“I consider Abha to be the best tourist spot for women,” says a law student from Saudi’s Eastern Province. “The Abha people have the greatest sense of hospitality.” At an altitude of more than 7,000 feet and located between the peaks of the Sarawat Mountains, Abha, the capital city of Aseer, in the southwestern region of Saudi, offers exceptional sites (think: atmospheric fog), castles and palaces and traditional art. Hundreds of years ago, women extracted the bright colors from trees and stones to embellish their houses with a type of abstract art known as traditional Qatt Al Aseeri. So, be sure to bring home souvenirs engraved in this style. Also not to be missed: The Flower Men of Aseer, who have incorporated floral wreaths into their daily dress for centuries.

“I did a girls’ trip to Jeddah — we all flew in from Riyadh and had a great time,” says an intercultural studies specialist from India who lives in Riyadh. “We loved getting lost in the alleys of Al Balad.” The historic center of Jeddah, Al Balad was founded in the early seventh century and served as Jeddah’s commercial center, and its primary gateway to Makkah. Today, it is a UNESCO heritage site, and is famous for its museums and traditional buildings, which were constructed with coral stone and decorated with intricate latticed windows called “rawasheen.” When you’re done exploring Al Balad’s ancient homes and bustling souqs, follow your nose to the Saidi Bakery for a tasty piece of bread straight from the brick oven. Or, head to the city center, just 20 minutes away, for some of the country’s best and most modern shopping (at the Mall of Arabia or the Red Sea Mall) and restaurants and cafés. 

“It’s a great place to go. After all, it is the capital, and they take the tourist experience seriously,” says another Saudi university student. There is, indeed, something for everyone in Riyadh. Largely known as Saudi’s center of culture, Riyadh is a historically rich city that allows tourists to time travel from the past to the future all in one day. While the city offers towering skyscapes and a 99-story-high sky bridge, you’ll also find the 150-year-old Al Masmak Fortress, a vast clay and mud-brick citadel. Riyadh also offers standout shopping and dining. The city’s most famous market is the Souq Al Zal, which remains as noisy and vibrant as when it first emerged in 1901. For more modern shopping venues, consider visiting the Riyadh Park Mall, with an IMAX cinema and arcade under its glass roof. And if you need more energy for sightseeing, just swing by one of Riyadh’s trendy cafés to refuel.

“AlUla, in Al Madinah region, is a great place to travel,” says a content specialist who lives in Riyadh. Once a major trade hub along the ancient Incense Route connecting the Arabian Peninsula with the Mediterranean countries, the 13,000-square-mile territory is a lasting reminder of Saudi’s pre-Islamic history: The Nabataean civilization — which also built the remarkable city of Petra in Jordan — left behind 111 immaculately preserved tombs carved into the sandstone rocks at UNESCO heritage site, Hegra. Owing to its vastness, AlUla gives you the feeling of being the only tourists in the area. Perhaps that’s why it’s an ideal location for wellness and adventure travel, including stargazing, hiking, and even ziplining. Those seeking more sedentary, but equally stimulating, activities in AlUla should visit Maraya Concert Hall. A tribute to AlUla’s growing cultural scene, the gorgeous mirrored building hosts concerts, films and thrilling performances — consider it an oasis in the desert.