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Saudi Arabia, 20 Days · Tailor-made by car
Saudi Arabia Grand Tour
Be wowed at this new destination
This route will immerse you in deepest Saudi Arabia, where a host of surprises await you. Driving along its roads, you'll be wowed by a hidden and almost exclusive destination that has recently opened up to tourism. You'll be fascinated by the mix of a historical past with astonishing modernity. And its landscapes of rocks, deserts, oases, and ancient cities will simply amaze you.
Ready to explore this marvel?
Departure date
Departures from December 2024 till November 2025
From
Dublin, Knock, Galway, Donegal, Cork, Kerry county...
Travel details
City of origin - Riyadh
Departure with destination Riyadh. Arrival and rental car pick-up at the Budget offices at the airport. Along with the keys, you'll also be given a road atlas. Rest of the day free. Accommodation.
Riyadh
Breakfast. Today will take you to the mystical Riyadh. Following the road atlas, we recommend visiting the National Museum, the main custodian of Saudi national heritage and culture that offers an overview of the history of Arab civilisation from prehistory to our modern era. Then you can visit the Murabba Palace, which is one of the city's historic buildings. In the afternoon, grab the opportunity to discover other landmarks of Riyadh such as the famous Kingdom Tower, the Faisaliah Hotel, the Masmak Fort (one of the most important monuments in the country that marks the beginning of the modern history of Saudi Arabia), and the Deerah Souq, famous for its carpets and other antiques. Accommodation.
Riyadh - Wadi Ad Dawasir (600 km)
Breakfast. Departure by road to Wadi Ad Dawasir. This stunning area in the heart of Saudi Arabia is blessed with fertile land and water sources which is quickly turning it into an urban hub for the Dawasir Valley, realising its potential as a green oasis. You can also visit the 'Uruq Bani Ma'arid Wildlife Sanctuary, which showcases the diversity of desert life. Accommodation.
Wadi Ad Dawasir - Najran (410 km)
Breakfast. Today you leave the desert to head towards the coast and the Red Sea, ending in Najran. Arrival in the afternoon to explore the
city. Accommodation.
Najran - Jazan (329 km)
Breakfast. In the morning, you can visit the city's main landmarks: the museum; the Akhdood, an archaeological site where there's a stone castle surrounded by a 235-metre-long wall; the Al Aan Palace, one of the most remarkable buildings in Najran, with its main tower soaring five storeys high; the Mud Houses; the Dam; the Emara Palace, a historic building with an area of approx. 620 square metres; and the Daga Souk. Departure to Jazan. Arrival and overnight stay.
Jazan - Abha (206 km)
Breakfast. This morning is for discovering the archaeological sites of Bir Hima, with their famous wells, and Al-Faw. The valleys and mountains are home to hundreds of petroglyphs, battle scenes with cavalrymen and infantry wielding various types of weapons. There are many houses, palaces, and shops in Al-Faw. Afterwards, you can set off for the city of Abha. En route, you'll pass through Khamis Mushayt and the traditional village of Al Hamsan consisting of a stone tower and buildings, including a museum that is a replica of an Asir house from two decades ago; an auditorium; a traditional restaurant; and a gift shop. Accommodation.
Abha
Breakfast. Today you can visit Jabal Sawda, the highest point in Saudi Arabia at 3,000 metres above sea level. You can then see El Sahab Park, from where you'll enjoy beautiful views of the Cloud Corniche. Afterwards, you can stroll through the ancient souks, especially Souq Mahayel and Athu Latha to see how the locals trade. In the afternoon, pop over to Shada Castle, a tower with mud walls that is now a handicraft museum. It's a representation of the beautiful traditional architecture of the Asir region. And it's also one of the few remaining traditional buildings in Abha. Then, you can head to the Al-Muftaha district, which used to be in a state of neglect but was rebuilt based on the inspirations of Asir heritage and culture. It was constructed using traditional methods with local mud and stones. Al-Muftaha, in the centre of the city, dates back 260 years. Another highlight is the Fatema Museum, who was a famous "house painter". Afterwards, you can head up tothe spectacular Jabal Al Akhdar, or "Green Mountain". Accommodation.
Abha - Al Bahah (330 km)
Breakfast. Departure by road to Rijal Almaa, a village steeped in history and tradition famous for its traditional Saudi architecture with its charming and colourful houses. Thanks to its exceptional characteristics, Rijal Almaa is today on the tentative UNESCO World Heritage List. You can visit the village museum, which is home to a vast range of regional heritage. The village consists of about sixty palaces built with natural stone, clay and wood. The village used to be a natural passage linking Yemen, Mecca, Medina and the Levant, so it was a regional trading centre. Departure by road to the mountainous city of Al Bahah to discover its highlands, towering at more than 2,000 metres above sea level. Here you can visit stone houses typical of the mountains of southern Arabia and some incredible viewpoints located on dizzying cliffs of the Al-Sarawat mountain range and the nearby city of Baljurashi. In the afternoon, following the road atlas, you can descend the cliff to reach Dhee Ayn, also known as the Marble Village and considered one of the most iconic spectacles in the country. With an age of around four hundred years, take the opportunity to wander around its ancient streets and marvel at the elegant houses. From here you can also enjoy incredible views of the valley, including the lush oasis at the bottom of the hill with water from a nearby natural spring. Accommodation.
Al Bahah - Al Hada - Taif (220 km)
Breakfast. Departure by road to the city of Taif, located in the Al Hada Mountains in Mecca and on the eastern slopes of Al-Sarawat. Some of the main attractions of the city of Taif are its green nature, its cool summers, and its beautiful landscapes. Grab the opportunity to enjoy the majestic panoramic view of Al Hada. We also recommend visiting the Sharif Museum. Arrival in Taif. Accommodation.
Taif - Jeddah (174 km)
Breakfast. Today you'll discover the city of Taif, famous worldwide for its roses and perfume factories. You can stop at an old beer and rose brewery where artisans will show you how the beer is brewed and propose their range of perfumes and other rose products. Departure to Jeddah, descending right down to sea level. En route, you can enjoy the views from the breathtaking viewpoints atop the Sarawat Mountains. Arrival in Jeddah. Accommodation.
Jeddah
Breakfast. Today, you'll get to explore the ever-vibrant Jeddah, one of the country's most fascinating cities. Following the road atlas, you can visit the Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum, which displays local and Arab heritage. You can then enjoy a wonderful stroll through Al-Balad, the old part of the city, touring the lesser-known corners, such as the hidden galleries, the secret gems of the old market, and local eateries frequented exclusively by locals. You'll also be able to see Beit Nassif, one of the prominent renovated structures of the old city dating back to the mid-nineteenth century. This five-storey building offers the unique opportunity to experience the mix between traditional and modern architecture. We also recommend visiting the Baghdadi House, the former gold market, located on Gabel Street; and the Ukash Mosque. In the afternoon, you can visit the Al Rahmah Mosque and the Floating Mosque, the only domed architectural wonder that literally sits above the sea and symbolises the ancient storm of Jeddah in the modern era. Perched in an enviable location, the mosque's courtyard offers unobstructed views of the Red Sea. We recommend finishing the tour with the Jeddah Corniche, which is the city's 30-kilometre-long coastal area with recreation areas, pavilions and large-scale civic sculptures, as well as King Fahd's Fountain, the highest in the world. Return to hotel. Accommodation.
Jeddah
Breakfast. Second day in the Red Sea capital to continue enjoying the city. Accommodation.
Jeddah - Medina (480 km)
Breakfast. Early morning departure driving through the desert to the spectacular Al Waba Crater, a striking volcanic formation with a salt field at its centre. You'll have to choose between circling part of the crater or descending a steep drop to the basin and then climbing back up (approx. 2.5 hours). Afterwards, departure to the holy city of Medina. In the city centre is the vast Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (Mosque of the Prophet), an important Islamic pilgrimage site with a striking green dome that rises above the tombs of the Prophet Muhammad and the early Islamic leaders Abu Bakr and Umar. The Masjid al-Qiblatain (Qiblatain Mosque) is known as the site where the Prophet Muhammad was ordered to change the direction of prayer to Mecca. With the exception of the holy places of pilgrimage, the road atlas will only cover the outskirts of the city, but end the day with a short walk near Mount Uhud to admire the sunset. Accommodation.
Mdina - Al-Ula (330 km)
Breakfast. This morning you'll set off for the ancient city of Al-Ula, which was an important staging post on the incense trade route to Oman and Egypt. You'll follow the same route as the historic Hijaz railway, stopping at the abandoned train stations of Buwayr and Muduraj to appreciate the mysterious reminder of its turbulent and bloody past during the revolts of Lawrence of Arabia and his allies against the Ottoman Empire. We then recommend visiting the old city of Khaybar, probably the best-preserved ancient oasis in the country. Arrival in Al-Ula late in the afternoon. Accommodation.
Al-Ula
Breakfast. Take advantage of the day to visit two traditional rock carving sites in Al-Ula, an ancient oasis that has been inhabited for the last seven thousand years. Following the road atlas, you'll reach the ancient city of Al-Ula before leaving for Dedan, which developed in the first millennium BC thanks to its strategic location on the incense trade route, governing most of what are now the provinces of Tabuk and Medina. We then recommend visiting the archaeological sites of Ekma and Abu 'Aoud before arriving in Harrat Uwayrid for incredible views. Accommodation.
Al-Ula - Mada'in Saleh - Al-Ula
Breakfast. Today you'll visit the famous city of Mada'in Saleh (or Hegra in Greek), the first place in Saudi Arabia to be recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Also known as the "Petra of the South", Mada'in Saleh is the second richest Nabataean city in terms of monumental tombs, with 94 decorated funerary monuments including some of the most vibrant and best-preserved architectural skills of the Nabataean builders. You can also visit Jebel Al-Fil to enjoy a moment of relaxation next to the "Elephant Rock". Accommodation.
Al-Ula - Jubbah - Ha'il (440 km)
Breakfast. Departure by road to Jubbah, a city located on an ancient lake with several archaeological sites of human settlements dating back to the Middle Paleolithic. Jubbah is surrounded by large sandstone outcrops filled with ancient inscriptions and petroglyphs, including carvings made by locals of aurochs, cheetahs, lions, etc., who lived in this desert area during the last wet period millennia ago. To this day, you can still see these drawings in several sandstone outcrops such as the Jebel Umm Sanman, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll then pass through the Nefud Al Kabir Desert en route to Ha'il. The name of this desert literally means "great expanse of sand dunes" (it's 290 kilometres long and 225 kilometres wide, with an area of 103,600 square kilometres). Arrival in Ha'il, home to poets and writers. Accommodation.
Ha'il - Fayd - Buraydah (280 km)
Breakfast. Today will start with the city of Ha'il, where you can visit the A'Arif Fort and the nearby Heritage Museum. We also recommend strolling through the traditional market and visiting the Ha'il Regional Museum to admire its collections. In the afternoon, set off for Buraydah, Saudi Arabia's most conservative city. En route, you'll pass through the imposing Shammar mountain range, stopping briefly at Fayd, the most important pilgrimage city that thrived during Baghdad's Golden Age, halfway between it and Mecca. Here you can visit a small museum and a restored archaeological site. Arrival in Buraydah. Accommodation.
Buraydah - Ushaiqer - Riyadh (360 km)
Breakfast. Today we recommend starting the day early to enjoy an authentic Saudi experience at the Buraydah camel market, the largest in the world and where thousands of camels, goats and sheep are traded every day. Back in the city, you can stroll through the delicious date market and buy some local delicacies before leaving for Riyadh. En route, you'll pass through the villages of Al Mithnab, Al Ghat and Ushaiqer, the latter being one of the oldest settlements in the region with impressive traditional Najdi architecture. Arrival in Riyadh. Accommodation.
Riyadh - City of origin
Breakfast. Arrival at the airport with enough time to drop off your rental car. Flight with destination the city of origin. Arrival. End of the trip and our services.
Your trip includes
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Return flight.
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Overnight stay in the listed hotels, or similar.
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Assistant at destination throughout the tour.
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Road atlas.
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Local taxes.
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Diet: 19 breakfasts.
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Car rental for 20 days, Toyota Corolla or similar, with mileage limited to 300 km/day and CDW insurance.
Your trip doesn't include
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Petrol costs and tolls.
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Visits and tickets.
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Any other service not previously mentioned as included.
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Insolvency protection.
Destinations Visited
Expected Hotels (or similar)
In this section you will find a selection of hotels according to the category specified in the itinerary.
Category A
Golden Tulip Riyadh
King Faisal District, Exit 10, Al Fudul, Riyadh
Important remarks
- You may be denied entry in Saudi Arabia by the authorities if your passport contains an entry or exit stamp from Israel.
- Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country and the month of Ramadan is of major significance to its residents. During Ramadan, entertainment and alcohol will be restricted in most of the country. The sale of alcohol will be restricted in many places, although some establishments will offer alcohol for sale to tourists. During this period, local businesses may also have shorter opening hours.
- Check-in time at the hotel on the day of arrival depends on each establishment, but in no case will it be before 3:00 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.
- To pick up your rental car, you'll need a valid driver's licence more than one year old, a passport, and a credit (not debit) card in the name of the person who made the booking, who must also be the named driver of the vehicle.
- The minimum age of the driver must be 21.
- The order of the itinerary may be altered for logistical reasons, without prior notice, but no scheduled trips will be cancelled (except in the case that adverse weather conditions prevent its realisation).
- A credit card is considered a guarantee, so sometimes you will need one for check-in at hotels.
- Prices are calculated based on admission fees to the sights as of the date of publication. If there is an increase in these prices, you will be promptly informed.
- If you are a person with reduced mobility, please contact us to confirm the suitability of the trip.
- Consult the necessary documentation to enter the destinations visited and for transit in the countries where air stopovers are made.