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Cities in Saudi Arabia

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A Saudi Arabian flag pinned onto a map of Saudi Arabia

How many cities are there in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East. It has many cities nationwide, with 5 being considered major cities. To find out about the cheapest cities to visit in the Middle East, visit our blog.

These are:

  1. Riyadh
  2. Jeddah
  3. The Holy City of Makkah
  4. The Holy City of Madinah
  5. Dammam
A road lined with palm trees with skyscrapers in the background in Riyadh

Riyadh

Riyadh is Saudi Arabia's vibrant capital. With a plethora of things to do, it's a must-see. As the largest city in the country, Riyadh sprawls over approximately 600 square miles and has a population exceeding eight million.


Riyadh is one of the wealthiest cities in the Middle East and the world, ranking in the top 80 globally. It's rapidly growing as a popular tourist destination, with visitors flocking from all over the world, due to its dynamic culture, captivating attractions, and world-class facilities.


People aren't just staying for their holidays. Saudi Arabia's population is growing each year. Thanks to the city's excellent working conditions, high salaries, and low cost of living, the capital city's residents continue to rise.


By plane, it takes around 6 hours and 30 minutes to travel from London to Riyadh, and it takes about 12 hours and 10 minutes to travel from New York to Riyadh.

Top things to do in Riyadh:

Beach in Jeddah

Jeddah

Jeddah, positioned along the Red Sea coast, is the urban hub of western Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in Makkah Province, boasting the premier seaport on the Red Sea and ranking as Saudi Arabia's second-largest city, with a population surpassing five million.


Jeddah is a pilgrimage gateway to key Islamic religious destinations like Mecca and Madinah. Similar to numerous other major cities worldwide, Jeddah features safe tourist and business neighbourhoods. Visitors who opt for the primary tourism spots in Jeddah can confidently enjoy a safe and pleasant holiday experience in Saudi Arabia.


Jeddah's airport is called King Abdulaziz International Airport, but it's also known as Jeddah International Airport. It is the third-largest and busiest airport in Saudi Arabia.


Top things to do in Jeddah:

Kaaba, Mecca, the centre of worship for Muslims

The Holy City of Makkah 

Mecca is located approximately 73 kilometres east of Jeddah. It's nestled within the Sirat Mountains, elevated above sea level. Given its status as a sacred site, access to Mecca is limited to Muslims exclusively. Millions of Muslims visit Mecca annually in Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar, for the Hajj pilgrimage.


The population is around 2.4 million, making it the third-most populated city in Saudi Arabia. In 2023, Mecca was ranked the 10th most visited city in the world due to its holy status.


Mecca doesn't have its own airport, primarily to preserve its sanctity and prevent security issues. Instead, international flights are directed to the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, which is approximately 70 kilometres away from Mecca. For domestic flights, travellers can utilize the Ta'if Regional Airport, which is situated around 120 kilometres from Mecca.


Top things to do in the Holy City of Makkah:

  • Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque)
  • Hira Cultural District
  • Mount Arafat
People walking in front of a mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia with a purple sunset sky in the background

The Holy City of Medina

Medina has a population of 1.4 million people. It's the second holiest city for Muslims. In contrast to Mecca, Medina welcomes people of all faiths, including non-Muslims. However, non-Muslims aren't allowed to enter Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque).


Medina is widely regarded as a safe destination and has been named the safest city in Saudi Arabia, particularly for female travellers. With a robust security presence, authorities ensure the city's safety, even during night hours. If you are considering travelling to Medina, then the closest airport is Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International, which is only 15km northeast of Medina. You can take a taxi from the airport.

Top things to do in the Holy City of Medina:

Desert in Dammam

Dammam

Dammam is the capital of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and the kingdom's fourth-most popular city. Its population is currently 1.4 million. Dammam prides itself on its attractions, many of which are of historical importance. It's also known as a major administrative centre for the Saudi oil industry.


Due to its location near the Arabian Sea, Dammam experiences high humidity compared to other cities in Saudi Arabia. However, its residents still have a good quality of life because of the city's low living expenses. The nearest airport is King Fahad International Airport, also known as Dammam International Airport or simply Dammam Airport.

Top things to do in Dammam:

Neom Underwater

NEOM in Saudi Arabia

NEOM may be one of the world's biggest and most controversial ongoing projects. Initiated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it's designed to emerge northwest of the country. Positioned north of the Red Sea, it lies east of Egypt, separated by the Gulf of Aqaba and to the south of Jordan.


The purpose is to create a new model for sustainable living that prioritizes people and nature. Also called the 'smart city,' it will be 33 times the size of New York and will cost around $500 billion to build.


Get a glimpse of what the future holds by visiting Neom, which is now open to the public (however many areas are still in construction). The city is already inhabited by thousands of employees working hard to build a brighter, more innovative future.

Projections indicate that the project is moving slightly slower than expected and that by 2030, there will be 300,000 permanent residents, considerably less than the 1.5 million initial estimate. That being said, other sources state that the project is progressing well, with 20% of the megacity being complete as of 2023. Developers hope to finish the majority of the project by 2039.


Top things to do in Neom (so far):

Book flights to Saudi Arabian cities

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A mosque by a beach in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Things to know before visiting Saudi Arabia

Here's a list of essential things to know before your flight to Saudi Arabia.

  • Visitors will need to apply for a tourist visa to enter the country. This will permit them to spend 90 days in Saudi Arabia.
  • Most visitors can now use the eVisa system
  • Some visitors may have to submit 2 recent passport-sized photographs or bring them with you to enter the country.
  • Ensure your passport has at least 6 months of validity before your departure date.
  • Saudi Arabia follows conservative Islamic practices. You must dress modestly, so wear clothing that covers your shoulders, arms, and legs. Women don't have to wear a hijab or any form of head covering.
  • Public displays of affection aren't acceptable and may be considered disrespectful. This includes holding hands and hugging in public.
  • The official currency of Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Riyal (SAR). Keep an eye on currency exchange rates before your trip to get an idea of how much your money will be worth in Saudi Riyals.
  • Try learning a little Arabic to make communication with locals easier. English, however, is widely spoken, especially in popular tourist destinations.
  • Read our blog post: things to know before visiting Saudi Arabia for additional advice.
Saudi 747 plane in the sky

Airlines that fly to Saudi Arabia

Alternative Airlines offers flights with 600+ airlines. These are just some of our airlines flying to Saudi Arabia.

Cities in Saudi Arabia FAQ

What is the richest city in Saudi Arabia?

Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is the richest city in the country and one of the wealthiest cities in the world. Riyadh is home to many wealthy Saudis and affluent neighbourhoods, including Hittin, Al-Malqa, Al-Yasmine, Al-Arid, and Al-Narjis.

Which city is safest in Saudi Arabia?

Medina is the safest city in Saudi Arabia and also one of the safest cities globally for female travellers.

What is the biggest city in Saudi Arabia?

Riyadh is both the capital and the biggest city in Saudi Arabia.

How many cities are there in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia has 66 cities and a population of roughly 34,162,447 inhabitants

How many airports are in Saudi Arabia?

There are 35 Airports in Saudi Arabia 13 of which are international airports.