Discover 10 Unforgettable Adventures in the Land of Firsts to Beat the Winter Blues and Kickstart 2025
INDIA: With the post-holiday glow fading, workloads piling up, and gloomy skies stretching endlessly overhead, it’s no surprise that January often feels like the longest, dreariest month of the year.
But who says the year must start on such a bleak note? This year, ditch the gloom and kickstart your 2025 under Saudi’s endless blue skies, discovering endless golden deserts soaked in history and culture, ancient wonders waiting around every corner, and a warm Arabian welcome promising to lift your spirits. Home to more than 10,000 archaeological sites and eight fascinating UNESCO World Heritage landmarks, Saudi – known as the Land of Firsts – offers the thrill of discovery at every turn. This is a nation in transformation, where a rich cultural past is meeting the energy of a dynamic future.
With direct flights from India to Riyadh and Jeddah taking just over six hours, it’s never been easier to swap grey skies for shimmering horizons. From wandering ruins to trekking pristine desert landscapes and indulging in cuisine steeped in centuries-old traditions, Saudi is ready to welcome you.
Here are ten unforgettable adventures to banish the Winter Blues and kickstart your 2025 in the Land of Firsts.
Unlock Hegra’s ancient secrets (AlUla)
At Hegra, Saudi’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, history is carved into the sandstone. The area’s tombs – more than a hundred in total – are masterpieces of Nabataean ingenuity adorned with intricate designs that tell the stories of ancient people who ruled the desert trade routes. The Tomb of Lihyan Son of Kuza, the site’s crown jewel, stands tall as a reminder that even 2,000 years ago, this land was at the crossroads of civilizations.
Visit Taif’s sweet-scented rose farms (Taif)
Known as the “City of Roses”, Taif is home to more than 2000 farms that produce the world-famous Taif rose — a bloom celebrated for its rich scent and quality. Even in the winter months, farmers tend to the lush green bushes that will later yield the pink blossoms used to make luxurious rose oil and perfumes. Visit one of the farms for an intimate look at the centuries-old production process and the artistry behind transforming these blooms into spectacular fragrances.
Wander through time in ‘Historic Jeddah’ (Jeddah)
Historic Jeddah – also known as Al-Balad – is a living, breathing slice of the past. Stroll through narrow lanes lined with coral-stone buildings, their wooden rawasheen balconies standing as a reminder of the city’s seafaring roots. Once a bustling port for pilgrims and traders, Historic Jeddah is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site that hums with life. Wander the souks, taste fresh bread from ancient bakeries, and lose yourself in the magic of a city that wears its history on its sleeve.
From the past into another dimension, head to TeamLab Borderless– an innovative concept directly from Japan to Jeddah. Located in ‘Historic Jeddah’, teamLab Borderless is no ordinary exhibition, it challenges your perception of reality. As you wander through this wonderland of light and color, you’ll find yourself immersed in a world where innovation meets tradition and imagination blends with reality. Digital waterfalls cascade down walls, intricate patterns bloom and scatter beneath your feet, and entire rooms transform into galaxies of floating lanterns. Each step brings a discovery as artworks communicate, influence, and intermingle with each other and their observers.
Walk among the clouds on Abha’s Fog Walkway (Abha)
When the fog rolls into the Aseer Mountains, the landscape transforms into something out of a dream. Abha’s Fog Walkway (Al-Dabab Walkway) – a seven-kilometer elevated path – takes you above it all, offering views of the Tihama plains that shift and shimmer with the dwindling light. Along the way, you’ll find seating areas perfect for taking in the scenery and spots where the mist feels close enough to touch.
Decipher ancient inscriptions at Jabal Ikmah (AlUla)
Instead of paper and ink, Jabal Ikmah’s stories are etched into the red rock cliffs, with hundreds of inscriptions in ancient languages chronicling everything from trade deals to royal decrees and snippets of everyday life. These carvings, dating back to the first millennium BCE, are a treasure trove for historians, but you don’t need a degree to feel and understand their impact.
Take a hike around the Wahbah Crater (Taif)
Perfect for a brisk January hike, this massive volcanic caldera, located in the Taif desert, stretches 3 kilometers wide and plunges 380 meters deep. At its base lies a gleaming salt flat that sparkles under the sun, surrounded by volcanic rocks and wild plants that thrive in the rainy season.
Stargaze like never before at Gharameel (AlUla)
By day, this surreal landscape of slender rock pillars feels like a scene from another planet. By night, it becomes one of the most pristine stargazing spots on Earth. Lay back on a traditional Bedouin rug, sip on cardamom-spiced coffee, and let the cosmos put on a show. A guide will point out constellations and share stories of the stars, but the real magic is in the silence — a stillness so complete, that you’ll sometimes feel like the only person in the universe.
Stand on the top of the world at Tuwaiq Mountains (Riyadh)
Perched on the edge of the sprawling Tuwaiq escarpment, witness some of Saudi’s most jaw-dropping views. This natural wonder, just a two-hour drive from Riyadh, features towering cliffs that stretch endlessly into the horizon. Best visited during the cooler January months, this iconic site is perfect for hiking, photography or simply soaking in nature.
Paddle through the Saudi Red Sea’s tangle of mangroves (Saudi Red Sea)
Glide through mangrove-lined rivers that weave their way across the islands of the Saudi Red Sea — a haven for marine life and vibrant bird species. Equipped with ocean kayaks, crystal kayaks, or vision boards, you’ll paddle over crystal-clear waters while getting up close to this fragile ecosystem. During the trip, learn more about the vital role mangroves play in sustaining marine biodiversity while spotting the nesting, feeding, and roosting sites of local birdlife.
Visit the mirage-like Maraya Concert Hall in the desert (AlUla)
Rising like a mirage in AlUla’s deserts, the Maraya Concert Hall is a feat of architectural brilliance. Officially the world’s largest mirrored building, its 9,740 square meters of glass reflect the wind-carved sandstone mountains that surround it, making the structure seem to vanish and reappear with the shifting light. After, visit the rooftop Maraya Social restaurant by acclaimed British chef Jason Atherton for sharing plates and top-quality mocktails.
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