Across protected waters on Saudi’s Red Sea coast, the Saudi Red Sea offers one of the world’s most extraordinary ocean escapes, where the focus is on protection and discovery rather than mass tourism. Its underwater landscape is home to some of the planet’s most pristine and resilient coral reefs, untouched by heavy traffic and now preserved as part of a regenerative approach to luxury travel. Divers and snorkelers encounter flourishing reef walls, sea turtles, rays, and kaleidoscopic marine life that feels like a private underwater sanctuary. On the surface, sailing between quiet lagoons, kayaking through mangrove channels and stargazing over silent waters sets the rhythm of a destination built around nature. Shura Island, the Red Sea’s central luxury and wellness hub, focused on ultra‑high‑end beach and island hospitality, branded residences, and signature experiences, began welcoming guests late 2025, when the first three resorts on the island The Red Sea EDITION, InterContinental The Red Sea Resort, SLS The Red Sea, and Saudi’s first island golf course, Shura Links opened. Bringing a new definition of barefoot luxury, joined by inland icons such as Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, St. Regis Red Sea Resort, and the overwater escape Shebara, along with Six Senses Southern Dunes and the extraordinary geology inspired Desert Rock. Further north, the ultra-luxury destination AMAALA begins welcoming its first guests, expanding Saudi’s regenerative approach to wellness and ocean-focused hospitality on the Red Sea. Here, the ocean isn’t a backdrop - it’s the experience.

AlUla is a destination carved by time and celebrated by culture. Rising from sandstone formations and oasis valleys, it holds the UNESCO-listed Hegra, where monumental Nabataean tombs emerge from cliffs that turn golden at sunrise and amber at dusk. But AlUla’s appeal goes beyond its ancient architecture; it’s a destination that blends heritage with outdoor adventure and a year-round cultural pulse. Travelers book sunrise hot-air balloons over towering rock formations, hike cinematic ridges, explore heritage trails lined with palm groves, and spend evenings under internationally recognized dark skies for stargazing. Through the autumn-winter months, AlUla transforms into a global cultural arena, with festivals like AZIMUTH, AlUla Wellness, Ancient Kingdoms and Winter at Tantora, plus international sporting moments such as AlUla Desert Polo and major trail races. Its hospitality scene mirrors its landscape: sculpted villas at Banyan Tree AlUla, experiential living at Habitas and Caravan by Habitas, restored mudbrick architecture at Dar Tantora, and new international openings expected through 2026, including luxury and lifestyle brands expanding around Hegra. AlUla is a place where travelers experience history, culture, nature, and design in one of the world’s most dramatic settings.

Jeddah: Coastal Culture, Historic Charm & Global Events by the Sea

Jeddah introduces travelers to a vibrant blend of coastal living, modern culture, and deep-rooted heritage. Along the Red Sea waterfront, the city’s beaches, cafés, public art installations and yacht-filled marinas shape a lifestyle where the sea sets the pace, with the Jeddah Yacht Club & Marina evolving into a major social hub for dining, sailing and ocean activities. Its warm coastline invites diving, snorkeling and open-water experiences across coral-rich offshore sites, while the city’s beach clubs and waterfront promenades bring together residents and visitors for relaxed Red Sea living. Within this contemporary energy sits the UNESCO-listed Historic Jeddah, where coral-stone houses with wooden roshan balconies overlook restored alleyways filled with markets, artisan studios, concept stores and heritage cafés. Travelers can wander these historic lanes before stepping into the immersive world of TeamLab Borderless Jeddah, a globally renowned digital art experience housed near the district. As an events destination, the city shines with Jeddah Season, bringing a major calendar of concerts, waterfront shows, celebrity appearances and themed entertainment across the coast - alongside international moments such as the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the Red Sea International Film Festival, and global touring shows and sporting showcases that attract star athletes, acclaimed artists and industry leaders. With luxury hotels like Raffles Jeddah and Four Seasons Jeddah opening through 2026, the city continues to expand as a cosmopolitan hub where heritage, art, lifestyle and ocean culture meet.

Riyadh: A Global Capital for Sports, Events & Skyline Culture

Riyadh is where Saudi’s global ambitions come to life through a city shaped by skyline architecture, lifestyle innovation, and year-round entertainment. Each year, Riyadh Season turns the capital into one of the world’s largest cultural festivals – a long season of concerts, themed attractions, international dining pop-ups, immersive shows and global performances spread across entertainment hubs like Boulevard City and Boulevard World. The 2026 calendar features headline moments such as WWE Royal Rumble, LIV Golf Riyadh, major esports championships like Esports World Cup, and international sporting showcases building on events like the WTA Finals and Six Kings Slam, positioning Riyadh firmly on the world stage. Beyond arenas and stadiums, Riyadh’s lifestyle scene brings luxury shopping and world-class dining together in destinations like Via Riyadh and modern districts such as KAFD, where flagship fashion houses, cinemas, galleries and high-end restaurants mix with bold contemporary architecture. With a growing landscape of lifestyle and luxury hotels set to open throughout 2026, the capital offers high-energy travel shaped by major sports, entertainment, culinary culture and upscale city living - a place where the season itself becomes the experience.

Diriyah: A Culture a Thousand-Year-Old, Alive in Every Step You Take

Diriyah sits at the cultural heart of Riyadh, offering a world where heritage is preserved with contemporary elegance. Centered around the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif, Diriyah presents mudbrick palaces, fortified pathways and courtyards that collectively narrate the origins of Saudi identity and architecture. The destination comes alive most vividly between late autumn and early spring, when cooler evenings fill the district with visitors wandering through museums, outdoor galleries and cultural activations. During this season, Diriyah’s wadi transforms with attractions like Layali Diriyah, live music performances and pop-up markets surrounded by illuminated palm groves, while nearby Bujairi Terrace becomes a hub for world-class dining overlooking historic walls. Boutique hotels like Bab Samhan introduce heritage-inspired luxury stays, with additional brands set to open throughout 2026 - establishing Diriyah as one of the world’s most refined heritage-driven destinations. For travelers seeking authenticity, architecture and culture, Diriyah offers Saudi’s story told beautifully through place, woven seamlessly into the fabric of modern Riyadh. As Cristiano Ronaldo discovered, "what I found here goes beyond the game." From the dazzling goals on the pitch to the dazzling landscapes off it, this country truly offers endless reasons to "stay for more." He discovered a collection of diverse worlds – are you ready to explore these incredible places yourself?