Saudi Arabia is a crossroads of history and modern ambition—a place where incense routes and camel caravans live in the shadow of glass towers. In seven days you’ll move from the soaring Tuwaiq escarpment outside Riyadh to the coral-stone alleys of Jeddah’s Al-Balad, with time for rich Saudi cuisine, specialty coffee, and sunset strolls along the Red Sea.

Riyadh anchors the nation’s story, from the mud-brick palaces of the first Saudi state in Diriyah to cutting-edge galleries and design-forward cafes. Jeddah, long the gateway for pilgrims to Makkah, blends Hejazi heritage with a cosmopolitan seaside vibe—think historical houses with intricate roshan balconies and a waterfront lined with public art.

Practical notes: most visitors can apply for the Saudi eVisa; dress modestly, especially at religious sites. Friday is the main prayer day, so midday hours can shift. Rideshare is widespread, and domestic flights are frequent and affordable—perfect for linking Riyadh and Jeddah in one streamlined week.

Riyadh

Welcome to the capital: a city of contrasts where date palms shade ancient adobe walls and Neom-esque skylines glitter after dark. Don’t miss At-Turaif in Diriyah (UNESCO), the National Museum, and the Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge. Save a day for the “Edge of the World,” an epic sandstone cliff line that drops to a fossil-rich plain.

Food in Riyadh runs from traditional Najdi platters to new-wave Saudi cuisine. Seek out smoky kapsa and jareesh, then pivot to modern spots that reinterpret family recipes. Coffee culture is serious—single-origin pours, meticulous roasting, and sleek cafes ideal for a late-morning pause.

• Where to stay (Riyadh): Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.
• Editor’s picks: The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh (resort-scale elegance, standout buffet at Al Orjouan), Ibis Riyadh Olaya Street (central, great value), Marriott Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter (green setting and spa).
• Getting to Riyadh: Book international flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From RUH airport to central hotels takes ~30–45 minutes by car; expect roughly $15–25 by rideshare depending on time of day.

Day 1: Arrival and Riyadh First Tastes

Afternoon: Land in Riyadh and settle into your hotel. Shake off the flight with a specialty pour-over at Camel Step Coffee Roasters (bright, fruity roasts) or Elixir Bunn (sleek design and meticulous brews).

Evening: Dinner at Najd Village for a primer in Najdi cuisine. Sit on floor cushions and share kapsa (fragrant rice with lamb or chicken), matazeez (hand-torn pasta with spiced broth), and date desserts—an atmospheric, first-night feast.

Night: Ride up to the Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge for wide-open city views. Cap the night with kunafa or saffron milk cake at one of Tahlia Street’s dessert cafes.

Day 2: Museums, Old Riyadh, and Modern Eats

Morning: Breakfast at baker-led Fournil de Pierre (buttery viennoiserie) or local favorite Mama Noura for fresh juice and egg sandwiches. Explore the Saudi National Museum—exhibits trace Arabian geology, archaeology, and the unification of the Kingdom. Walk the King Abdulaziz Historical Center gardens to Murabba Palace next door.

Afternoon: Lunch at Mama Noura for shawarma with garlicky toum and pickles. Continue to Deira’s Souq Al Zal to browse oud, carpets, and antiques; keep an ear out for the afternoon auction. Coffee stop at Brew Crew for a creamy Spanish latte.

Evening: Head to Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah for dinner with a view of the illuminated At-Turaif walls. Try Suhail (refined Saudi dishes like slow-cooked hanith) or Takya (modern Saudi tasting plates). If energy remains, stroll Wadi Hanifah’s palm-lined paths.

Optional guided day instead: Join the Riyadh Full City Tour to cover highlights with a local expert.

Day 3: Edge of the World Adventure

Set out for the dramatic Tuwaiq cliffs on the Edge of the World with 4x4 vehicle, camels, Dinner and stargazing. Expect off-road travel across fossil-studded desert, a guided hike to panoramas that drop into infinity, and a Bedouin-style meal under the stars. Typical duration is 6–8 hours door-to-door; plan casual clothing, sun protection, and sturdy shoes.

Day 4: Diriyah UNESCO and Riyadh by Night

Morning: Light breakfast at % Arabica (signature Spanish latte) or Overdose (playful specialty drinks). Tour At-Turaif in Diriyah, the adobe birthplace of the first Saudi state—walk alleys, palaces, and restored majlis with excellent interpretive displays. Timed entry is common; arrive early.

Afternoon: Lunch at Maiz Riyadh for grilled lamb chops with saffron rice or Section-B for smash burgers beloved by locals. Siesta at your hotel or browse The Boulevard’s boutiques.

Evening: Feast at Al Orjouan (Ritz-Carlton) if you’re craving an abundant, well-curated buffet, or book Bujairi Terrace again to try another standout. Finish with tea and dates along the landscaped paths of Diplomatic Quarter parks.

Jeddah

On the Red Sea, Jeddah has welcomed traders and pilgrims for centuries. Its UNESCO-listed Al-Balad district showcases coral-block architecture with carved wooden roshan, while the Jeddah Waterfront layers parks, cycle tracks, and big, photogenic public art.

Food here leans Hejazi: spiced rice dishes, seafood straight from the sea, and historic bakeries turning out sesame breads. Balance heritage exploring with sea breezes—sunsets over the corniche are the city’s calling card.

• Where to stay (Jeddah): Explore options on VRBO or compare on Hotels.com.
• Editor’s picks: Waldorf Astoria Jeddah - Qasr Al Sharq (palatial suites overlooking the sea), Holiday Inn Jeddah Gateway (near the airport and malls), Mövenpick Hotel Tahlia Jeddah (central, contemporary).
• Riyadh → Jeddah travel: Morning flight RUH→JED takes ~1h40; fares often run ~$50–150 one-way. Compare times and prices on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From JED airport to the Corniche area is ~25–35 minutes by car; budget ~$12–20.

Day 5: Fly to Jeddah, Al-Balad at Golden Hour

Morning: Early flight to Jeddah. Drop bags and refuel at Medd Café & Roastery (single-origin espresso) or Brew92 (house roasts, pastries).

Afternoon: Lunch at Al Baik for the cult-classic fried chicken with garlic dip, or Twina Seafood to pick your fish and choose the spice rub (ask for the “Twina mix”). Wander Al-Balad’s lanes: peek into restored houses like Naseef House, browse incense and textiles on Souq Al Alawi, and photograph those honeycomb roshan balconies.

Evening: Sunset along the Jeddah Waterfront; watch the King Fahd Fountain arc into the sky. Dinner at Takya Jeddah (modern Saudi—don’t miss the jareesh arancini) or Byblos for Lebanese grills with sea views.

Day 6: Jeddah in Depth with a Guide

Let a local lead the way on the Full Day Guided Jeddah City Tour. Typical stops include the Corniche art trail, Al-Balad heritage homes, traditional markets, and modern landmarks, with cultural context and photo tips woven throughout. It’s a compact, story-rich way to see Jeddah’s past and present in one day.

Day 7: Red Sea Morning and Departure

Morning: Breakfast at Faris Breakfast (foul medames, shakshuka, and fluffy pancakes) or Urth Caffé for light California-meets-Middle-East plates. Then head north to Obhur Creek: relax at a day-access beach club, arrange a short boat ride, or simply enjoy a seafront coffee while yachts drift by.

Afternoon (departure): Last-minute shopping at Red Sea Mall or a quick seafood lunch—say, sayadiyah (spiced rice with fish). Transfer to JED for your outgoing flight; compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Extra experiences if you have more time

• Riyadh desert adrenaline: quad biking and dune bashing on the Riyadh Desert Safari Dune Bashing, ATV, camel ride, and Sandboard.

  

• Ushayger Heritage Village day trip from Riyadh for mud-brick lanes and oasis life: Ushayger Heritage Trail Full Day Cultural Journey.

  

In a single week you’ve sampled Saudi Arabia’s sweep—Riyadh’s heritage corridors and desert horizons, Jeddah’s living history and salt-breezed corniche. Expect to leave with a taste for Saudi coffee, a camera roll full of roshan and red-gold cliffs, and a wish to return for more.