Major Cities of Saudi Arabia, Their Significance, & More

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is home to hundreds of cities and towns. Most of them have religious, cultural, and historical importance. For instance, Mecca and Medina are here – one of the holiest cities in the whole world. Muslims go to these both to perform Hajj & Umrah (pilgrimage) every year. Apart from this, there are many other cities and towns that tourists and pilgrims visit to pay their respects. This blog is your guide to the major cities of KSA. Are you a citizen? A pilgrim? Or just an explorer? Whoever, you are GEAR UP because you are about to set off on a short tour!!!

Your Guide to the Major Cities of Saudi Arabia

Undoubtedly, the cities of KSA form a mosaic of rich culture, history, and religious importance. From the metropolitan of Jeddah to its capital Riyadh, every city is significant enough to explore. Keep reading to find out about the top cities of the kingdom and what they have to offer.

1. Riyadh

You should know that Riyadh is the capital and the largest city of Saudi Arabia. In fact, it is the largest city in the Arabian Peninsula, covering 600 meters (2,000 ft) area in total. You should know that it’s also the capital of Province Riyadh. As for location, it is in the center of An-Nafud desert. Moreover, it is the political, economic, and cultural hub of KSA. Besides, it boasts so many banks and workplaces, contributing to the GDP big-time. Another thing Riyadh is popular for is its skyline. After all, it’s home to iconic structures such as the Kingdom Centre, Riyadh TV Tower and Burj Rafal. And this is not all! It is also home to several important archeological sites like Masmak fortress and Turaif District.

Also, it is the most populous city of Saudi Arabia with around 7 million people. As for climate, you should expect hot summers and mild winters, with limited rainfall here. More importantly, Riyadh has been a host to several big sports and entertainment events.

Recent Events in Riyadh!
Elie Saab Riyadh Season was the recent talk of the town – the world actually – because of its massive success. The show had an amazing list of performers, including Camila Cabello, JLo, and Celine Dion.

2. Jeddah

Another one of the major cities of Saudi Arabia is Jeddah. You should know that it’s the second largest city in the kingdom and the capital of Mecca province. Besides, it’s on the western coast along the Red Sea and serves as a major gateway for pilgrims travelling to Mecca city. A fun fact about Jeddah: it has a diverse atmosphere. Yes, that’s right! Most people think of Saudi cities as conservative lands. But this is not true. In fact, it’s a cosmopolitan with an expatriate community.

You should know that Jeddah has a population of more than 3.7 million people. Talking about the climate, it’s warm with little or no rain and has mild winters. Furthermore, in summer, the temperature can exceed over 40°C (104°F). Must-visit sights in Jeddah include:

• Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum
• King Fahd’s Fountain
• Al-Rahman Mosque
• King Abdullah Sports City
• King Saud Mosque

3. Mecca

Mecca or مكة المكرمة is the holiest city in Islam. This city is located in the narrow valley 277 meters above sea level, about 70 km inland from Jeddah on the Red Sea. What makes the city so magnificent is its historical and religious significance. Moreover, Mecca is home to the Masjid al-Haram, which houses the Holy Ka’bah (built by Hazrat Ibrahim A.S. and Hazrat Ismael A.S). Millions of Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca to perform Hajj (pilgrimage) every year. Apart from Hajj, Muslims visit the city all year round to perform Umrah. And Mecca is the birthplace of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.). There are enough reasons why you should and must visit Mecca. Moreover, it’s a metropolitan city with more than 2.4 million population. Moreover, it attracts a large number of foreigners – both tourists and pilgrims – every year.

Visitors in Mecca!
According to Wikipedia, Mecca’s population is 44.5% Saudi citizens and 55.5% Muslims foreigners.

4. Medina 

Medina or المدينة المنورة is the second holiest city of KSA. It was previously known as Yathrib and became significant when Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) migrated here in 622 AD. The city holds great importance in Islamic history because of this reason. Moreover, Medina became the capital of the first Muslim state and a center for Islamic teachings. Also, there are so many important religious landmarks here, including:

• Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi)
• Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.)’S tomb
• Quba Mosque

Medina’s population is around 1.4 million with a diverse mix of Saudi citizens and Muslim foreigners. Anyway, you should know that the city is also known for its agricultural products, including dates. Additionally, it has contributed to the economy by supporting religious tourism. Further, Medina has a hot desert climate with extremely high summer temperatures. 

5. Dammam

Dammam is the capital of the Eastern Province and it’s located in eastern Saudi Arabia. Let’s talk about its location now. You should know that Damman is on the Persian Gulf; therefore, it’s a significant port city and a hub for the oil industry. This is also because the city is near King Abdul Aziz Sea Port, the largest in the Gulf region. And it’s the fourth most populous city with approximately 1.5 million people here. 

Significance of Dammam
Dammam is part of the Greater Dammam metropolitan area, which includes Dhahran and Khobar.

You should also know that Dammam is well-connected with King Fahd International Airport. What’s more, it has many attractions you should visit like parks, museums, and shopping centers. Furthermore, its climate features extremely hot summers and mild winters. And the best months to come here are October to April – the weather is pleasant during this time.

6. Tabuk

Tabuk is the capital of the Tabuk Region in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The city is quite popular because of its date palm groves and historical significance. Moreover, it’s been a key station on the Hejaz railway. The largest air force base in Saudi Arabia is also in Tabuk. Other than this, the city is home to various notable archaeological sites, including Tabuk Castle, which dates back to around 3500 BCE. You’ll also find many antiquities here with petroglyphs and inscriptions from various historical periods. It’s also the gateway to North Arabia.

As of the latest information, Tabuk has a population of around 594,350 people. You should also know that this city has a history of warfare too. Plus, it recorded significant military activity, especially during the Gulf War 1991.

7. Taif

Also known as “city of roses”, Taif is a city and governorate of the Province Mecca. Moreover, it is situated at an elevation of 1,879 meters in the Hejaz Mountains. Many consider it as an unofficial summer capital due to its pleasant climate and beautiful surroundings. It’s an agriculture rich city famous for its grapes, pomegranates, and roses. Besides, Taif roses are the highlight of this region. Plus, they are being actively used to make attars. Taif has so many architectural and historic attractions, including Souk ‘Okaz, Al-Hada resort, Taif University as well as Taif International Airport. Moreover, the city has a population of around 563,000.

Taif Events!
The city hosts the Taif Season festival – the cultural highlight of this region.

Other Important Cities of Saudi Arabia

Apart from the major cities mentioned above , there are several other important regions too. You should know that these too contribute to KSA’s development, tourism, and cultural heritage. For instance, the planned King Abdullah Economic City offers a more progressive environment to citizens and visitors. On the other hand, Abha is a city famous for its rugged mountains Well, here is a list of some more important cities of Saudi Arabia:

Conclusion

Whether you live in Saudi Arabia or are planning to visit it, this guide is for you. After all, it covers the major, must-visit cities of the kingdom. Besides, we have also provided essential info on the history, population, must-visit landscapes, and more about these cities. So, take this guide as your checklist to what places you should visit in this country. Many Muslims come to the country during Hajj & Umrah. Most of the time, pilgrims have to explore the place after performing religious obligations. Don’t know where to start; don’t worry! This blog covers the whole itinerary for you.