Saudi Arabia is a land of oases and empires, incense routes and sky-piercing modernity. In one week you can touch the mudbrick heart of old Riyadh, stand on the “Edge of the World,” and greet sunrise over Hegra’s Nabataean tombs in AlUla. This itinerary threads history and nature with a calm, confident pace—two cities, zero rush.

The Kingdom’s story stretches from Neolithic rock art and caravanserais to the rise of the Saudi state in the 18th–20th centuries. Today, restored UNESCO quarters, contemporary museums, and outdoor shows bring that story alive. Out in the wild, sandstone massifs glow bronze at dusk, and the Milky Way appears startlingly close.

Practical notes: dress modestly; respect prayer times, no alcohol, and photography rules at checkpoints. Rideshare apps are reliable, roads are excellent, and eVisas are available for many nationalities. Expect fragrant Saudi coffee with cardamom, platters of kabsa, and generous hospitality everywhere you go.

Riyadh

Riyadh is the Kingdom’s capital—part living museum, part bold laboratory. One side offers adobe citadels, palm-shaded wadis, and spice-scented souqs; the other, gleaming towers and world-class dining. It’s the perfect launchpad for heritage, museums, and rugged desert scenery.

• Top sights: Masmak Fortress, Souq Al Zal, National Museum and Murabba Palace, Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge, Diriyah’s At-Turaif (UNESCO) and Al Bujairi Terrace.
• Desert adventures: The Tuwaiq Escarpment’s famed “Edge of the World” and the Red Sand Dunes are close enough for dramatic day trips.
• Eat & drink: Feast on slow-cooked jareesh and kabsa at Najd Village; try modern Saudi plates at Maiz in Al Bujairi; finish with a pour-over at Camel Step Coffee Roasters or a signature drink at Elixir Bunn.

Getting to Riyadh: Search international flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Nonstop options land at RUH; rideshare to central areas typically takes 30–45 minutes.

Where to stay (Riyadh): Browse stays on VRBO Riyadh or Hotels.com Riyadh. Favorites: The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh (lavish buffet at Al Orjouan, palatial grounds), Ibis Riyadh Olaya Street (value and central), or Marriott Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter (green trails, calm atmosphere).

Day 1: Arrival in Riyadh, Sky Bridge Sunset, and Saudi Comfort Food

Afternoon: Arrive RUH and transfer to your hotel. Shake off jet lag with a gentle walk in the Diplomatic Quarter parks or along Wadi Hanifah’s shaded paths.

Evening: Ride up to the Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge for a panoramic introduction to the city’s skyline. Dinner on Tahlia Street: try Najd Village for traditional floor seating, lamb kabsa, jareesh, and fragrant dates with Saudi coffee; or book Al Orjouan at The Ritz-Carlton for a vast regional buffet. Nightcap (non-alcoholic) at Camel Step Coffee Roasters where baristas recommend single-origin pour-overs.

Day 2: Old Riyadh, Souqs, and Saudi Coffee (Guided)

Join a historian-led city walk that ties together the early Saudi state, trade, and daily life. Expect hands-on context and a taste of qahwa.

Walking Tour: Al Masmak Fortress, Souq Al Zal, and Saudi coffee

Stroll the adobe ramparts of Masmak Fortress, browse incense, textiles, and antiques in Souq Al Zal, and step into the National Museum and Murabba Palace to trace unification and modernization. End with Saudi coffee and dates. For lunch, your guide can point you to a classic spot for matazeez or areeka nearby.

Evening tip: Head to Diriyah’s Al Bujairi Terrace for dinner—Maiz excels at refined Saudi staples; stroll At-Turaif’s floodlit mudbrick towers right after.

Day 3: The Edge of the World—Cliffs, Camels, and Stargazing

Trade city streets for the Tuwaiq escarpment’s otherworldly cliffs. This guided off-road day hits desert panoramas, camel encounters, and a twilight dinner beneath the stars.

Edge of the World with 4x4 vehicle, camels, Dinner and stargazing

Expect 1.5–2 hours each way by 4x4, fossil-rich cliffs with endless views, and a Bedouin-style meal at dusk. Pack a light jacket; desert evenings can be cool. Back in Riyadh late; grab a quick bite or mint tea near your hotel if you need a snack.

Day 4: Fly to AlUla, Oasis Walk, and Elephant Rock Sunset

Morning: Fly Riyadh → AlUla (approx. 1h50 nonstop on Saudia or flynas; ~$80–$180 one-way). Search and book on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Transfer to your resort (25–35 minutes by taxi/rideshare).

Afternoon: Settle in, then stretch your legs on the Oasis Heritage Trail, palms rustling above irrigation channels. Snack at AlUla Old Town market—fresh dates, sambusas, and qahwa.

Evening: Catch golden hour at Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil) as the sandstone turns copper. Dinner at Tama at Habitas (seasonal, Mediterranean-Middle Eastern plates; reserve) or under-the-stars Saudi dishes at AlNakheel Restaurant in Old Town.

AlUla

AlUla is Saudi Arabia’s open-air museum: an oasis cradled by sculpted sandstone, with spice routes, Dadanite inscriptions, and Nabataean tombs etched across the valley. Days start early with cool desert light and end under constellations.

• Don’t miss: Hegra (Madain Saleh), Dadan and Jabal Ikmah “open library,” Maraya’s mirrored concert hall, Elephant Rock, and the palm-fringed oasis.
• Adventure: Hot air ballooning, stargazing, easy canyon walks, and seasonal ziplines.
• Eat & sip: Book Maraya Social for special evenings, savor Levantine-Saudi flavors at Somewhere AlUla, or dine at Harrat (Banyan Tree) with dramatic mesa views.

Where to stay (AlUla): Compare options on VRBO AlUla and Hotels.com AlUla—from boutique oasis stays to desert resorts near Maraya. Book early in peak season (Oct–Apr).

Day 5: Sunrise Balloon, Slow Oasis Afternoon, Stargazy Dinner

Morning: Wake before dawn for an unforgettable flight over sandstone spires and Hegra’s tombs.

Hegra Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride in AlUla

After landing, celebrate with Saudi coffee and a light breakfast in Old Town—try Somewhere AlUla for airy Levantine classics or saffron desserts.

Afternoon: Rest at your pool or spa. If you’re up for a short outing, wander the shaded date farms or browse handicrafts (woven palm baskets, incense blends, local honey).

Evening: Dine at Harrat (Banyan Tree) for lamb shoulder and charred vegetables with epic mesa views, or book Maraya Social when events are on. Finish with stargazing from your resort terrace—few places on Earth rival AlUla’s night sky.

Day 6: Hegra, Maraya, and AlUla Cultural Storytelling (Guided)

Let a local guide stitch AlUla’s eras together—from the Nabataeans to modern-day creativity—so the carvings and canyons speak.

AlUla Cultural Experience

Highlights include Hegra (Madain Saleh) with its monumental rock-cut tombs, photo stops at the mirror-clad Maraya, and time around Elephant Rock’s surreal curves. For lunch, your guide can arrange a farm-side meal in the oasis or recommend AlUla Old Town’s best grills and mezze.

Evening: Sunset tea among the palms, then a cozy dinner at AlNakheel Restaurant—grilled kebabs, tabbouleh, and warm flatbreads served beneath date fronds.

Day 7: Market Morning and Departure

Morning: If it’s the weekend, browse the AlUla farmers’ market for dates, pomegranates, and spice blends; otherwise revisit the oasis trail for a final, peaceful stroll. Coffee at a local roastery stand—cardamom-forward qahwa pairs perfectly with sticky date cake.

Afternoon: Fly out of AlUla to Riyadh (or Jeddah) for onward connections. Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Aim to be at the airport 2 hours before departure; rideshare from most resorts takes ~30 minutes.

Extra foodie and coffee picks (both cities)

• Riyadh breakfasts: Elixir Bunn (signature drinks and meticulous pour-overs), Camel Step (single-origin V60s, pastries). Light lunches at Najd Village (family-style Saudi) or Maiz (elegant regional dishes in Diriyah).
• AlUla lunches: Somewhere AlUla (fresh mezze, shawarma plates), AlNakheel (open-air grills under palms). For special dinners, book Tama at Habitas or Harrat (Banyan Tree) well ahead in peak months.

Optional swaps: Prefer quad biking and camel rides over the cliffscape? In Riyadh, the Riyadh Red Sand Dunes 4x4 (Camel Ride, Quad biking, Old Palace) makes a thrilling substitute for Day 3, and AlUla’s Stargazing or Moon Night Experience can replace Day 5’s DIY stargazing when available.

Logistics recap:

• Internal flight: Riyadh → AlUla, ~1h50, ~$80–$180 one-way. Morning departure recommended to maximize time on arrival.
• Local transport: Rideshare/taxis are common; most city rides run $5–$20. Desert tours include 4x4 transfers.
• Seasonality: Peak (Oct–Apr) is cooler with more events; prebook flights, tours, and marquee restaurants.

This week in Saudi Arabia layers living heritage with cinematic geology: adobe forts and museum halls, palm oases and ridgelines that fall away into forever. You’ll leave with coffee-scented memories, new friends, and a horizon that feels much bigger than when you arrived.