Saudi Arabia is opening its doors wider than ever, and a week gives you a vivid cross-section: Riyadh’s ambitious modern energy and desert drama, plus Jeddah’s coral-stone heritage and sea breeze evenings. From the birthplace of the Saudi state in Diriyah to the historic merchant houses of Al-Balad, history is never far from your coffee cup.

Fun facts to prime your trip: Jeddah’s King Fahd Fountain shoots seawater higher than many skyscrapers; Arabian hospitality means you’ll be offered cardamom-laced Arabic coffee and dates everywhere; and the Red Sea’s reefs are among the planet’s most resilient. The weekend is Friday–Saturday, so plan museum and dining times around prayer hours.

Practical notes: Many nationalities can get a Saudi eVisa online. Dress modestly (women are not required to wear an abaya, though many choose to; shoulders/knees covered is a good guideline), alcohol is prohibited, and cashless payments are ubiquitous. Prime visiting season is October–April; summers are hot. Rides are easy with Uber/Careem. For flights into/out of and within the Kingdom, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Riyadh

Riyadh is the Kingdom’s capital of ideas: glass-and-steel towers, ambitious art, desert day trips, and a flourishing food scene where centuries-old Najdi recipes meet polished contemporary dining. It’s also where the Saudi story began—nearby Diriyah launched the First Saudi State in the 18th century.

Highlights include the National Museum, Mud-brick At-Turaif in Diriyah (UNESCO), the Sky Bridge at Kingdom Centre, and the “Edge of the World” escarpment. Coffee culture is serious—third-wave roasters sit beside old-school tea houses—and Saudi staples like kabsa, mandi, and jareesh fuel the days.

Stay central (Olaya/KAFD/Kingdom Centre area) for easy access. Browse stays on Hotels.com — Riyadh or apartment-style options on VRBO — Riyadh. RUH Airport to Olaya is ~30–45 minutes by car (roughly 80–120 SAR via Uber/Careem depending on traffic).

Day 1: Arrival and Old Riyadh

Morning: Fly into Riyadh. Compare fares and schedules on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Check in near Kingdom Centre or KAFD for walkable dining and malls.

Afternoon: Start with Masmak Fort, the clay citadel retaken by Ibn Saud in 1902—small but atmospheric, with old rifles, palm-trunk doors, and photos that sketch the city’s transformation. Walk to Souq Al Zal for oud incense, antique daggers, woven rugs, and coffee beans; it’s lively in late afternoon.

Evening: Dinner at Najd Village (Al-Mathar)—a favorite for heritage dishes like jareesh (cracked wheat porridge), goursan (paper-thin bread in stew), madhbi chicken on hot stones, and date pudding; floor seating and lantern-lit alcoves set the mood. For a nightcap, pop into Camel Step Coffee Roasters (clean pour-overs, Saudi-grown date pairings) or Elixir Bunn (signature cold brews). Early night to reset the jet lag.

Day 2: Museums, Modern Riyadh, and Sky Views

Morning: Breakfast at Urth Caffé (lighter Californian–Mediterranean plates; good shakshuka and matcha) or local favorite Foul w Tamees Al Nafoura for bubbling clay-oven bread with ful, tamees, and honey-cream. Visit the National Museum of Saudi Arabia and Murabba Palace—stone tools to contemporary history, plus a graceful courtyard palace of the 1930s.

Afternoon: Explore KAFD (King Abdullah Financial District): sculptural bridges, public art, galleries, and slick cafés. For lunch, try Takya (contemporary Saudi cuisine—saffron-laced saleeg, smoked jareesh arancini) or Maiz (regional Saudi tasting menus). If you’re mall-curious, Panorama Mall or Riyadh Park scratch that itch between espresso stops.

Evening: Time your ascent to the Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge for golden-hour views across the grid. Tickets are typically under 100 SAR; last entry is late evening. Dinner nearby at Clap Riyadh (KAFD; sushi, robata, and an energetic soundtrack) or COYA Riyadh (bright Peruvian; order the sea bass ceviche and anticuchos). Dessert? Kunafa at Hallab 1881—the classic cheese-and-semolina pastry draped in syrup.

Day 3: Diriyah & Wadi Hanifah (UNESCO + Bujairi Terrace)

Morning: Coffee at Overdose (specialty brews, inventive lattes), then head to At-Turaif in Diriyah, the mud-brick capital of the First Saudi State and a UNESCO site. Stroll restored lanes, palm gardens, and small museums that bring 18th–19th century Najd to life. Tickets are timed; go early to beat the heat.

Afternoon: Wander Bujairi Terrace across Wadi Hanifah—arguably Riyadh’s most pleasant urban stroll. For lunch, choose Maiz (elegant Saudi tasting menus) or Somewhere (Levantine comfort food; saffron-orzo, short rib hummus). Sip a Saudi qahwa with dates from a local kiosk and people-watch along the palm-lined promenade.

Evening: Stay for sunset over the wadi, then dine at Villa Mamas (Bahraini farm-to-table; roasted eggplant with tahini, slow-cooked lamb) in Bujairi. If you’re still energized, night-walk at Wadi Hanifah’s lakeside paths; families picnic and kids ride scooters under date palms.

Day 4: Edge of the World Desert Adventure

Morning: Early start for the famed Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn), ~1.5–2 hours from central Riyadh. Go with a reputable 4x4 tour (typical 300–500 SAR per person including snacks); carry 2L water per person, hat, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes. The escarpment drops shear from a fossil-studded plateau—bring a wide-angle lens.

Afternoon: Picnic among the cliffs and watch camels dot the valley below. On the return, quick stop for late lunch at Al Romansiah back in the city—order chicken kabsa or smoky lamb mandi served on a platter of spiced rice with raisins and nuts.

Evening: Treat yourself to the buffet at Al Orjouan (The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh)—known locally for lavish Friday brunches and seafood nights; otherwise, a relaxed spa evening and early pack for tomorrow’s flight.

Getting to the next city: Fly Riyadh (RUH) to Jeddah (JED) in the morning—about 1 h 40 m, with fares often 60–130 USD. Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Assume a morning departure so you can explore Jeddah by afternoon.

Jeddah

Jeddah is the Red Sea gateway—trade winds, coral-stone mansions, and a cosmopolitan spirit shaped by pilgrims and merchants for centuries. Its UNESCO-listed Al-Balad district feels like a living museum, while the new Waterfront stretches for miles with bike paths, art, and sunset viewpoints.

Expect heritage houses like Bayt Nassif, art-filled promenades, seafood feasts, and a cafe scene led by local roasters. By night, the world’s tallest seawater fountain arcs above the Corniche, and families gather for shawarma, gelato, and mint tea.

Base yourself near the Waterfront or Al Rawdah for easy access. Search stays on Hotels.com — Jeddah or find apartments on VRBO — Jeddah. JED Airport to the Corniche is ~25–35 minutes by car (around 60–90 SAR by Uber/Careem).

Day 5: Fly to Jeddah, UNESCO Al-Balad & the Fountain

Morning: Fly RUH → JED. Drop bags and grab coffee at Brew92 (Al Rawdah)—house roasts and excellent flat whites—or Medd Cafe & Roastery near the Waterfront (try the cold brew on tap and cardamom-infused sweets).

Afternoon: Head to Al-Balad, Jeddah’s UNESCO-listed Old Town. Wander lanes lined with coral-stone houses and delicate rawasheen (wooden lattice windows). Visit Bayt Nassif (Naseef House) for sweeping rooftop views and historical exhibits, and peek at restored mosques like Al-Shafi’i (non-Muslims may not enter prayer halls, but exteriors are photogenic). Snack on fresh tamees bread and sesame-sprinkled mutabbag from a street-side griddle.

Evening: Quick, iconic bite at Al Baik (Saudi’s beloved broasted chicken; order spicy strips with garlic sauce). For a sit-down seafood dinner, choose Twina (grilled hamour, sayadiyah rice, and green chili sauce). Walk the Corniche to watch the King Fahd Fountain blaze into the night sky.

Day 6: Waterfront Day, Obhur Inlet, and Modern Dining

Morning: Breakfast Hejazi-style at Abu Zaid (ful, tamees, saleeg rice with chicken) or go sweet at Jeddah’s Bafarat (modern patisserie; pistachio soft-serve and eclairs). Stroll or bike the Jeddah Waterfront—public art, playgrounds, and shaded paths with constant sea views.

Afternoon: Make for Obhur (North Jeddah) for a boat ride, snorkeling, or a relaxed marina lunch. Local operators run half-day trips to nearshore reefs; ask your hotel concierge to book reputable crews with life vests and shade. If you prefer land, explore the Jeddah Yacht Club & Marina promenade’s cafes and boutiques.

Evening: Dinner at TOKI (elegant pan-Asian; wagyu gyoza, miso cod) or Shababik (Lebanese; grills, fattoush, and baked chicken with sumac). Finish with gelato and a late walk along the Waterfront’s lit palm avenues.

Day 7: Tayebat Museum, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Coffee at Cup & Couch or a second round at Brew92, then dive into the Tayebat Museum, a sprawling complex with dioramas, costumes, and old city models that trace the Hejaz’s layered history.

Afternoon: Lunch on classic Hejazi saleeg (creamy rice cooked in broth) at Saleeg by Abu Zaid or seafood sayadiyah at Al Qalzam. Last-minute shopping at Red Sea Mall or back in Al-Balad’s Souq Al Alawi for spices, incense, and dates. Transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight; check fares and schedules on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If you have a late departure, linger over tea and dates at a Corniche cafe and watch the Red Sea turn copper at sunset—one last mental postcard before wheels up.

Extra tips: Fridays see slower mornings and busier evenings; attractions may adjust hours around prayer. Keep a scarf/light layer for air-con. For intercity travel, domestic flights are fastest; the Haramain high-speed rail connects Jeddah with Makkah and Madinah but not Riyadh (handy if you extend your trip).

Where to book: Browse stays in Riyadh hotels, Riyadh apartments, Jeddah hotels, and Jeddah apartments. For flights into Saudi Arabia and the RUH ↔ JED hop, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

This 7-day Saudi Arabia itinerary blends the capital’s heritage and big-city sparkle with Jeddah’s seafaring soul. You’ll leave with sand on your boots, sea salt on your lips, and a new appreciation for Saudi hospitality, history, and flavor.