Winter Tourism in Saudi Arabia

Winter Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia encompasses a variety of entertainment events and tourism activities held in cities and provinces across the Kingdom during the winter season. It aims to introduce visitors from within and outside the Kingdom to its rich heritage and cultural landmarks while taking advantage of the country’s diverse climate and landscapes. The initiative also seeks to create economic and investment resources to support local communities and create jobs, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Winter tourism destinations are spread across the Kingdom, from the capital Riyadh City and Historic ad-Dir'iyyah to cities like Tabuk, al-Jawf, and Hail, as well as al-Ula, the Northern Borders Province, and the eastern cities of Dammam, al-Khubar, and al-Ahsa. In the west, tourists can explore Jeddah, King Abdullah Economic City, Yanbu, and Ummlujj, and in the southwest, the highlands route leads through Taif, al-Bahah, Aseer, and Jazan.

 On December 10, 2020, the Saudi Tourism Authority launched the Saudi Winter Season under the slogan "Winter Is Around You," which ran until the end of March 2021. The season featured over seventeen tourist destinations across the Kingdom. It offered more than three hundred tourism experiences and packages, along with a range of deals to discover the Kingdom’s diverse geography and climates during the winter season. Visitors could enjoy mild, pleasant weather to cold conditions, and engage in a wide array of tourism packages, activities, and experiences for all segments of society.

On November 23, 2022, the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, announced more than twenty distinctive cultural events across heritage and historical sites as part of the Saudi Winter Season. Those events included visits to al-Masmak Palace, "The Line" exhibition, "Time, Nature, and Love" exhibition, Saudi Coffee exhibition, Superfly events, and tours of various heritage villages and archaeological sites such as al-Qaisariah Market, Bait al-Bayah, the Amiri School, Jabal al-Arba’a, safari experiences, al-Dalilah Camp, ad-Dir'iyyah Season, and Jabal al-Qarah in al-Ahsa. In Jeddah, visitors could enjoy the "Balad Beast" event, held across five musical stages featuring national and international artists.

Part of the Kingdom’s winter tourism activities is the Winter at Tantora Festival, the first cultural music festival in the Kingdom, held in al-Ula Heritage City in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah Province northwest of the Kingdom. The festival offers a variety of artistic, cultural, and entertainment events such as the Heritage Oasis Trail, hot air balloon rides, Wadi Ashar fashion displays, musical performances at Maraya Concert Hall, al-Ula Music Center, and sports events like al-Ula Camel Cup, al-Ula Youth Camp, and al-Hijr Night.

Tourists and visitors can access information about winter tourism in the Kingdom and other year-round events through the "Visit Saudi" platform, available in eight languages. A care center was allocated for tourists and can be dialed at 930, operating 24/7.

The Kingdom has made it easier for citizens of sixty-six countries to obtain an electronic tourist visa, and residents of the GCC countries may also apply for the visa online. Additionally, residents of the European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom, as well as holders of one of their visas, may obtain a tourist visa upon arrival.

International travelers flying with Saudi carriers can stop in the Kingdom for up to ninety-six hours, by adding a stopover at one of the Kingdom's airports before reaching their final destination. This decision, announced on January 30, 2023, enhances the Kingdom's tourism strategy of attracting 150 million visits annually by 2030.