Saudi Arabia is rewriting its travel story—bold new cultural districts and glossy skylines meet Bronze Age rock art and Nabataean tombs. In one week you’ll feel the pulse of Riyadh, then slow your pace among AlUla’s palm oases, sandstone mesas, and Hegra’s silent, intricate facades.

Historically a crossroads of caravans, the Kingdom is home to ancient Lihyanite capitals, early Islamic sites, and the Nabataeans—cousins of Petra’s builders—who sculpted Hegra. Today, Diriyah’s mud-brick lanes neighbor design-forward restaurants; in AlUla, the shimmering Maraya concert hall mirrors a timeless desert.

Practical notes: many nationalities can apply for a Saudi eVisa; weekends are Friday–Saturday; dress modestly; alcohol is prohibited; and prayer times may shift opening hours. Winter (Nov–Mar) brings cool nights; summers soar, so plan sunrise/sunset outings. Food is a highlight—think fragrant kabsa, jareesh, and smoky lamb hanith—best enjoyed on carpets under the stars.

Riyadh

Riyadh is the Kingdom’s energetic engine, all sleek towers, wide boulevards, and a food scene that ranges from old Najdi kitchens to haute kitchens in KAFD. Culture runs deep: the Masmak Fortress birthed modern Saudi history; nearby Deera souqs scent the air with oud and spices.

• Top sights: National Museum, Masmak Fortress, Deera Souq, Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge, Boulevard Riyadh City, Wadi Hanifah, and the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif in Diriyah.
• Why go now: new galleries, chef-led kitchens, and restored heritage quarters make the city both forward-looking and rooted.
• Food to try: jareesh, kabsa, mutabbaq, date-laden desserts, and standout specialty coffee.

Where to stay: Base yourself in Olaya or the Diplomatic Quarter for easy access to museums and dining. Browse stays on VRBO Riyadh or compare hotels on Hotels.com Riyadh.

Getting in from Dubai: Nonstop flights Dubai–Riyadh take ~2–2.5 hours; expect ~$120–250 one-way depending on season. Search options on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

AlUla

AlUla is Saudi Arabia’s showstopper—a canyon-ribbed oasis lined with date palms, artfully lit at night, and dotted with tombs carved over 2,000 years ago. It’s the kind of landscape that turns a stroll into a memory and a sunset into a story.

• Top sights: Hegra (UNESCO), Dadan & Jabal Ikmah inscriptions, Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil), AlUla Old Town, and the mirrored Maraya hall.
• Why go: ethereal geology, star-bright nights, and guided access to world-class archaeology.
• Good to know: distances are short, but sites are gated; many experiences require guided visits and timed slots.

Where to stay: Choose AlUla Old Town for ambiance or desert resorts for drama. See options on VRBO AlUla or Hotels.com AlUla.

Getting there from Riyadh: Flights are ~1.5–2 hours when direct; some days route via Jeddah or Medina (total 3–5 hours). Typical fares range ~$120–220. Check schedules on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 1 — Arrive in Riyadh (Afternoon/Evening)

Afternoon: Fly from Dubai in the morning and land in Riyadh around midday. Check into your hotel in Olaya or the Diplomatic Quarter. Shake off the travel with a gentle wander through Wadi Hanifah’s landscaped paths and palm groves.

Evening: Head to Diriyah’s Bujairi Terrace as golden hour lights up the At-Turaif mud-brick walls. For dinner, book Suhail for elevated Saudi plates (think slow-cooked lamb shoulder, jareesh, and date-glazed desserts) or choose Najd Village for floor seating, clay-pot stews, and a time-capsule Najdi experience.

Nightcap: Specialty coffee at Camel Step Coffee Roasters—order a Saudi-grown pour-over if available—then lights out early.

Day 2 — Riyadh’s Heritage to High-Rise (Guided City Day)

Cover the city’s big-hitters with a guided day. Visit the National Museum’s sweeping galleries, the mud-brick Masmak Fortress, and the aromatic Deera Souq before chasing views from the Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge.

Consider booking: Riyadh Full City Tour for streamlined logistics and local context.

Dinner: Reserve Myazu for charcoal-kissed wagyu and creative maki or try Clap in KAFD for vibrant modern Japanese and a skyline terrace. If you’d rather go classic, Al Orjouan’s buffet at the Ritz-Carlton is a lavish Saudi-and-beyond spread.

Day 3 — Edge of the World Adventure

Trade the city for cliffs and fossils on the Tuwaiq Escarpment. The 300-meter drop-off nicknamed the “Edge of the World” delivers vast desert panoramas and an unforgettable hike. Choose a sunrise or sunset slot depending on the season.

Bookable option: Private Edge of the World Tour – Sunrise or Sunset Option for 4x4 access, snacks, and flexible pacing.

Evening: Back in town, stroll Boulevard Riyadh City for fountains, light shows, and casual bites. Try Takya for Saudi small plates (okra salad with pomegranate, slow-braised lamb) or grab late-night shawarma from a local favorite like Shawarmer.

Day 4 — Modern Riyadh, Markets, and Food Finds

Morning: Coffee crawl: start at Brew92 (Riyadh Park) for V60s and pastries, then browse local design at VIA Riyadh or KAFD’s boutiques. If you prefer museums, add the King Abdulaziz Historical Center’s leafy grounds.

Afternoon: Bargain for oud and saffron at Deera Souq, then cool off atop the Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge if you didn’t make it yesterday. Lunch at Najd Village (family-style) or Shababik for Lebanese grills and mezzes.

Evening: Dinner in the Diplomatic Quarter—choose a courtyard spot for warm breezes. If it’s a Thursday or weekend, book ahead; Riyadhians dine late. Turn in early for tomorrow’s flight.

Day 5 — Fly Riyadh to AlUla, Old Town & Elephant Rock

Morning: Fly Riyadh–AlUla (direct ~1.5–2 hours; ~$120–220). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Check into your desert resort or an Old Town guesthouse.

Afternoon: Wander AlUla Old Town’s mud-brick lanes, peek into craft shops, and pause for iced qahwa (Saudi coffee) and a date tart at Pink Camel Pastry Boutique & Café.

Evening: Time your first sunset at Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil). The monolith glows apricot as the sky turns violet. Dine at Al Nakheel—tables set under palms with kabsa, charcoal-grilled chicken, and fresh tabbouleh.

Day 6 — Hegra, Maraya, and the Oasis (Guided AlUla Day)

Spend a full day with a local expert uncovering Hegra’s monumental tombs, the mirror-clad Maraya hall, and Elephant Rock vantage points, with flexibility to linger where you like.

Consider booking: AlUla Cultural Experience for a private, customizable circuit (Hegra’s internal shuttle applies).

Dinner: Book Tama at Habitas for open-fire cooking, local produce, and a terrace that seems to float over the oasis. Ask for the date-studded salad and whatever the chef is grilling that evening.

Day 7 — Dadan & Jabal Ikmah, Fly Out

Morning: Before you depart, explore Dadan—the Lihyanite capital—and Jabal Ikmah’s “open library” of ancient inscriptions if time allows. Prefer a guided wrap-up? Opt for a private highlights circuit:

Optional: AlUla Private Tour to Jabal AlFil Rock (often customizable to your flight time).

Afternoon: Fly AlUla–Dubai, commonly via Riyadh or Jeddah (total 4–6 hours with connection). Check times and fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If your schedule is tight, head straight to the airport after a relaxed brunch at your hotel.

Where to Eat & Drink (Quick Picks)

• Riyadh Breakfast/Coffee: Camel Step Coffee Roasters (single-origin brews), Urth Caffé (hearty breakfasts, matcha lattes), Le Grenier à Pain (buttery croissants).
• Riyadh Lunch: Najd Village (traditional platters), Shababik (Lebanese mezze), Bujairi Terrace mix for scenic grazing.
• Riyadh Dinner: Suhail (modern Saudi), Myazu or Clap (refined Japanese), Al Orjouan (sumptuous buffet).
• AlUla Coffee/Sweets: Pink Camel Pastry Boutique & Café (date tarts, cold brew), Old Town juice stalls (fresh citrus and mint lemonades).
• AlUla Lunch/Dinner: Al Nakheel (Saudi staples beneath palms), Tama at Habitas (live-fire cooking with a view), Saffron at Banyan Tree AlUla (elegant Thai in a dramatic canyon setting).

Hotel Ideas & Booking

Prefer a villa or private stay? Explore VRBO Riyadh and VRBO AlUla. For hotels, compare neighborhoods and rates on Hotels.com Riyadh and Hotels.com AlUla.

Logistics at a Glance

• Flights: Dubai–Riyadh ~2–2.5 hrs; Riyadh–AlUla ~1.5–2 hrs (some days via JED/MED); AlUla–Dubai typically 4–6 hrs with a connection. Search on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Best season: Oct–Apr for cooler days and crisp, starry nights; reserve tours well ahead in high season.
• Etiquette: Dress modestly; ask before photographing people; expect some businesses to pause around prayer times.

Featured Tours Used in This Itinerary:

• Riyadh Full City Tour
• Private Edge of the World Tour – Sunrise or Sunset Option
• AlUla Cultural Experience
• AlUla Private Tour to Jabal AlFil Rock (optional on Day 7 depending on flight time)

Seven days in Saudi Arabia gives you two complementary worlds: Riyadh’s museums, souqs, and sky bridges, and AlUla’s sculpted tombs, quiet oases, and blazing sunsets. You’ll return with a camera full of desert horizons—and a new appreciation for the Kingdom’s living history and forward momentum.