EDITION VII — SPRING
Mirage & Meridian
TRAVEL DOSSIER // KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
// HERITAGE  ·  EN

Seven UNESCO sites. Seven proofs that history here is not an exhibit but ground.

EN  ·  2026-04-19  ·  EDITION VII — SPRING

HERITAGE

Seven UNESCO sites
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CODE / H-01

Seven UNESCO sites

TYPEThe list — in brief FOUNDED2008 – 2023 LOCATIONFrom Hegra to Al-Ahsa oasis BEST TIMESweep all in 14 days STATUSUNESCO
BY THE NUMBERS · 7 sites · first inscribed 2008

Hegra (2008), At-Turaif in Diriyah (2010), Historic Jeddah Al-Balad (2014), Hail petroglyphs (2015), Al-Ahsa oasis (2018), Hima Cultural Area (2021), ʿUruq Bani Maʿarid (2023). The most accessible pair: Diriyah and Al-Balad within a single domestic flight.

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Riyadh Season festival
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Riyadh Season festival

TYPECultural super-festival FOUNDED2019 LOCATIONRiyadh, Boulevard + Wonder Garden BEST TIMEOctober – March STATUSOpen
BY THE NUMBERS · 15 million visitors · 300+ events · $4 bn budget

In five months the capital hosts more concerts, matches and art events than Paris in a year. Eminem, BTS, Bocelli, Tyson vs Paul have all played. Single QR entry via Visit Saudi; some zones are 18+, others family-only. Transport: Uber / taxi apps only — the metro opens in 2024–2025.