Saudi Arabia on a Cultural Journey: Top Historical Cities to Explore

A land where past and modern beauty blend flawlessly. This land provides its tourists with an unforgettable experience. Saudi Arabia has a rich and unique cultural heritage. The country’s old cities have hidden cultural secrets of old civilization. This land is becoming more and more developed while keeping its past history alive.

Saudi Arabia on a Cultural Journey

The cities of Saudi Arabia are a blend of old and new. There is something in each city which provides an image of the vast cultural heritage of the nation. There are crowded markets, skyscrapers, and historic places all together. The urban life of the cities in Saudi Arabia is all about the new and innovative. 

Riyadh and Jeddah are modern cities today, but they do possess history. These cities are business- and religion-focused and attract individuals of all walks of life. There are many Muslims from the USA, especially those seeking Seattle Umrah packages, who like to join their spiritual pilgrimages with staying awhile to explore these living cities, enjoying both their contemporary amenities and deep traditions.

Let’s dive into Saudi Arabia’s rich culture, history, and modern sights. You’ll see why these cities are must-visit spots.

Jubba Palaeolithic Kingdom

North of Hail in north Saudi Arabia is the Jubba Palaeolithic Kingdom. A breathtaking archaeological site and excellent evidence of Saudi Arabian prehistoric riches. As Jubba is a World Heritage site, nobody can argue that it is not culturally appropriate. Dozens of prehistoric murals are on the surface of the dry lake bed, upon which warriors and cattle are painted. They give very interesting insight into early man’s life.

Al Khalaf Archaeological Village

This short detour off the main road in the province of Asir, immediately past Abha, will take your breath away. There are several ‘archaeological villages’ and ‘tourist villages’ scattered throughout Saudi Arabia. But this one is breathtaking. Empty mud brick, old-fashioned design ‘Asir-type’ tower houses with beautifully one-off, precise doors and concealed paintings. It was as if on a ‘pilgrimage’ to all of the doors, so tastefully set among the other mud-colored buildings. Many Muslims from the USA, often visiting through a reputable Umrah travel agency, take time to explore such cultural gems alongside their pilgrimage. This adds a rich historical and local experience to their spiritual journey.

Al Wa’bah Crater (or Al Wahbah)

You weren’t driving towards a stereotypical volcano crater, but an excavation along Riyadh-Taif road. 2.2-kilometre-wide, 250-metre-deep crater slicing through lava flows of Harrat Kishb, western Saudi Arabia. Already suspected to be a meteor crater, now commonly believed by the majority to be a maar crater (an enormous, relatively shallow crater) – more than a million years old.

Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn)

Jebel Fihrayn, a beautiful cliff just one hour from Riyadh, is a site that any nature enthusiast, history enthusiast, and adventure-seeker with a heart for visiting cultural sites will have to see.

Its 300-meter fall to the below-gravel is a sight to behold, especially if viewed during morning hours. A person can also walk over the steps of such age-old peddlers like Nabataeans, who had already passed through this place with their incense caravans and were left in good, fine pieces of work.

Rijal Alma & the Aseer Highlands

Rijal Alma, the stunningly beautiful south-west Saudi Arabian village of Aseer Mountain, is one of the evidences of the country’s heritage and history.

Worthily restored well old structures of ginormous wooden and rocky mansions floating in the air, placed amidst nature, immaculately well maintained by the ancient village. American Muslims in groups wish to walk around Rijal Alma seeking information on the Saudi culture and history of the location, and proceed further to finish their religious pilgrimage.

Tabuk & the Hisma Desert

Tabuk is quite a culturally advanced city, and there are a few places which reflect the success that historic Saudi Arabia has achieved. Saudi Arabia’s north-western coast is blessed to have been privileged with the honour of having been granted the gift of having possessed just the right number of such places as having archaeological sites, as monumentally preserved sites.

Jabal Shada Mystery Village

Al-Baha west-granite domes topped a fairly cliff-village at walking distance along one goat path. The ancient village has ghostly stone huts and lintels gracefully ornamented. They whisper in murmurs of vanished ages. That early human painted caves is only half the riddle, and the trekker can. The presence of men and women who lived in this village, and whether they disappeared.

Conclusion

This land caters to the curious visitor with its sacred ancient pilgrimage routes and imperial Nabataean tombs. Your respect for the country you are exploring is requested. Especially since you will be visiting pilgrimage sites which are reserved only for Muslims. USA Muslims recently showed interest in visiting Saudi Arabia more often. Not only to perform the Holy pilgrimages but to explore the rich culture and treasures. Saudi Arabia provides you with an amazing experience in discovering its limitless and vast lands.