From the Edge of the World to Elephant Rock, here’s the places to grab the best pics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Where to grab the best pictures in Saudi Arabia
5. The Edge of the World, Riyadh
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The Edge of the World, or Jebel Fihrayn as it is also known, is located about a 90-minute drive from Riyadh. It forms part of the vast Tuwaiq cliffs, which stretch over more than 600km through central Saudi, and once overlooked an ancient trade route used to cross the Arabian Peninsula from Yemen into the Levant and Persia.
Reached through winding desert trails that run along a ridge of Tuwaiq, this spectacular spot offers uninterrupted views across from the valley floor up to the horizon. These starkly dramatic views earned the site its nickname and have helped turn it into one of Riyadh’s most popular tourist destinations.
4. Soudah Mountains, Asir Region
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Rising some 3000m above Sarawat Valley, Saudi’s tallest mountain is everything you don’t expect in Saudi Arabia. Covered in juniper forests and famous for misty, cold weather, the views from here are some of the most spectacular in Asir.
This video, captured from @wp_turystayka, is taken from the top of the mountain at sunset just about the clouds.
3. Al Wahbah Crater
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Measuring 4km wide and 250-meters deep, the sprawling Al Wahba crater is one of Saudi Arabia’s most dramatic natural wonders: a vast hollow with an opaque lake at its heart.
For true adventures looking to get one of the rarest shots in Saudi, look no further than Al Wahbah Crater. Carved into the western edge of the Hafer Kishb basalt plateau, the crater is about a two-hour drive north of Taif, or about a four-hour drive from Jeddah. To climb to the top takes about two hours, but those willing to make the trek will be rewarded with one of Saudi Arabia’s most dramatic views: a vast hollow with an opaque lake at its heart. The lunarlike landscape offers a near-otherworldly experience for those who come to climb it – complete with glorious views over the desert from the crater’s rim.
2. Al Balad, Jeddah
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Have you ever heard of coral architecture? Jeddah’s Al Balad is famous for its intricately designed houses, built using coral from the depths of the Red Sea and boasting colorful rawasheen balconies, known as mashrabiyyahs. It’s unique architecture, which is still preserved today, is not seen anywhere else in the world and serves as a reminder of what the medieval city’s ancient walls once looked like.
Al Balad, otherwise known as Historical Old Jeddah, downtown Jeddah and the Gate to Makkah, is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Its existence may date back to the era before Islam with some of the buildings estimated to be 400 years old.
1. Elephant Rock, Alula
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AlUla in northwest Arabia is one of the oldest cities in the Arabian Peninsula and home to Hegra, Saudi’s first UNESCO World Heritage site. This ancient city, once at the crossroads of The Silk Road and The Incense Route, is a quick 1- to 2- hour flight from Riyadh, Jeddah or Makkah.
AlUla’s famous natural wonder is Jabal AlFil, also known as Elephant Rock. Sculpted by natural wind, water, and sand erosion, this monumental sandstone structure resembles an elephant whose trunk extends to the ground.
Elephant Rock’s most recent claim to fame was a feature on Complex’s IG TV series, which garnered nearly 3 million views, including engagement from celebrities like Lebron James.
What are you waiting for? Head to Saudi Arabia!
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