Luxury hotels in Red Sea

Red Sea guide

Saudi Arabia's Red Sea: islands, reefs and the desert

An archipelago of untouched coral, overwater villas, volcanic landscapes and Hegra within reach.

Saudi Arabia's Red Sea destination, along the coast between Umluj and Al Wajh, is an archipelago of more than ninety islands, many of them untouched, with some of the healthiest coral reefs in the region. Snorkelling, diving and sailing among the islands are the most cited experiences.

Inland, dormant volcanoes, canyons and desert offer hiking and stargazing, and AlUla's Hegra is reachable by air. The destination is new and still opening, so we check what is available for your dates. The water is warm all year, and the cooler months are best for the desert.

AlUla from the Red Sea coast

AlUla, a short flight inland from the Red Sea coast, is the most cited combination for a stay on the Red Sea: Hegra, Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, with more than a hundred monumental Nabataean tombs carved into sandstone, and the desert landscapes around it.

Elephant Rock at dusk, the mirrored concert hall of Maraya and the old mud-brick town of AlUla complete the visit. Combining the islands and the desert makes a striking contrast in a single journey, best from October to March.

Stargazing and the volcanic landscapes

Away from cities, the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia has some of the darkest skies in the region, and guided stargazing sessions are among the most cited experiences of a stay, with telescopes and astronomers explaining the night sky.

Inland, dormant volcanoes and lava fields, canyons and rock art sites can be explored by four-wheel drive or on guided hikes. The destination is still developing, so we confirm which experiences are available for your dates.