Quad through golden deserts or dive into coral-filled seas: Saudi Arabia emerges as a playground for families in search of new horizons.
Beyond its reputation as a land of history and pilgrimage, the Saudi Kingdom offers a wealth of adventures designed for all ages, all year round.
Whether your family craves heart-racing thrills, cultural immersion or seaside serenity, or all of the above, Saudi’s diverse landscapes are ready to deliver memories worth keeping.
1. Adrenalin-filled desert adventures in AlUla
The stark landscapes of the Saudi desert paint a deceiving picture. Despite their quiet disguise, the rugged dunes, canyons and desert plains across Saudi Arabia are packed full of adventures and eternal mysteries waiting to be discovered.
The ancient oasis of AlUla offers a wide range of desert activities for adventurers, young and old. With the 1,500-square-kilometre Sharaan Reserve as your wild backdrop, and the 200,000-year-old rock formations of Hegra – Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site – as your history teacher, families are sure to find full immersion in the rich outdoor world of AlUla.
Navigate between AlUla’s natural wonders by jeep, cycling or walking tour. Family members seeking added thrills can even don a harness to climb via ferrata routes (ages 6+) or swoop through the canyons at 120 kilometres per hour on the AlUla zipline (ages 12+), the longest in the Kingdom.
2. Safari through sacred lands in Tabuk
The deserts surrounding Tabuk attract adrenaline junkies and amateur archaeologists alike. In the Hisma and Bajda deserts, thrill seekers can race dune buggies, quad bikes and take 4×4 safaris at daring speeds across lands once traversed by ancient prophets such as Shuaib (also known as Jethro) and Musa (Moses).
Tubuk’s arid lands hold much historical and religious intrigue, with first-century Nabatean tombs such as Magha’er Shuaib (the Caves of Jethro) tucked away near the town of Al-Bad. A short quad ride away, on the mountain of Jebel al-Lawz, stands Mount Sinai, a spot debated to be the Split Rock of Horeb – the site of a great miracle told in the Quran, Bible and the Torah.
With young theologians happy, the next safari stop-off at Bajdah Wildlife Reserve will please all animal lovers. Drive stealthily to find Nubian ibex, Arabian oryx, red-necked ostriches, Arabian gazelles and antelopes recently reintroduced into the wild. After a full day of exploration, opt for home comforts in Tabuk or camp under the stars in nearby valleys such as Wadi Disah or Wadi Tayyib Al Ism.
3. Hunt for treasures in Historic Jeddah
A former humble fishing village turned vibrant port city, Jeddah has a long history of welcoming explorers from around the world.
Regarded as the gateway to Saudi Arabia, Jeddah has served as a key destination for Islamic pilgrims on spiritual journeys to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina for centuries.
Jeddah’s Old Town, known as Al Balad, was established in the 7th century. While today, urban life stretches well beyond its historic walls, within the centre, vibrant, coralstone houses and scent-filled souks tell ancient stories.
Families will enjoy roaming the narrow, labyrinthine streets on guided tours and treasure hunts, shopping for spices, incense, jewellery and trinkets at open-air bazaars such as Souq Al Alawi, which dates back to the 1700s.
Elsewhere in Al Balad, a different kind of immersive experience awaits at teamLab Borderless, where families can walk, bounce and climb their way through cosmic light installations, interactive art exhibitions and epic play rooms designed to inspire and educate.
Unwind with a sunset stroll on the palm-tree-laden Jeddah Corniche backed by stunning views of the Red Sea. In the foreground, the promenade features street art and sculptures from the Jeddah Open-Air Museum, with lively activities for children, such as mini-quad biking and pony riding, and upscale restaurants in quieter sections to satisfy the grown-ups.
4. Enter a world of fantasy in Riyadh
Blending 17th-century palaces with thrilling theme parks and futuristic skyscrapers, Saudi Arabia’s capital city of Riyadh has the whole family covered.
One of Riyadh’s top cultural attractions is the 20th-century Murabba Palace, former residence of King Abdul Aziz, the founder of Saudi Arabia. Now a royal museum, the palace transforms at night into a canvas for a captivating high-tech light show, capturing the kingdom’s colourful history in visual projections.
Across from the palace lies one of the top educational attractions in Riyadh. The National Museum invites all the family to trace the culture and history of the Arabian Peninsula and its kingdoms, uncovering royal treasures, pre-Islamic relics and even prehistoric fossils within its halls.
For high-octane family fun, Riyadh’s sensational theme parks brim with both enchanting and heart-pumping experiences for children and adults of all ages. In Six Flags Qiddiya City amusement park, ride the longest, tallest and fastest rollercoaster on Earth, or be one of the first to explore the world’s only Dragon Ball theme park from late 2025.
Gamers in the family won’t want to miss the arcades and VR centre at Boulevard Riyadh City, while budding racers will be excited for the Formula One racetrack at Qiddiya Speed Park, set to open in 2027.
Further unmissable action awaits in Riyadh’s iconic landmark: the 302-metre Kingdom Center Skyscraper. Home to a Four Seasons Hotel and a luxurious shopping mall, the slingshot-shaped building features a Sky Bridge at the very top, fitted with glass panels to allow for breathtaking 360° views over the glittering capital.
5. Snorkel with sea turtles in the Red Sea
Few places can rival Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Resorts when it comes to pleasing the whole family. In addition to the plethora of new luxury accommodations lining its shores, the Red Sea offers limitless snorkelling, diving and watersports, in some of the clearest and most biodiverse waters on the planet.
Plunge headfirst into the Red Sea’s kaleidoscopic underwater world to find coral reefs teeming with parrotfish, clownfish and sea turtles, while deeper waters reward divers with possible glimpses of dolphins and whale sharks.
Families can start with beginner-friendly snorkelling trips from Jeddah or Yanbu, where calm lagoons provide safe conditions for children to float among colourful reefs. Certified divers can venture further offshore to explore shipwrecks or the thriving reefs of Umluj, often nicknamed the “Saudi Maldives” for its sugar-white sands and crystalline waters.
Back on shore, island-hopping boat tours, sandy picnics and sunset cruises offer gentler ways to enjoy the Red Sea’s magic. Whether splashing in shallow bays or diving into coral cathedrals, the coast promises an unforgettable finale to your Saudi family adventure.
Family adventure awaits in every season
Whatever time of year your family sets out, Saudi Arabia brings fresh discoveries.
This winter, the Kingdom has a full calendar of family-friendly festivals and special events spanning sport, arts, culture and more, including AlUla Moments, Diriyah Season and Riyadh Season, as part of its ‘Unreal Calendar’ schedule.
Whether you’re chasing history, fantasy or the freedom of the open sea, the Kingdom’s evergreen mix of ancient wonders and modern marvels means there’s always something new to explore — and something for everyone to love.
Be bold. Visit Saudi today.
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