The fascinating character of the Saudi Arabian Peninsula — and the treasure trove of things to do in Saudi Arabia — lie in the region’s juxtaposition of old and new, cities and landscapes, seas and deserts. Modern skylines exist not too far away from UNESCO World Heritage sites, while sun-soaked red canyons offer a stark contrast to the abundant marine life that flourishes beneath the waves of the Red Sea.

It’s also one of a few places on earth that has not been open to western travelers — until now.

Stefan Kredel, Senior Director Expedition Development and Operations, enjoyed travel to Saudi Arabia as part of an effort to look for new expedition itineraries, and says that the Arabian Peninsula was always one of the targets that Silversea wanted to develop. “I was fortunate enough to be in Saudi Arabia to look at the itinerary we were offering in 2023,” he says.

There’s more, Kredel says. “Saudi Arabia is a very modern country — there is a lot of infrastructure and big modern cities — but on the other side, people still live with their customs and traditions. It’s a very fascinating country. There are a lot of places to discover.”

“The natural attraction of Saudi Arabia is not only the desert,” he adds. “Obviously the Red Sea is a brilliant underwater world well known for snorkeling and diving. From the coastline, if you go a little bit inland, there are [also] mountain regions and canyons.”

Don’t miss these sites

Excursions here serve up rare opportunities — to see, up close, the fascinating things to do in Saudi Arabia. The crowning glory, no doubt, is the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Hegra, which one can experience on a full-day trip to see the sights of Al Ula. Archeology fans will be in their element here, as Al Ula is thought of as an intersection of civilizations, giving visitors a glimpse into history as well as Nabataean tombs carved into red rock.

Jabal al Banat, for instance, is known as the biggest group of tombs in Hegra, with 29 burial chambers that have cut veneers on all sides of the sandstone rock, while Jabal al Ahmar boasts 18 tombs, some just recently excavated. Such travel to Saudi Arabia — really, a once-in-a-lifetime trip — offers the chance to absorb how the ancients lived.

In Yanbu — a city of palms with a long-held historic connection to the spice trade route in the Red Sea — travelers can enjoy the city’s other best feature, its crystal clear waters. Affectionately known by scuba divers as “The Pearl of the Red Sea” for its numerous underwater gems, Yanbu is perfect for snorkelers. Take a boat ride during a snorkeling excursion to Iona Coral Reef and you can swim among vibrant fish, corals and the Iona shipwreck that is now teeming with ocean life.

Ready to travel to Saudi Arabia yourself? Start by browsing these Silversea cruises to Saudi Arabia as well as cruises to Africa and the Indian Ocean, then learn more about the region, including the ancient wonders of Al Ula.