

Ḥimā Cultural Area

The Ḥimā Cultural Area contains a substantial collection of rock art images depicting hunting, fauna, flora and lifestyles in a cultural continuity of 7,000 years.

Ancient petroglyphs at the Ḥimā Cultural Area | Wikimedia Commons

Historic Jeddah

Al-Balad is the historic centre of Jeddah and an outstanding reflection of the Red Sea architectural tradition. The style is characterised by imposing tower houses decorated by large wooden Roshan built in the late 19th century.

The historic centre of Jeddah boasts of Red Sea architecture | Shutterstock

Rock Art In The Ha'il Region

The rock art here includes two components in the desert of the Ha'il Region: Om Sinman mountain at the city of Jubbah and al-Manjor and Raat at Al-Shuwaymis. An ancient population left traces of their passings in petroglyphs on the rock's surface, which holds 8,000 years of history.

Petroglyphs in the Ha'il Region of Saudi Arabia | Shutterstock

‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid

This is a protected area in southern Saudi Arabia on the western edge of the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter). The site is notable for the reintroduction of iconic desert animals, including the Arabian oryx and Arabian sand gazelle.

‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid is a protected area in southern Saudi Arabia | Sourced/The National Center for Wildlife

Al-Faw Archaeological Area

As the ancient capital of the Kindah kingdom, the Qaryat Al Faw archeological site contains nearly 12,000 remains, including residential houses, markets, roads, cemeteries, temples and water wells.

A tombstone with engravings in both Nabatean and Musnad scripts from the Qaryat Al Faw | Wikimedia Commons

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Aerial view of Riyadh at night, with the illuminated Kingdom Tower in the centre | Shutterstock
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