Desert Dreams: 10 Stunning Desert Destinations in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a wonderful place to visit, especially to travellers who have been seduced by the eternal beauty of sweeping dunes, golden sands and dramatic sceneries. There are enormous deserts that reach as far as the eye can see and the Kingdom has plenty of uncommon and stunning desert experiences.

The introductory process in unlocking these desert wonders is getting your Saudi Visa from Dubai or your Saudi Visa in Sharjah. When your travel documents are ready, you will be surprised by the beauty of nature and the culture and adventure that will await you in the deserts of Saudi Arabia. We have 10 of the most beautiful desert locations in the Kingdom that you need not to miss, highlighted below.

1. Rub al Khali (Empty Quarter)

The largest continuous sand desert of the world is the Rub al Khali or the Empty Quarter. The dunes in this expansive desert are magnificent and surreal and ideal to take off road trips, star gazing and photography.

2. Al-Ula Desert

Al-Ula is a Saudi Arabia jewel that incorporates dramatic scenery with ancient history. Tourists are free to admire the impressive sandstone cliffs and visit such UNESCO World Heritage sites as Hegra. The rock formations in the desert and especially the Elephant Rock provide the perfect landscape setting to desert visits and exclusive camping sites.

3. Ad-Dahna Desert

The Ad-Dahna Desert comes between the Empty Quarter and the An-Nafud Desert and stretches across the middle of Saudi Arabia. It has beautiful red sands that are ideal in 4×4 safaris and desert trekking. The dunes are a favourite of photographers because of the unique colour of the dunes which provides a visual spectacle at sunset and sunrise.

4. An-Nafud Desert

An-Nafud Desert is a large red dune shaped crescent in the north of Saudi Arabia. The desert is an adventurer destination where one can enjoy sandboarding, camel rides and ancient caravan tracks. It is located remotely which contributes to the charm of having a real desert adventure.

5. Al-Qassim Desert

The Al-Qassim region is a less harsh desert one with oasis and date palm trees between the sand dunes. People can take camel rides, visit local markets and taste the culture of neighboring towns. Al-Qassim is a unique place due to the combination of desert and agriculture.

6. Jubbah Desert

In the Hail region, Jubbah Desert is famous due to its ancient rock carvings, it is a must to visit when you want to study some history. Petroglyphs or rock carvings in the desert, some of which date back thousands of years, are a source of information on the early life of the Arabians. Surrounding desert further gives a mystic touch to this cultural site.

7. Al Kharrarah National Park

Al Kharrarah National Park is a tourist attraction site situated outside Riyadh. Its seasonal lakes, dunes, and plateaus in the desert make it a good place to picnic, hike, and shoot photos. The park is accessible hence an easy desert getaway.

8. Al-Thumama Desert

Al-Thumama Desert is located near Riyadh, and this is a good place to visit by outdoor lovers. It is a quad biking, dune bashing and camping area. It is a lively place during weekends as families and adventure seekers come out to enjoy what the desert has to offer.

9. Harrat Khaybar

Harrat Khaybar is a volcanic desert, unlike the sandy deserts that are common, it is full of dramatic landscapes of black basaltic features. The rugged landscape of volcanic lava fields with extinct volcanoes provides a totally different experience of the desert. It is an amazing place of hiking and visiting geological phenomena.

10. Desert of Farasan Islands

Despite the name of an island group, the Farasan Islands have a coastal desert, white sand beaches, and dunes. The combination of desert with an ocean can be well used to explore the desert and do activities like snorkelling and diving in the ocean.

Conclusion

Whether you are awed by the vastness of the Rub al Khali or thrilled by the historical richness of Jubbah, the desert grounds of Saudi Arabia will offer you adventures that are exciting as well as soulful.

In case you are considering your visit, you can obtain your Saudi Visa in Dubai or Saudi Visa from Sharjah which is quite easy and fast, and you will have the smooth entry to these amazing places. Live your desert fantasy and experience the beauty of eternal sands of Saudi Arabia.