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CULTURE & HERITAGE

Best heritage villages to visit in Saudi

Away from the glitz and glamour of modern-day Saudi, take time to visit some of the country’s heritage villages to witness the rich culture of a young nation.

Words by Shaistha Khan

Saudi is a relatively young country – it recently celebrated 93 years since its founding in 1932.

But make no mistake, just as much as it is a modern metropolis with its fair share of towering skyscrapers, luxury malls boasting top designer labels, and opulent hotels, it is also a country rich in heritage, tradition, and cultural experiences. Under the auspices of the Saudi Tourism Authority, several heritage villages have been restored and are now open to the public. Be sure to make time in your glamourous Saudi sojourn to visit some of Saudi’s many traditional heritage villages. Here you’ll find fascinating family-run museums, unique architecture, and locals who are keen to share their heritage with you.

Ushaiqer

A trip to the north-western village of Ushaiqer – just 200 kilometres outside of Riyadh – can be combined with your visit to the capital city. The closest description of beige (shaqra) in the Arabic language is blonde. Owning to the colour of the small mountain nearby, the village is given the moniker of ‘the little blonde’. The village was once a centre of learning and is known to have produced some of Saudi’s most prominent scholars and teachers. Today, you can meander through its narrow alleyways and marvel at the colourful, hand-painted Najdi (from the word Najd, for the central region of Saudi) doors. Or walk up the staircase of a mud house for the best vantage points of Ushaiqer, dotted with white rooftops. Or relax under the shade of the palm tree groves that keep the village cool during harsh summers. At Al Salem Museum, browse through the family’s collection of artillery, Bedouin clothes, and jewellery.

Rijal Almaa, Asir

The southwest region of Saudi, Rijal Almaa in the Asir province is one of the best places to see the topographical and cultural diversity that the Kingdom has to offer. In this mountainous region, you’ll find plenty of flora and fauna – a sharp contrast to the desert landscape elsewhere. Recognised as one of the best tourism villages in the World in 2021 by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the 900-year-old Rijal Almaa Almaa village houses 60 stone fortresses that resemble gingerbread houses from afar. Inside, you’ll find the guest room to be decorated with Al Qatt Al Asiri, a colourful, indigenous artform that has been passed down from mothers to their daughters over the years and now, enlisted as Saudi’s intangible cultural heritage. Men of the local tribe wear basil and jasmine flower crowns to beautify their appearance, and each tribe has unique folkloric dance and song traditions that can be witnessed on national holidays.

Al Olayan, Asir

A mere 150 kilometres away from the Rijal Almaa village, make a quick pitstop in the Al-Namas hill station. Here you’ll find the Al Olayan heritage village and museum, named after its residents, the Al Olayan family. Now an abandoned village, all 96 of the homes have a family name denoting who used to reside there. The adjoining museum features over 3,000 antiques and collectibles, like farming tools, utensils, and household items that the families used, traditional clothing, and archives of old newspapers and records. The museum was established by a local who took it upon himself to preserve the heritage of the community.

Al Maqar, Asir

Also known as the Namas Castle, Almaqar is located southeast of ‘Asir in Al Namas city. The completion of the castle reportedly spanned 35 years. Adorned with seven outer domes, distinctive Moorish architecture, and constructed from a million natural stones, it could very well justify the lengthy anticipation. The castle sits atop a hill and overlooks the terraced gardens and the Mujaridah valley below. The interior features ornate and colourful Andalusian tile work and a spiral, stone staircase. The museum is a family’s personal collection and features 1,500 artifacts, including literary texts, rock inscriptions, and rifles.

Thee Ain, Al Baha

Head northwest from Asir to Al Baha, which is known for its mountainous terrain, coffee bean and banana plantations, and honey production. The city’s most alluring landmark, however, is the Thee Ain village. Set against the Sarawat Mountains, this 10th century heritage village is said to have seen plenty of tribal battles during the period of Saudi’s unification. The village is named after a water spring (ayn in Arabic) from the mountains, and local folklore has it that when a man dropped his crane into a river, he traced it back to the Thee Ain village. No longer inhabited but recently renovated, the village sits on marble stone outcrop, features nearly 50 multi-storey houses (some as tall as four levels) and one mosque, and is built with volcanic rocks and mud. The taller towers are topped off with local white quartz stone, making them shine from a distance. Take the narrow, cobbled-stone walkway up the mountain where you can get unparalleled views of the verdant landscape of palm tree groves and crop plantations, below.

Mithnab, Al Qassim

While Al Qassim in Saudi’s central region is known for its annual date festival and superior produce, one little-known fact is that it is also home to some of the Kingdom’s most well-preserved heritage sites. Just 75km south of Buraydah, the Mithnab heritage village is one fine example, going on to win the local tourism and antiquities award for preservation of traditional architecture. Once a village of 384 houses, now it is open for visitors to walk through the centre square and witness remnants of traditional Najdi architecture – mud houses characterized with triangular windows, walkways and roofs lined with thatched straw, and ornate, colourful doors that contrast against the taupe façade of the mud buildings.

Al Qassar, Al Farasan Islands

Perhaps the Kingdom’s best-kept secret is the Al Farasan Islands, located in the southwestern region of Saudi along the Red Sea coast. There are 80 islands in Jazan, and Al Farasan is the largest, with a local population of about 12,000 people. Rich in marine biodiversity, the area was previously protected by the Saudi Wildlife Authority. But now it’s opening up to tourism, with the Red Sea development project at the helm. Apart from water activities like scuba diving, swimming, or fishing, plan a visit to the Al Qassar heritage village. Within the ancient village that dates back 3,000 years, residents utilized native coral and sandstone to construct their homes, creating a distinctive architectural style not seen elsewhere.

Practical information

Visas

It’s surprisingly simple and easy to get an e-Visa for Saudi and the process is very similar to applying for an ESTA for the USA. Over 50 nationalities are eligible to apply for an e-Visa, including people from the UK and USA, with it costing (at the time of writing) 535 Saudi riyals (about £115 or US$143). Applications are swift and nearly all applicants will receive a response within three working days – most within 24 hours. To apply for your Saudi e-Visa, visit the official Saudi Tourism Authority website. If you’re from the USA, UK or the Schengen Area, you can also apply for a visa on arrival into Saudi. It’s slightly cheaper than an e-Visa, too, at SAR480 (about £102 or US$128).

Getting there & around

With plenty of direct flight links from the UK to Saudi, it’s really easy to get to the country. Saudi’s national airline SAUDIA flies to Riyadh three times daily from London Heathrow, while British Airways also offers a regular service from Heathrow with daily flights to the capital. SAUDIA also operates twice daily flights to Jeddah from London Heathrow and daily flights from London Gatwick. If you’re travelling from the US, SAUDIA offers direct flights to Riyadh from both New York City and Washington, D.C., as well as direct flights to Jeddah from New York City, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.

Local customs

To really embrace Saudi life and pay respect towards its traditions, there are a few local customs you should abide when travelling around the country. Both men and women should wear clothing that covers their elbows and below their knees when out in public. If you’re heading to the coast, it’s still expected you dress modestly. When meeting and greeting locals, whether it’s a market stallholder or a private guide, say hello with ‘salam alaykum’, which means ‘peace be upon you’, as well as offering a handshake.

Weather

You might think it’s hot all year round in Saudi but it’s a little more nuanced than that. The best time to visit Riyadh is between October and March, when temperatures can dip as low as 20°C during the daytime and rarely exceed 30°C. Summer months in Riyadh can get extremely hot, with temperatures often above 40°C between June and September.

FAQ

Is English spoken in Saudi?

Arabic is the official national language but English is widely spoken.

What is the currency of Saudi?

The currency of Saudi is the riyal, with the current rate (at the time of writing), around SAR4.76 to the UK£. You’ll need to pre-order money before you travel, as in the UK it’s not usually stocked in currency exchange booths.

What’s it like travelling in Saudi as a female?

We think you’d be surprised! To find out more, read our first-hand account on what it’s like to travel in Saudi.

What’s the time difference in Saudi?

Saudi follows Arabia Standard Time (GMT +3) all year round.