While Saudi Arabia is a desert nation known to have one of the hottest climates on Earth, it is more varied in environment and temperature than most people think. The Kingdom’s diverse regions are home to mountains, lush vegetation, beaches, and charming seasides – natural surroundings that many who haven’t yet explored the country would find hard to believe. With an ever-increasing range of luxury hotels, resorts, cultural sites, and leisure attractions, this Gulf nation has plenty of places to visit during the hot summer season.
1. Half Moon Bay in Dammam
Still largely undiscovered, this scenic beach in Dammam – a major city on the eastern side of the Kingdom – boasts white sandy beaches and gorgeous views of the Arabian Gulf’s glimmering turquoise waters. An ideal destination for international and domestic tourists, especially families, Half Moon Bay has a variety of hotels and resorts, as well as amusement parks and even an artificial reef where divers can discover the underwater marine life in the Arabian Gulf.
2. Taif
Long known as the City of Roses, Taif is one of the most frequently visited cities in the Kingdom during the summer season due to its cooler temperatures. In a mountainous region situated south-east of Makkah (Mecca), the city goes into full bloom during March and April. The roses are harvested to produce rose oil, perfume, tea and other products that are exported around the world.
While the region lures travellers with its roses, which can be seen at various farms, it is also an ideal spot for a summer getaway, whether for solo travellers, families, or groups of friends. Featured events and sites to visit during the summer include the historic Souq Okaz Festival, which dates back to 501 CE and now highlights traditional and modern Arab culture, and natural and historic sites like Al Hada Mountain, which has a long cable car, various trails to explore, and rose fields.
3. Aseer
Abha, the Aseer region’s capital in the southwestern part of the Kingdom, is one the coolest (in every way) cities to visit in Saudi Arabia during the summer. It is known for its moderate climate throughout the year, verdant hills, and spectacular mountain tops. Aseer, which means “difficult” in Arabic, certainly lives up to its name and, due to its breathtaking mountain peaks and hills, would have been a challenging destination for invaders and travellers before modern times.
A historically prosperous agricultural part of the Kingdom, it was once under the protection of the Abbasid caliphs of Baghdad and the control of the Zaydi rulers of Yemen. During the 18th century, it broke away from foreign control until it was occupied again in 1872 by the Ottomans. The variety of people and cultures that once occupied the area make it a richly diverse region.
During the summer, many Saudis escape the heat of their home cities to enjoy the cooler temperatures of the Aseer region. Saudis and foreigners also make the journey to see the spectacular views from the Aseer National Park, home to one of the highest peaks in the Kingdom, Al Soudah Mountain, and Jabal Thera. What’s more, Habala is the most famous of the “hanging villages,” which have ruins on mountain tops that date back several centuries.
4. Jeddah’s coastline
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second-largest city and the largest in the western Hejaz region, is located along the mountainous Red Sea coast. While Jeddah itself is steeped in history and boasts a variety of attractions, many visitors to the area are not yet familiar with the city’s numerous and expanding beach resorts and reefs that are perfect spots for diving.
For those wishing to spend time relaxing by the water, some of the most popular places include the Jeddah Waterfront or Corniche and the nearby diving sites of Sharm Obhur and Abu Tair, where divers can explore the 1978 Staphonos, also known as the Cable Wreck. A popular hotel worth checking out is The Jeddah EDITION, which opened in 2024 and is nestled along Saudi’s picturesque Red Sea coast.
5. The Red Sea
Situated 500km north of Jeddah between Al Wajh and Umluj, The Red Sea, dubbed among the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, now has several hotels welcoming visitors. Six Senses Southern Dunes, The St. Regis Red Sea Resort, and Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve were the first out of 50 luxury resorts to open in the expansive eco-tourism project. For those wishing to embark on a holistic escape over the summer months, Six Senses has tailored wellness packages to retreat, relax, and rejuvenate.
6. Rijal Almaa
Located in the southwestern region of Aseer, Rijal Almaa, a charming heritage village with a name that means “brightest men” in Arabic, boasts around 60 palaces built from natural stone, wood, and clay. They have several floors and are decorated with colourful geometric patterns made with natural pigments.
A hidden gem steeped in history, culture, and breathtaking natural surroundings, the village, a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site, once served as a vital trading point between Makkah (Mecca), Yemen, and the Levant via the Red Sea. A wonderful highlight visitors can discover is how men and young boys often don charming headdresses made from flowers.
A tradition with the Qahtani tribe from Habala, a remote mountainous town near the Saudi-Yemen border, those who wear the headdress are frequently known as Saudi Arabia’s “Flower men.” The tribe believes in the garlands’ beauty and health properties. Saudi’s Ministry of Culture stages the annual Flowerman Festival, which sheds light on the village’s attractiveness, rich culture, and traditions.
7. Umluj
Umluj, a series of white sand beaches, which are part of 104 small islands off the coast of Tabuk, is the ideal destination for beach lovers. The islands are a pristine haven that offer an immersive escape into nature, perfect for watching breathtaking sunsets while surrounded by the sea. Visitors can stay at one of The Red Sea’s newest resorts while they explore the town, dreamy seaside, and natural surroundings.
8. The Farasan Islands
The Farasan Islands are another paradise for those wishing to escape the hot summer months or explore the Kingdom while enjoying temperate weather. This alluring archipelago is home to “rare coral reefs,” crystal clear, glimmering waters, beautiful, pristine white sandy beaches, and lush green surroundings. Located around 40km off the coast of Jizan in the Red Sea, the area has remained untouched for centuries.
While it’s a wonderful place for nature enthusiasts to explore, it also offers a few gems for culture buffs. Traces of ancient civilisations, in the form of old ruins and archaeological remnants dating back to the Roman era, can be found on several islands.
An idyllic rustic place for snorkeling, diving, and all-around exploring, the Farasan Islands offer another off-the-beaten-track summer destination that acquaints visitors, domestic and foreign, with another part of the Kingdom’s rich natural landscape, heritage, and culture.
