This page profiles various cities of Saudi-Arabia, their history, culture, pictures and related information for knowledge, providing ideas for things to do and sightseeing.
Makkah, Saudi-Arabia
Makkah, Saudi-Arabia is the holiest and noblest place for worldwide Muslims.
Qassim is located in the north of Saudi-Arabia. It is known for its large date plantations. An annual festival of dates is also celebrated in the Qassim city and region.
The town of al-bekariya near QassimThe Qassim MuseumOn the road to Al bekariya near Qassim
The city of Madina is the second holiest city for the Muslims. It is located on the western part of Saudi-Arabia, a few hundred kilometers north of the city of Makkah. Prophet Muhammad and his closest companions are buried in this city.
Jeddah is the second largest of Saudi-Arabia (after Riyadh). The city is located on the western side of the country and is a landing port for the pilgrims visiting the holy places of Makkah and Madinah.
Old Jeddah City and its buildingsOld Jeddah City and its buildingsThe large water fountain of Jeddah on the Red SeaAl-Rahmah mosque in Jeddah, Saudi-ArabiaThe large water fountain on the red sea
Makkah is the holiest city for all Muslims. In this city is the sacred and noblest mosque called the Haram Al-Shareef. Within the haram is the cube shaped ‘Kaaba’, which is the house of God (Allah). All Muslims worldwide face the Kaaba to offer their daily five prayers.
The inside of the Haram Mosque in MakkahThe cubed shaped Kaaba in MakkahOne of the many gates of the haram mosque in MakkahA view of the Kaaba with devout Muslims circling in a ritual called ‘tawaf’the golden colors of the inside of Makkah mosqueThe the inside of Makkah mosque with worshipers engaged in prayers
Riyadh is not only Saudi-Arabia’s largest and capital city, it is also the largest city of the Middle East and Gulf countries. One can find plenty of history, culture, and other things to do in this large city. Below are some of the sites that you can visit while you are in Riyadh.
The Annual Janadriyah Cultural Festival
The Annual Janadriyah Cultural Festival of Saudi-Arabia
The oasis in Hofuf are considered one of the largest in the world. With many square miles of Palm tress, the city provides multiple things to do for a new visitor. Here are some of the pictures to give you a sense of the oasis in Hofuf.
Aerial view of the oasis in Hofuf, Saudi-ArabiaAnother Aerial view of the oasis in Hofuf, Saudi-ArabiaPalm trees in the Oasis of HofufSughtseeing in the Oasis of Hofuf
Al-Gara Mountain in Hofuf, Kingdom of Saudi-Arabia is located in the eastern province of Saudi-Arabia in the region of Al-Ahsa. It is one of the key natural landmarks in the country. If you are looking for things to do in Saudi-Arabia, then visiting Al-Gara mountains site should be on your list.
Al-Gara Mountain is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. As tourism to the kingdom is still not as open to those travelling from abroad, most of these tourists are locals or locally based expats.
The Al-Gara Mountain site provides a view of many rocks and caves and alleys between the rocks. Tourists can walk around the Al-Gara Mountain site and explore those caves, alleys, and other natural aspects of the site.
Below are some of the pictures from the Al-Gara mountain site in Hofuf, Al-Ahsa.
Al-Gara Mountains Visitor Center. Hofuf Saudi-Arabia.Entering Al-Gara Mountain area near HofufHofuf Al-Ahsa Saudi-Arabia CultureHofuf Al-Ahsa Saudi-Arabia CultureAl-Gara Mountains Hofuf Saudi-ArabiaAl-Gara Mountains Hofuf Saudi-ArabiaAl-Gara Mountains Hofuf in Al-Ahsa ProvinceAlleys through the rocks of Al-Gara Mountains Hofuf in Al-Ahsa ProvinceBeautiful rocksView from the top of Al-Gara Mountain Saudi-ArabiaView from the top of Al-Gara Mountain Saudi-ArabiaView at the top of Al-Gara Mountain Saudi-ArabiaCultural artifacts of Hofuf, Saudi-Arabia (Eastern Province)
Janadriyah Festival is an annual festival held on the outskirts of Saudi-Arabia’s capital city of Riyadh in the town of Janadriyah. The festival showcases the culture of Saudi-Arabia since it was founded in the early 20th century by its founder Kind Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud.
The following pictures depict the various facets of the Saudi culture.
These tools represent the Saudi farmer .
Janadriya festival Riyadh Saudi-Arabia
The following jars and pots were used to store clean water for drinking and cooking.
Early Saudi-Arabia – Pots and Pans for drinking water
The following pictures shows the many postage stamps that the Saudis have had in circulation for the past century.
The many stamps put in circulation through Saudi history
An old Quran from the year 1051 A.H. that corresponds approximately to the early 1630 AD.
Old copy of a Mushaf Quran in circulation throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Dates to 1051 AH
Another old Quran that was printed around 1780 AD.
Another old Mushaf Quran from the year 1198 AH. Arabian Peninsula
The following picture shows the weaponry that the early Saudis carried and used during the early to mid twentieth century.
Common weaponry in the Arabian Peninsula during the early to mid twentieth century. Swords, pistols, and daggers.
More weaponry samples.
More weaponry from the Arabian Peninsula used during the early to mid twentieth century. Swords, pistols, and daggers.
This picture shows the weaponry as well as the tea and coffee pots that are traditional in the Saudi culture.
Mix of weaponry and cooking utensils
Islamic calligraphy with the name “Muhammad” carved in stone. The name symbolizes Prophet Muhammad.
Islamic calligraphy stating “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, Peace be upon him”
Traditional Saudi Tea pot with small serving cups.
Saudi tea pot
The picture below shows the traditional tea pot in red (on the left) and a traditional coffee pot in gold / silver color on the right. The small cups are usually used to serve Arabic coffee.
Saudi coffee and tea pots
The following shows the various currency denominations that Saudis have had in circulation for the past century.
old Saudi currency. Various denominations
More Saudi currency below.
old Saudi currency. Various denominations
Below are the traditional pots that were used for eating and drinking.
More food utensils used in the early to mid twentieth century. These designs are still prevalent today and have come to represent the Saudi culture.
Old Saudi Pots and Pans
In the festival ground of Janadriyah, structures are built to mimic the forts, houses and other buildings of the early Saudi era and culture. The following is a replica of the actual fort that the founder of Saudi-Arabia conquered before he founded Saudi-Arabia.
Saudi fort replica erected for the festival in Janadriyah
The black tent below symbolizes the traditional dwelling places that Saudis used when they lived in the deserts of Arabia throughout the Arabian peninsula.
Saudi tents used in the desert
Below, visitors to the Janadriyah festival take a break to offer the evening Muslim prayers.
Visitors and artists praying during a break in the Janadriyah Festival
Visitors are shopping for various Saudi cultural artifacts. In the background, the traditional Saudi pots are visible.
Visitors shopping in the Janadriyah Festival
Below is another picture of the fort during the early days of founding of Saudi-Arabia.
Large number of visitors during the Janadriyah Festival
The pictures below show the early and present days of the Saudia Airlines and the planes it used to have in service. The first plane was a DC-3.
Old Saudi PlaneNew models Saudi Plane
The founder of Saudi-Arabia, King Abdul Aziz takes the first plane ride on Saudia’s first airplane.
King Abdul-Aziz during his first flight on the first Saudia plane
Women visitors in the foreground can be seen in their traditional Abaya dresses shopping for various cultural artifacts.
Visitors shopping during the Janadriyah Festival
A mill used in the earlier days operated by a camel.
Camel used to run the mill for grinding sesame seeds
The exhibits below showcase the city of Jazan, which is located near the south west border of Saudi-Arabia bordering Yemen and the Red Sea.
Jazan Saudi ArabiaBoating is quote in Jazan
A cultural folk dance from the area of Jazan in the south west of Saudi-Arabia.
Jazan folk dance in Saudi-Arabia
Artifacts from a traditional Saudi sitting for guests. The round mat is used to serve food. People would normally sit around a large plate and share the food that is served on that large plate.
Saudi traditional sitting
The following show the coins that were used during the early years of Saudi-Arabia. These coins were continuing from the Ottoman period.
Currency and coins from the Ottoman EmpireCurrency and coins from the Ottoman Empire