During a recent interview with CNN, Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan bin Salman announced that the Kingdom would begin issuing tourist visas in 2018, among other reasons to reduce the dependence of the Saudi economy on oil. Although Saudi authorities had previously spoken about possibilities for non-Muslim tourism in country (namely, a "special tourist zone" on the Red Sea), this announcement reflected an opening of the country at large to foreign travelers.
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Now that tourist travel is allowed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia it's time to start planning your trip. Below, you'll find a list of Saudi Arabia's most amazing tourist attractions.
The birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, Mecca has long been a popular destination for Muslim tourists. In fact, every Muslim who has the financial means to do so is required to make a pilgrimage to Mecca (known as the "Hajj") once in his or her lifetime, according to the Quran.
Kingdom Center is such an iconic symbol of Saudi Arabia's capital that an emoji version of it shows up when you say you're "Traveling to" Riyadh on Facebook. A shopping mall and residential complex that's also home to an observatory (which is not surprising, since it rises 992 feet above the ground), Kingdom Center is actually only the third-tallest building in Saudi Arabia, despite its fame.
Certainly, it will be a great place to begin any Riyadh city trip once Saudi Arabia opens up to tourists, offering visitors both figurative and literal perspective on the bustling national capital of 5.2 million people, which is also home to the Kingdom's main airport. It's easy to see the observation deck becoming Saudi Arabia's most popular selfie spot!
Although the vast majority of the aptly-named "Empty Quarter" technically belongs to Saudi Arabia, there are no borders here—it's just sand, after all, with nothing different about it between Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. On the other hand, the Empty Quarter (which is known in Arabic as Rub' al Khali) is far from boring, whether you come on a camel safari, to drive 4x4s through the dunes or to visit with the nomadic tribes who call this seemingly inhospitable place home.