Saudi Arabia

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Eco-friendly travel guide to Saudi Arabia advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to travel in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Asia.

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia


  • Air quality: 3.0 / 5
  • Bus connections: 4.0 / 5
  • Train connections: 4.0 / 5
  • Hitchhiking: 3.0 / 5
  • National parks: 4.0 / 5
  • Outdoor activities: 4.5 / 5
  • Locals' English level: 4.0 / 5
  • Safety: 4.0 / 5
  • Accommodation: US$15 - $30
  • Budget per day: US$30 - $60

Responsible Travel

Saudi Arabia officially called the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a West Asian country located In the Arabian Peninsula. It covers a vast stretch of land, which is 150000 square kilometers or 830000 square miles. It is the largest sovereign state in Western Asia and the second largest in the Arab World after Algeria. It is the largest nation in Asia and comes 12th in the world. It is well connected to the world in terms of good relations with neighboring countries. Jordan And Iraq border it in the north, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates in the East, Kuwait in the northeast, Yemen and Oman to the south and south-east. Saudi Arabia is the only country that has the Red Sea Coast and the Persian Gulf coast along its borders, making it even more accessible and attractive in terms of business opportunity as well as tourism. However, it has Primary train 18th largest economy globally as per the global computation of October 2018.

This country is also known for its religious importance because it has the most of Mecca and Madina. It is called “the land of the Two Holy mosques” because it has Al Masjid Al haram in Mecca and Al-Masjid An-Nabawi in MadinaWhich are known to be the two holiest pilgrimages in Islam. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a high-earning economy, according to the World Bank, and has got a very high Human Development Index.

Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia primarily comes from Religious pilgrimage, but there has been enormous growth in the tourism sector in recent years. According to the World Bank’s current data, approximately 14.3 million people visited Saudi Arabia in 2012. The unveiling of this data made Saudi Arabia, 19th most visited country in the world. The national plans to extend its tourism industry in religious and non-religious sectors by leveraging its potential for expansion. The Kingdom has started offering electronic Visa cards for foreign visitors who want to attend sports programs and concerts. The government has also eased getting a tourist visa by opening the visa application for people from around 50 countries.

  • As a responsible, eco-friendly Traveller, you must contribute your bit to keep the environment clean by using the dustbins and public sanitation facilities instead of littering around.
  • Walking is the best option to help the place stay cleaner and also get yourself more acquainted with the lifestyle and culture that Saudi Arabia holds within itself.
  • You can also use a bicycle for traveling shorter distances. This will solve the problem of air pollution in the region and contribute to your good health and let you get more familiar with the people’s lifestyle and culture at the same time.
  • Using public transport for traveling to more considerable distances is also a good option. The public transportation facility is well maintained by the government and will give you satisfaction and convenience of traveling. Using public transport is a gesture of considering the environment and a method to deal with the tremendous amount of traffic on the road.


Air Quality and Pollution

The air quality of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is primarily good to moderate. The cleanest city in Saudi Arabia is Ghran in Makkah province. The most polluted city in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia, is located in the section Ar Riyad. The US Air Quality Index remains around 90 to 100. This is the borderline case of safe and unsafe air quality as per the WHO guidelines. The primary air pollutant is PM2.5with its concentration as much as the double recommended 20 micrograms per cubic meter. Saudi Arabia is a significant producer of oil and is a predominantly arid country with low vegetation. It is advisable to wear a mask and have an air purifier installed in the accommodation place. The increased industrialization has led to an increased level of pollution due to the increased consumption of fossil fuels. You must take good care of yourself and avoid taking your baby out due to the increased risk of uneasiness.


Respect the Culture

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932 by Ibn Saud. Saudi Arabia is called the land of “the Two Holy mosques” because it has Al Masjid Al haram in Mecca and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Madina, considered the two holiest places in Islam. This place is known to be the birthplace of Islam, which is the world’s second-largest religion. One can also witness several ancient and cultural civilization on this land. It is known to be the place where the first human activities were traced. In the early 7th century, Islam was started on this land by the Islamic Prophet Muhammad and was later expanded and popularised by his followers through conquest beyond Arabia.

Several Arab Dynasties have originated from Saudi Arabia. These grand dynasties include Rashidun (632-661), Abbasid (750-1517), Umayyad (661- 750), and Fatimid (909- 1171). It is also a place of origin for other smaller dynasties in Asia, Europe, and Africa. There are four regions, which are Hejaz, Najd, Asir, and Al-Ahsa.

The country follows an autocratic form of governance, which is absolute Monarchy and happens to be a hereditary dictatorship. The inhabitants are primarily Sunni Muslims and follow the Wahhabi Religious Movement, often referred to as the prominent feature of Saudi Arabian Culture. Saudi Arabia is a power in the Islamic world. It is an active member of various international organizations like the Gulf Cooperation Council, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, OPEC, Arab League, and an active member and founding member of The United Nations.

Though it is a rich country and is the second-largest oil producer, it has been highly criticized by the other nations due to a variety of reasons like role in the Yemeni War, failure to control and terminate human trafficking, extrajudicial use of capital punishment, poor human rights regulation and women rights, discrimination against atheists and religious minorities and sponsorship of Islamic terrorism.


Top 10 Places to Visit

Saudi Arabia is the largest country on the Peninsula of Arabia. It occupies an area the size of the United States east of the Mississippi River. Saudi Arabia is the second-largest in the Arabian world and the 12th largest country all over the world. Saudi Arabia has the world's youngest population, with 50%of its population is under age 25 years old. (2004 census), and its capital is Riyadh. Saudi Arabia is surrounded by Jordan and Iraq to the north; Qatar, Bahrain, and United Arab Emirates in the east; Oman and Yemen to the south. Saudi Arabia has several sites of ancient cultures and civilization. The second-largest religion of the world is Islam that emerged in the modern day in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia's geography is diverse, with forests, pastures, mountain ranges, and deserts. The climate varies from region to region. Temperatures can reach over 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the desert in summer, while in winter, temperatures in the north and center of the country can drop below freezing. Saudi Arabia receives very little rainfall, only about ten centimeters a year on average.

The majority of the landscape in the country is covered by the Arabian Desert. This large area consists of other smaller desert region which includes the An Nafud in the northern and Rub al Khali in the southern side of the country. The Rub al Khali is considered the biggest contagious sand desert over the globe. The Tihamah consist of the coastal plain on the west side of the country with the Red Sea. The two large mountain ranges dominate the eastern escarpments namely the Asir and the Hejaz which is segregated by an aperture in the area of Mecca. The Jabal Sawda is the highest point with its peak located three thousand meters away in the region of Abha which is situated in the mountain of Asir in the southwest corner. The coastal plain extending 100 kilometer wide ranges in the western side known as the Hejaz. The Hejaz differentiates Najd from the coastal area which is the central region of Saudi Arabia. One of the prominent features of the country is that there is no water body in this region, the sandy seas have already buried the older river bodies. When the country experiences heavy rain the wide river valleys and courses carry water for a short period of time. When it comes to the consumption of humans for irrigation the seasonal floodwater and the rivers situated underground be of great help.

  • The Red Sea Project: It is a land and property development planned by Saudi crown prince Mohammad bin Salman. It's is planned to establish the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast. It's basically planned for the purpose of tourism, hoping that the tourist is attracted towards it and explore the Saudi Western coast. The Red Sea Project is located particularly between the two cities of Umluj and Al-wajh. The first phase of the project started in 2019 and is expected to complete by 2022. The project is composed of 14 luxury and hyper-luxury hotels: marinades, leisure, and lifestyle amenities along with an Airport.
  • Kingdom Centre Tower: It is the third tallest building and tower and is the fifth – tallest skyscraper in Saudi Arabia. It was designed by an architecture firm, namely 'Ellerbe Becket,' in a partnership with an architectural and engineering firm 'Omrania and Associates located in Riyadh. The building consists of a tower and a podium having two symmetrically shaped wings. The tower's almond shape and curved shapes give it a distinctive shape and keep it calm, with ends facing east and west. There is a large opening that allows the building to rise above the height limit of 30 floors. The tower provides space for 13 floors for offices, ten floors for hotel, and five floors of luxury apartments from top to bottom.
  • Al-Masjid an Nabawi: The Prophet Mosque popularly known as the Al-Masjid An-Nawabi also majorly known as Al-Haram, Al Haram Al Madani, and Al Haram Al Nawabi from the locals of the city. It is the mosque constructed by the last Prophet Muhammad in Medina city, inside the province of Al-Medina. This was the second mosque built by the last messenger of God, after the construction of Masjid Quba’a which is now the largest mosque. The Masjid Al- Quba’a is the second most sacred mosque after Masjid Al-Haram.
  • The Great Mosque of Mecca ( Masjid al-Haram): Commonly known as the Masjid al-Haram or the 'Great Mosque of Mecca,' this mosque surrounding the Kaaba in Mecca in the Kaaba province, is a sacred and religious site for the Muslim pilgrims for their prayer Hajj and Umrah and has witnessed the generations of the ruling of various Caliphs. It is a site of pilgrimage in the Hajj which is compulsory for every Muslim once in their lifetime. The great mosque also includes other important signs such as the Black Stone, Zamzam Well, the hills of Safa and Marwa, and Maqam Ibrahim.
  • Al Balad: Al-Balad, the historic district of Jeddah, is the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia. In 1991, Jeddah's public authority formed the Jeddah Historical Preservation Society for the preservation of the architecture and culture of Al-Balad. But the ugly conditions of the road with retarded walls have not discoursed the tourists from visiting this historic rabbit warren city.
  • Red Sea Mall: Red Sea Mall has its location in northern Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia. Covering almost 242,200 square meters of the built area, a hotel called "Elaf Jeddah" is attached to it. It consists of 12 rooms and both the "largest indoor water source" and "the largest glass-covered area" in Saudi Arabia.
  • Kaaba: It is a building in the center of the most important mosque in Islam, the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca of Saudi Arabia. Being the holiest place in Islam, Muslims are regarded as Bayt Allah and the Qibla for Muslims. The Qibla is the direction the Muslims follow while offering their prayers. Muslims also face Qibla while reciting the Quran and find it to be a good part of etiquette.
  • Jeddah Corniche: The Jeddah Corniche is the coastal resort of area 30 km from Jeddah city. Owing to its location along the Red Sea, it boasts a coastal road with areas for recreation, civic sculptures, and pavilions, with the King Fahd Fountain, the highest globally.
  • King Fahd's Fountain: The fountain was given as a gift to the Jeddah by King Fahd. Positioned on the western coastline of Saudi Arabia, the fountain ejects water at a maximum height of 260 meters above the Red Sea. It is the tallest of its type in the world.
  • Corniche: Al- Khobar Corniche mingles with the Gulf of Arab, offering beauty enshrining sites with glittering waters comprising pristine parks of family attraction and places of tranquility for worship. It a wholesome, diverse part of the daily bustle of this city.
  • Al Rashid Mall: Being the best of its kind in the downtown Jizan area, the mall supplies with an elegant space covering an average size of 50,000 sq. m. on three stories for its visitors to enjoy a good catch on its sales and everyday dealings.
The beautiful Al Masjid an Nabwi


Explore

Both Mecca and Medinah are located in Saudi Arabia. Mecca being the birthplace of the last prophet of muslims Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), has made the place holier than any other city or country all over the world for muslims. In Mecca, one can experience the heart-wrenching site of the Holiest thing on earth which is the Ka’aba (the house of god) also considered as the central place for the Islamic Hajj. More than 2 million people from all over the world come over every year for pilgrimage. Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia which is located in the center and is the most famous city among all the cities in Saudi. The tremendous growth of the city is because of the Oil Bloom that started over an era now. This city is the ultimate face of the modern hub of technology of Saudi Arabia. The map shows the location of the following cities and towns in Saudi Arabia: The most populous cities are Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Ta'if (in Taif), Dammam, Buraydah, and Al Khobar, part of the Dammam metropolitan area.

  • Riyadh: Riyadh which is the central region of the country is also the capital of the same which can compete with any other city from all over the world when it comes to architectural extravagance. The road network is quite strong with wider areas surpassing each other all over the town. The total area covered by the city is approximately 600 square miles. Foreign visitors are attracted to this city due to its lavish life span and culture which is outstanding. The word Riyadh is derived from the Arabic word which means tress and gardens. Riyadh is the political and administrative center of Saudi Arabia. The city hosts 112 foreign embassies, which are located in the Safarat district or Diplomatic quarter. The city also holds great economic significance and many headquarters of a major bank and famous companies. Riyadh has some of its famous festivals like Jenadriyah, Riyadh international Bookfair, and Riyadh season, where they host cultural and traditional events. Such as camel race, poetry reading, and many more.
  • The holy city of Mecca: Right away from Jeddah at a distance of 73 kilometers the Holy city of Mecca is located which is a place where Prophet Muhammed, peace be upon him, was born and brought up. This is the place where the first messenger was revealed by the God to him where he returned to the city after 622 AD, spending his time migrating in Medina. Mecca is the world’s most sacred city according to the Muslims. Each and every Muslim who is not burdened with any personal circumstances perform Hajj( A pilgrimage to Mecca). Therefore, as a result, more than two million people from all over the world come over to this place every year. The Ka’aba is located in Mecca which defines the seven bypasses that every person coming for a Pilgrimage must complete. Only Muslims are allowed to enter this holy city Mecca. Muslims from all around the world come to visit this city not just for Hajj or Umrah but also to explore the city as a tourist to visit the regional landmark mosque Aisha and some other ancient sites.
  • The holy city of Medina: 447 kilometers north from the holy city of Mecca lies Medina, which is considered the second most sacred city in the history of Islam. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, along with his followers left for Medina in 622 AD. The era of Islamic history began in this city. This city is considered as the city of prophets. It is the place where the compilation of the holy book Quran was done under the administration of the Muslim community affairs. This city became the seat of the very first Islamic state. It is also the place where Prophet Muhammad was buried. The city is known to have existed before 1500 years before Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina. Otherwise, it had been named after Hijrah. Medina is full of culture and traditions with people living together with other nationalities. The holy city gifts a free copy of the Qur'an and bottles of Zamzam water at the end of the trip to every visitor.
  • Jeddah: The Red Sea consists of the Port of Jeddah which is situated halfway along the western coast of the Kingdom. Jeddah is considered as the most Cosmopolitan city among the other Arabian cities due to its availability of Sea and Airport for the Pilgrims visiting the Holy City of Mecca. The extraordinary growth of the city’s development is held by the Saudi development program which has been achieved in a very short period of time. Jeddah is among the other cities in the world that boasts its modern design of architecture. Jeddah is the gateway to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam. Economically, Jeddah is focusing on the further development of the country on the basis of scientific and engineering leadership within Saudi Arabia. Jeddah is Saudi primary resort city. The city has a motto for its elf, "Jeddha Ghair," which means "Jeddha is different."This motto is used by both locals and foreigners.
  • Dhahran: On the western side of Khobar the city of Dhahran is located, where the area of Dammam is formed by the Al Khobar and Dammam. The Arabian American Oil company had its headquarters in Dhahran. This company is the world’s largest oil company with large oil reserves as compared with other oil companies from all over the world. The production is about 10 million liters Oil every single day. This is the main reason which makes it a site of Mineral University and King Fahd Petroleum. There is three international Airport in this city with proper construction of architecture combining modern building techniques with traditional Islamic design. Dhahran is the administrative center for the Saudi oil industry. The Dhahran-Dammam is an area of two regions that were selected by the government as potential sites to build Saudi's first nuclear reactor.
  • Jubail and Yanbu industrial area: One of the most successful cities considered in Saudi is Jubail and Yanbu which has proven itself exceptionally well when it comes to architecture and greenery. These two cities were designed over aboard and were intended by the architects that it would be a highly efficient industrial center of the country which it proved to be. These two cities give away the basis for the development program of the country to develop energy-intensive and hydrocarbon-based industries all over the world. These cities provide cheap industrialization to every other city situated in Saudi so that the country may get advantage when it comes to cheap raw material for the manufacturing of Petroleum.
The Holy Ka'aba in Mecca


City Parks

  • Al Bujairi Heritage Park
  • King Abdullah Park
  • Al Rudaf Park
  • Salam Park
  • Yanbu Lakes


National Parks

  • Asir National Park
  • Saiysad National Park
  • King Abdullah Environmental Park


Beaches

  • Fanateer Beach , Al Jubail
  • Half Moon Beach, Dhahran
  • Umluj Beach, Umluj


Landmarks

  • Lion Tombs of Dadan
  • Al Diwan
  • Abraj Al-Bait Towers
  • Hegra
  • Safa to Marwa
  • Station of Ibrahim
Sa'y between Safa to Marwa


Museums

  • Hejaz Railway Museum
  • Humane Heritage Museum
  • Al Madina Museum
  • Al Salam Museum
  • Jeddah Regional Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography
Al Madina Museum


Eat

Saudi Arabia serves an eye-catching and mouth-watering food culture, which has been influenced mainly by neighboring regions. It serves authentic Saudi food to the tourists with its incredible and flawless culinary skills and still manages to preoccupy the tastebuds of the locals residing in Riyadh Jeddah. A Variety of traditional dishes of Saudi Arabia quite similar to the cuisine of the Middle East found in the neighboring countries. Saudi Arabian food culture mostly follows this culinary code, but the government arguably claims a dish, which is kabsa.

  • Kabsa - The dish is a savory mixture of basmati rice cooked with various meats, veggies, and spices. Its beauty lies in its traditional process of combining ingredients that are cooked together in a pan, creating a sensual blend of flavors.
  • Tamees - the food linked with typical Afghan cuisine also serves as a staple food for Saudis. It is a flatbread traditionally baked in a tandoor. Tamees is consumed with many Saudi Arabian dishes; the popular stews served with tamees being full and adas flavored with cumin, garlic, etc.
  • Umm Ali - It is a traditional Egyptian dessert much like a bread pudding, but made with puff pastry without eggs. This dessert is a simple yet elegant mixture of flakes baked with milk, sugar, raisins, coconut, cinnamon, and almonds.
  • Dates - The country ranks fourth in the world for date production offers a variety of dates. Visitors can catch some tasty dates at any of the date farms open to tourists or local souks.
Kabsa


Drink

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, often regarded as the "Heaven for Food," sets out a wide variety of drinks, including some non-alcohol ones, which remain out of reach in all places under the sun except KSA. The drinks are:

  • Mirinda Citrus – Hamdiyat
  • Lemontia
  • Saudi Champagne
  • Rani pulp drinks
  • Shaani
  • Barbican
  • Sun Top and Sun Cola


Tap-water

Saudi Arabia is the largest producer of purified and desalinated water globally, pumps water from the Persian Gulf to its capital Riyadh, which is the country's heart. Water is supplied almost free of cost to all the residents of KSA. Desalinated water goes through different chemical processes to add certain minerals to the original salty water, making it safe to drink. The water outlet is 100% safe to drink. The main problem is with storage tanks in houses and buildings, having decaying drainage systems that are poorly maintained, but the real problem is these three complicated issues:- 1.Taste- The unpleasant taste is the problems associated with desalinated drinking tap water is one of the driving force for most of the people of the Kingdom to depend on the bottled water. Perception:- Another issue is with the perception of water quality, whether it's true or not. People find it unsafe to drink because of the taste of the water and the myths, and people perceive water as full of containment, and thus it makes it unsafe to drink. 3.Water tank and pipes:- In the neighborhood of Saudi Arabia people are much confident that water coming from tank and pipes are much safer than bottled water, but people living in the old building are to be concerned.


Activities

Popular leisure activities embrace horse or camel racing, adventure, and several recreation activities that serve as a requisite part of the Arabian lifestyle, including the famous festivals in Saudi Arabia, such as the Jenadriyah Annual Culture National Heritage Festival.

Scuba Diving, sailing, and golf are famous tourist choices. Saudi Arabia is home to a variety of animals and species, including the Arabian Oryx and a type of antelope native to the Arabian peninsula that roams freely, the gazelle's, the ibex, the bustard, and the swift Saluki hound all are part of Saudi's nature. There many camels in Saudi Arabia which have been used as a mean of transport for thousands of year. Saudi Arabia has taken major steps to preserve its native wild and marine life.


Accommodation

There are pleasing varieties of hotels throughout Saudi Arabia. Accommodation here is pretty comfortable to find, but the exception to this is the pilgrimage season when one has to make advanced reservations. There are fixed service charges: 15% - deluxe and top category inns, and 10%. Hotels usually charge double in the pilgrimage season in Mecca and Medina and during the summer months. It increases by 25% in the resort areas such as – Kamis Mushait, Abha, Taif, and Al – Abha.


Green Hotels

Usually, the least costly hotels are known as apart-hotels are rented out apartments per night. There are many mid-range hotels in the cities, including chains like Hilton and Marriot. There are also luxury hotels available in the largest cities if money doesn't bother your expensive self.


Hostels and Guest Houses

There are several hostels and guest houses located in Saudi Arabia.


Apartments

The most popular type of housing in Saudi Arabia is low-rise buildings. Apartment buildings between 4 and 8 floors are typically found across the country.


Couchsurfing

Saudi Arabia has a large Couchsurfing community. It is a beautiful way to learn more about its local culture.


Camping

Spending a few nights camping is a great way to save money. Some famous boot camps in Saudi Arabia are:

  • Falcon international camp
  • Moon Valley
  • Sabic Beach Camp


Regions

Cities

Getting There and Moving Around

This country located on the Arabian Peninsula has it's secret hidden deep in the religious cities and deserts which is still to be explored properly. You can travel all over the country and explore the unexplored with too much fun while knowing more about the diversity of this country that too without a permanent river belt. Majority of tourist mainly Muslim come over here for pilgrimage but another sort of tourism for travelers is also available after the management of Visa has become easier. 13 international airports serve as gateways to the country. As in other countries, it is also essential to comply with local religion, traditions, and laws. A useful piece of advice is that entering the country is impossible if your passport has an Israeli stamp. And don't forget that residents rarely see strangers in most parts of the country, so being careful when communicating with them is a good option.


Air

If you are flying to Saudi Arabia, you will probably end up scrambling to Riyadh or Jeddah. They have the largest airports and most international connections. A wide variety of domestic airports and transportation via flight is most convenient while traveling around this country. Domestic carriers are Saudia, Saudi Gulf Airlines, Flynas, Flyadeal. Saudi Arabia has made special efforts to expand its transport facilities to accommodate around two million Muslim pilgrims come to their Kingdom each year, and they also run extra flights during the Hajj so more tourist can visit the Kingdom.

King Khaled International Airport Riyadh


Bus

It might be formidable to do inter-country traveling by bus in the Gulf, but traveling via this transport between Saudi Arabia's cities would be pleasant. SAPTCO, which is the national bus company, maintains its stations in major cities. Routes are in plenty, and you will get affordable tickets, and the transport systems are clean and in a good state.

Buses in Jeddah


Train

Saudi Railways Organization operates the train system. The daily service in air-conditioned trains offers. First, second third-class cars that subside in similar seating comfort levels also provide food and beverage services. Children who are under four years of age can travel for free. Saudi's rail network is managed by the Saudi Railway Organization (SRO). There are existing plans to extend the railway to the Jubail Industrial City in its eastern end and eventually to Makkah, Jeddah, and Medina on its western side, and yet another extension would link Riyadh to the mining areas in the north.


Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is entirely possible in Saudi Arabia. The main problem with the ride here is that it is overheated most of the year, so pack plenty of water and get some sun protection. Saudi drivers are very crazy, so be careful and ask to be released if you are concerned about the way someone is driving. The Saudis are very hospitable - when I tried to hitch a ride around Abha, the guy who picked me up took me straight to my destination because he was worried about me.


Others

Other modes of transportation include Bicycles, Private cars, VIP Buses, and Jumbo. There is a local and most available type of transport. Renting bicycles can be very much conservative when it comes to money. Renting a car and driving around is the best way to get to know Saudi Arabia, in my opinion. Most sights are inaccessible without a car, and public transport within cities is mostly non-existent. When renting a car, you can visit wherever you want at your own pace. Gas in Saudi Arabia is very cheap (1.5 SAR / L during my visit), and car rental prices are very reasonable - usually around 100 to 120 SAR per day for a necessary automatic vehicle. Today the Kingdom has a modern transportation network of roads, railway, air, marine, and public transport. The country is also linked by a sophisticated communication network that is based on its economic growth and development.


Sustainable Shopping

Shopping in KSA is a favorite activity for locals, not just because of Saudis love for shopping but also for the best air ventilation and conditioning. Riyadh and Jedda being the best places to shop in Saudi Arabia that feature luxury malls, affordable malls, and local markets, where tourists can buy souvenirs which are famous for Saudi families accommodation on warm afternoons, as many malls have set up playgrounds, fun activity centers along with galleries and food courts.

5 Ways in which you can be sustainably fashionable in Saudi Arabia:

  • Limit our purchase, and we can buy things only that are needed
  • Try clothes swapping with friends periodically
  • Learn and explore ethical, sustainable fashion with your friends
  • Donate your old clothes to the poor
  • Learn how to knit, repair, or find a good and cheap tailor


Recycling

After being collected in Saudi Arabia, MSW is sent to landfills or dumps after some segregation works for recycling. Most of the collected waste goes to landfills without treatment. This is because of leaching problems, residual sludge, and methane and odor emissions occurring in unsanitary landfills and their surrounding areas. In many cities, the government is planning to build new sanitary landfills by methane capture and leachate facilities. Recycling of metals and cardboard is the main practice of recycling done in Saudi Arabia, which covers almost half the waste of the country. The recycling practice is usually carried by the informal sector. The recycled products are glass bottles, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, cardboard, paper, waste tire, etc. Depending on the area, available facilities, and involved stakeholders.


Waste

The possibilities for converting municipal waste into renewable energy are numerous. The choice depends on the type and quantity of waste, capital, operating costs, labor qualification requirements, final uses of products, geographic location, and social infrastructure. Various waste technologies for energy, like pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion, transesterification, gasification, incineration, fermentation, etc., have been developing. The conversion of waste into energy provides economical and environmentally friendly solutions to energy demand and disposing of MSW in Saudi Arabia. According to conservative estimates, an electric potential of 3 TWh per year can be generated if all food waste is used in biogas plants. Likewise, 1 and 1.6 TWh per year of electricity can be caused if all plastics and other mixture of scraps (i.e., paper, wood, textiles, cardboard, leather, etc.) from KSA are processed through pyrolysis and fuel derived from waste (RDF) technologies respectively. The volume of waste material in Saudi Arabia is rising at a very fast rate which also gives rise to social long-standing issues with the different classes of society, making it a very serious issue for the government of Saudi. Therefore, the Saudi government is finding a solution for providing chances of the management of waste by the Swiss companies present in the circle. The government aims to tackle the waste issue:- Backed by ambitious yet achievable overall targets for diverting waste away from landfill sites, the Saudi government is willing to manage waste in both the private and public sectors. Recycling, re-use, and energy recovery are still at an early stage, although they are getting immensely increased day by day.


Work and Study Abroad

A game-changer for students is to study abroad after they finish secondary school. Many agree with the fact that it is the best decision for a student's life. A person who wants to complete schooling and Study abroad is a traveler kind of person who wants to know new things and adventures. The middle-east has its heart in Saudi Arabia; it is bordered by many countries such as Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and Oman- and also is right near the Red Sea and the Gulf of Persia. The major Landforms consist of desert and palm trees located almost everywhere. Students might pursue a great interest in studying these middle east countries, mainly Saudi Arabia. The intriguing culture and tradition of Saudi Arabia invite youth from all over the world to come over and study. Several world-famous landmarks are Madian Saleh, the empty quarter, and most importantly Mecca. One can enjoy both scuba diving and snorkeling and harp over the crowded market of Arab filled with textures and colors. Few of the world delicious food that is introduced by this country is falafel, Shawarma, and Yogurt Sauce.


Exchange Student

Although it is a relatively new country, Saudi Arabia is a fascinating place to study abroad. After being founded in 1932, this new nation gained economic, religious, and political importance in the Middle East and throughout the world. As home to Mecca and Medina and an Arab-speaking country, Saudi Arabia is an excellent option for students who want to take courses in Islam or Arabic. Saudi Arabia is fabulous for students who love history and want to experience an eclectic mix of ancient and modern traditions.


Au Pair

If you are having difficulty keeping both your body and soul together, you can also work part-time in Saudi Arabia through online portals. One can find a suitable job for themselves after a quick search over the internet. According to your needs, there are quite a few options, be it part-time, full-time, babysitting, housekeeping, or personal assistants. Students or persons speaking multiple foreign languages have high chances of getting a job as a personal assistant.


Volunteering

Consider the rewarding volunteer opportunities, perfect for giving back to your community. In keeping with the Crown Prince's 2030 Vision goals, Saudi Arabia offers a multitude of ways to contribute to society. Make a note of these places, and don't hesitate to share more opportunities with us. If you are a parent, some of these opportunities are great for children and help them become more aware of the world around them. Happy serving those who need you!


See Also