Saudi Arabia History and Culture

The Arabian Peninsula was once green, and rock art at Jubbah and Hima records hunters, camels and inscriptions over thousands of years. Mysterious stone structures called mustatils, among the oldest monuments known, dot the northwest. Ancient kingdoms such as Dadan and Lihyan grew rich on the incense route that carried frankincense and myrrh north to the Mediterranean.

The Nabataeans carved more than a hundred monumental tombs at Hegra (Mada'in Salih) near AlUla, the kingdom's first World Heritage Site. In the 7th century, the Prophet Muhammad received the revelation of Islam in Makkah, and Madinah became the first Islamic city. Since then, the Two Holy Mosques have drawn pilgrims from every corner of the globe. Learn more about the incense route and the great mosques.

In 1727 the First Saudi State was founded at Diriyah, whose At-Turaif district is now restored. King Abdulaziz Al Saud unified the kingdom, proclaimed in 1932, and oil was discovered at Dammam in 1938. Today Saudi Vision 2030 is transforming the country with giga-projects, culture and tourism. Read about the royal family of Saudi Arabia and Vision 2030. Two newer World Heritage Sites widen the story: the red dunes of 'Uruq Bani Ma'arid in the Empty Quarter (2023) and the caravan city of Al-Faw (2024).

Architecture changes with the landscape: Najdi mud-brick with triangular openings in Riyadh and Diriyah; the coral-stone houses and carved wooden rawasheen balconies of Historic Jeddah (Al-Balad); and the stone tower homes of the south. Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, the bright geometric wall painting created by women in Asir, is recognized by UNESCO.

Contemporary art is flourishing, from the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale and the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah to Desert X AlUla, where installations rise among the sandstone outcrops. Sadu weaving, calligraphy and the art of incense burning remain cherished. See Arabic calligraphy and Bedouin heritage.

Saudi Arabia is home to the Empty Quarter, the largest continuous sand desert on earth. The kingdom has more than a thousand islands in the Red Sea. AlUla's Maraya is the world's largest mirrored building. Plan your trip with our Saudi Arabia luxury travel guide, explore AlUla and Hegra stay in Diriyah and walk the old lanes of Jeddah's Al-Balad.