Hegra
The ancient city of Hegra was once an important stop along the incense route, a famous trading road that linked the Arabian Peninsula to East Africa. Travelers and traders from all over would stop here to trade in the markets or rest for the night before continuing their journeys, leaving behind pieces of history that we’re still discovering today. This is the largest preserved city of the Nabataeans, and it offers us so much to learn about the story of the region.
To explore the 111 marked tombs and buildings carved into the sandstone rocks, you’ll need to book an official tour, as visitor access is limited to guided tours only. Travelers benefit from being led by a local guide with deep knowledge of Hegra and the people who once lived there. Get ready to walk through history.
See MoreAt-Turaif District
The birthplace of the First Saudi State and the Al Saud family, this district is a well-preserved example of traditional Najdi mud-brick architecture from the 15th century. Many buildings feature intricate geometric designs typical of the area. To explore, you can join a guided tour with an experienced guide or download an audio tour and take the district at your own pace. Either way, you’ll learn about At-Turaif District in Diriyah and why it’s earned UNESCO recognition.
See MoreOld Jeddah, Al Balad
Once the gate to Mecca, Historic Jeddah, or Al-Balad, welcomed travelers on their pilgrimage to Islam’s heart. Today, visitors still wander its 1,300-year-old streets, exploring buildings that showcase Saudi architecture across the centuries. Highlights include the Beit Nassif Museum, historic souqs, the Gate to Makkah, and the Shafi’i and Al-Hanafi Mosques. As you explore, look for unique details like screened wood balconies, round ventilation windows, and intricate doors that once signaled the wealth of the homes’ occupants.
See MoreJabal Umm Silman
Ready to step back 10,000 years? Jabal Umm Sinman is a sandstone mountain adorned with Neolithic petroglyphs. Long ago, a freshwater lake at its base made this desert spot a common stop, and early humans left carvings of people and animals on the cliffsides. To explore, you can join a guided tour from Hail, where a local guide shares the full story of this UNESCO-listed site, or self-guide by renting a car or booking a taxi, as Jabal Umm Sinman is about 1.5 hours outside the city.
See MoreJabal Al Manjoor
Jabal al-Manjor is a UNESCO-listed site featuring 10,000-year-old Neolithic petroglyphs. The carvings reveal the plants, animals, and life that once thrived in Hail’s lush valleys. Over time, many cultures lived here, leaving behind records that show what life may have looked like in the Neolithic Era. You can explore Jabal al-Manjor on a self-guided visit, but you’ll need to rent a car or hire a taxi, as the site is fairly remote.
See MoreAl-Faw Archaeological Village
Al-Faw Archaeological Village is a UNESCO-listed site with a history spanning from the 1st millennium BCE to the 5th century CE as a key trading hub. Travelers passing through left behind a rich mix of tools, structures, and carvings from countless cultures. The village was home to three distinct populations, not counting the many visitors! Today, access is limited to help preserve the site, so if you want to explore Al-Faw Archaeological Village, you’ll need to book a scheduled guided tour.
See MoreJabal Ikmah
One of the best places to see historic writing is Jabal Ikmah’s “Open Air Library,” home to the largest collection of well-preserved Dadanitic and Lihyanite inscriptions—not just in Saudi Arabia, but in the whole world. The inscriptions cover everything from relations between kingdoms and ancient rituals to drawings of animals on the rock face. To explore, you’ll need to book an official tour with a guide.
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