SOTC Blog

Saudi is a vast mass of unique and beautiful deserts. A lot of people while visiting this country wonder if it’s okay to go see only few of the deserts and then do other fun things. We really hope you are not one of them.

Travelling to Saudi and stopping by only one Saudi desert would be a huge mistake. Just as no two snowflakes are alike, deserts in Saudi are very different from each other. Each has its own unique flavour, its own soul.

You don’t have to believe us, just read this post on the 5 gorgeous deserts in Saudi and we promise you that by the end of it, you will want to stuff your world in a suitcase and relocate to the serene dunes of Saudi.

5 Deserts in Saudi That One Must Visit

There are numerous types of dunes that you get to see when in Saudi. However, what makes the Saudi desert area so unique is not only the deserts and the sands, but the breath-taking surroundings. Each desert has an Instagrammable backdrop, if we may call it that.

Here are the top 5 Saudi deserts that you HAVE to stop by:

1. Rub Al-Khali – the biggest desert in Saudi

The first gorgeous posy of sand dunes on this list has got to be the biggest dessert in Saudi, Rub Al-Khali. In fact, as a continuous expanse of sand, it is the largest in the whole world.

Also known as The Empty Quarter, the biggest desert in Saudi has dunes touching a height of 250 metres. What’s spectacular about Rub Al-Khali is that it covers a quarter of Saudi’s surface area, which means it showcases a variety of landscapes for you to capture.

2. Al-Dahna Desert – a bend of red

Located right at the heart of Saudi, the Ad-Dahna Desert is a marvel that cuts through the country dividing it into two halves. Between two major deserts in Saudi, namely Al-Nafud and Rub Al-Khali, this mighty desert is criss-crossed by routes that bring Riyadh in touch with Kuwait.

The ruddiness of this gorgeous and sprawling desert makes it a beautiful experience for you to traverse and watch the sun set into it, leaving you with goose bumps.

3. Al Araqana Desert – an expanse hiding fossils

The Al Araqana Desert, located east of Tabuk is a popular Saudi desert area because of the fossils concealed in its tiers of sand.

But fossil hunting is not the only thing this Saudi desert has to offer. If you are an adventurous soul and have been wanting to try dune bashing for quite some time now, then the Al Araqana Desert in Medina should be on your list of places to visit.

4. Al Nufud Al Kabir – the wind’s favourite dune-scape

Al Nufud Al Kabir, staying true to its name is the largest and well-known dune field in Saudi and the perfect spot for a desert-cation. With sands that look plated with gold, this desert is nothing short of a charmer. The crescent-shaped sand dunes of this mighty desert often shift shape as the wind cuts through them rather ruthlessly on some days. Much like love, the desert is a stunner, but difficult to pass through.

5. Jubbah Desert – a rocky affair

The desert of Saudi that offers you an experience like no other is the Jubbah Desert located in Hail, north-west Saudi.

Imagine walking into a rocky gorge, but instead of a stream, sand flows through the narrow valley. You can quite visualise the spectacle! Hiking is one of the most popular activities in the Jubbah Desert, one that you must try on your next visit.

We are certain that all of these deserts and their alluring charms are calling out to you, and you cannot wait to hop on to the next flight to Saudi. However, before you do that, let us quickly tell you about a few things you should keep in mind before exploring deserts in Saudi.

First thing to remember is carrying flip flops instead of closed shoes. You might have already guessed the reason, but let us tell you, nonetheless. A walk through the dunes means sand getting into your shoes every now and then. While flip flops are easy to take off and dust, shoes aren’t. You will be saving yourself loads of hassle and your friends a lot of time by choosing flip flops.

The next thing would be carrying a sun block for your face. While you can wear clothes that cover skin to protect you from the harmful rays of the sun, your face on the other hand, will receive the onslaught. To avoid this, carry a sunscreen with good SPF and additionally a desert hat. Also have a sunglass on you to safeguard your eyes from the heat as well as sand in case of a storm.

Finally, in your bag, make enough space for a bottle of water per person, some facial water, and facial tissues. With all of this handy and your enthusiasm touching the zenith, you are prepared for a mesmerising holiday in the desert in Saudi.