Saudi Arabia is a holy land for Muslims from all over the world who want to visit the kingdom either to perform Umrah or Hajj and wish to get closer to Allah. As Saudi Arabia is a home of pilgrimage cities including Makkah and Madinah, it’s the top attraction in the wish list of Muslims that cheap Umrah packages tend to make happen within budget.
However, Saudi Arabia is not all about performing Umrah or Hajj rituals rather it also has a lot waiting to be explored and visited. Whether you want to experience nature closely or are interested in learning about Arab history, you’ll find everything you want to explore.
So, today’s blog post is all about exploring the least-known tourist attractions of Saudi Arabia to enhance your pilgrimage trip within your budget. So, let’s explore.
Discovering Hidden Gems in Saudi Arabia
With cheap Umrah packages, it’s easier to save some extra cash and have fun at one of the peaceful places in Saudi Arabia as part of the pilgrimage. The holy land of Saudi Arabia is full of religious sites, cultural districts, heritage collections, natural scenery, and spiritual landmarks.
However, it’s great to visit the places in proximity to Makkah and Madinah to save time and transportation expenses all in one place.
Budget-conscious pilgrims with the 7 Nights 3 star Umrah package can also extend their pilgrimage to one of the nearby locations to Makkah and Madinah with fellow pilgrims to get the most out of their trip within budget.
Besides budget preferences, it’s also important to consider your interests whether you want to spend quality time at a peaceful place or have fun activities in nature all the way. To simplify your planning, here’s how we make a list of the most popular places to visit during the pilgrimage as per your preferences and budget.
- Al Ula
Al Ula is an ancient city in Saudi Arabia having not only historical sites but also a glimpse of nature all in one place. The place was home to the Nabataean civilization that now has become part of the UNESCO world heritage. Besides learning about the history of the region, pilgrims can also observe the process of rock formations under the clean clear sky that seems out of the world.
Though not closer to Makkah and Madinah, a day trip to Al Ula is worth its hype and you can get there by railway trains within budget.
- Red Sea Coastline
The land of Saudi Arabia is also famous for its Red Sea coastline which attracts visitors from all over the world. Pilgrims can also extend their pilgrimage by visiting the Red Sea coastline in Yanbu city or Jeddah, the main port of the kingdom for trading as well as boarding visitors.
What’s the best part is its proximity to the pilgrimage cities that you can get there by road easily. In addition to gazing at the crystal-clear water of the sea, it’s a great place to experience water activities and spot wildlife.
- Asir Mountains
Saudi Arabia is also home to hilly adventure offering insights into the giant mountain and rising cliffs to explore. Asir Mountains are one of the least visited mountain areas in Saudi Arabia having peaceful surroundings and eye-catching views of diverse landscapes across the sight.
However, the place is not closer to Makkah and Madinah and you’ve to plan a special trip to Asir Mountains either with fellow pilgrims or family members. Similarly, it’s not a good option to visit for pilgrims with the 7 Nights 3 star Umrah package, yet pilgrims with luxury cheap Umrah packages can always arrange a custom tour to the Asir Mountains and live the journey.
- Traditional Marketplaces
Shopping is an important part of the pilgrimage whether you are on a budget or want to save some extra cash, you can’t deny shopping at one of the traditional marketplaces in Saudi Arabia known as Souks.
The marketplaces are full of organic produces, handmade products, and high-quality items to buy at affordable prices. The most common Souks in Saudi Arabia are gold Souks, date Souks, and spice Souks and the availability is what makes these traditional open-air shopping places unique.
Jeddah and riyadh are home to the biggest Souks of Saudi Arabia, yet you can access many in your surroundings whether in Makkah or Madinah.
In addition to these special places, pilgrims can also go to the Farasan Islands, Al Namas, Al Qassim, Al Ahsa, and Al Balad to enhance their pilgrimage within budget. However, it’s great to plan ahead about what to visit as part of the Umrah journey according to the time available and budget resources on the way.
