There are so many exciting upcoming Saudi Arabia attractions to look forward to that it’s hard to know where to begin. You don’t need us to tell you that for residents and tourists alike there’s never been a more exciting time to be in the Kingdom. There’s so much going on in Saudi – festivals, hotel openings, huge projects, restaurant launches and more. So you don’t miss out on one thrilling thing, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to round up a quite frankly epic selection of attractions heading your way. These are the upcoming Saudi Arabia attractions that we can’t wait to explore.
AMAALA
One of the upcoming Saudi Arabia attractions is giga-project AMAALA that will generate new standards of luxury and wellness by introducing a more sustainable economy. The project will consist of 3,000 hotel rooms and will cover an area of 3,800 square kilometres. Construction of the first phase known as the Triple Bay masterplan has begun and will house eight hotels consisting of a total of 1,200 hotel keys with the full project set to finish in 2027.
Coming 2027. Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Natural Reserve, amaala.com.
Diriyah Gate
Another major gig-project added to the upcoming Saudi Arabia attractions is the Diriyah Gate project. The US$20billion development is set on promoting, preserving and growing a historical and cultural part of the Kingdom by implementing modern aspects thus expanding the tourism sector. The project will include museums, shopping, restaurants and hotels with one of the main openings, Bujairi Terrace, completed and open to the public as of December 2022.
Various timings and prices. Diriyah Gate, Diriyah, diriyah.sa.
Discovery Adventures
Adventure is coming in the form of a theme park and it’s looking like heaps of fun. Warner Bros. is scheduled to open the world’s first indoor Discovery Adventures centre in Riyadh. The 3,000 square metre centre will offer a variety of entertainment across ten zones and will also house cinemas, bowling alleys, karting tracks and more.
Coming soon. Al Hamra.
Jeddah Central Project
All set to become a globally-renowned destination in its own right, the SAR75 billion ($20 billion) project previously known as New Jeddah Downtown is going to add serious cultural clout to the city in the form of four key landmarks: an opera house, sports stadium, museum and oceanarium.
Upon final completion (phase one is expected to be finished by 2027), the Jeddah Central Project will cover some 5.7 million square metres, encompassing hotels, residential areas, beach resorts and a 500-berth marina, as well as restaurants, cafés and wide selection of retail outlets. Phew.
Opening 2027 (phase one). Jeddah, jeddahcentral.com.
Journey Through Time
Right in the heart of the ancient city of Hegra and among the upcoming Saudi Arabia attractions stands a Journey Through Time. The masterplan plans on capturing the deep-rooted essence of AlUla as an oasis of culture, heritage and community by creating timeless legacies from the past, present and future. The project will consist of five districts focused on various heritage sites and will be connected by a 20 kilometre green pedestrian spine and a 46 kilometre low-carbon tramline connecting to the five sites of AlUla International Airport. We can’t wait for this journey.
Coming 2035. AlUla.
King Salman Park
Expectations are high for what will be one of the largest urban parks in the world. Given everything we already know about the King Salman Park development it certainly won’t disappoint.
A dreamy green area in the Saudi capital, the sprawling space is expected to open in 2024 and promises to provide visitors and residents alike with unique cultural, sporting, artistic and nature-based experiences. From relaxing in the verdant, tree-lined open garden areas to exploring the Royal Arts Complex and the National Theatre, museums, pavilions and art galleries within it, to enjoying a round of golf, steeling nerves at the on-site skydive centre, hitting the aqua and amusement parks and more, there should be something for everyone here.
Opening 2024. Riyadh, kingsalmanpark.sa.
Pangeos
Ever heard of a turtle-shaped floating city? Well, now you have. The terayacht is swimming into the upcoming Saudi Arabia attractions and will be the biggest floating structure in the world capable of holding 60,000 people. It will measure a total of 610 metres and will have 19 villas and 64 apartments as well as a rooftop garden and a mall. The city will house a upper deck turtle shell acting as a landing base for flying vehicles. Are you feeling the turtle vibes?
Coming soon. lazzarinidesignstudio.com.
Nobu Restaurant and Hotels – Riyadh and Khobar
Super swish, unquestionably stylish and much-anticipated: the five-star Nobu Riyadh will finally fling open its polished doors later on this year with the signature restaurant relaunching at the same time (fans of miso black cod, rejoice). Expect top-class amenities and swanky, artfully conceived rooms and suites from the 23-storey, glass-fronted skyscraper.
It’s not all about the capital, though; the global lifestyle brand is going to make its mark in Khobar too, with plans in place to open a Nobu restaurant, residences and hotel in the increasingly cosmopolitan coastal city by 2024.
Opening 2022 (Riyadh), Al Khboar (2024). nobuhotels.com.
New Murabba
New Murabba will be the world’s largest modern town upon its completion in 2030. The massive Riyadh development will be able to fit over 20 Empire State Buildings in its area in the northwest of Riyadh. Easily accessible shopping, 80 cultural and entertainment venues, hotels and a new first-of-its-kind landmark called The Mukaab are part of New Murabba’s plans. The new area will also provide housing to hundreds of thousands of residents who will be able to enjoy all the amenities easily with a new transport network, and most things being within a 15-minute walking radius.
Coming 2030. New Murabba, pif.gov.sa.
OXAGON
Known as the business hub of NEOM, OXAGON is on the list of upcoming Saudi Arabia attractions that we can’t wait to check out. The futuristic and ambitious project will be the largest floating structure in the world and will host a total of 90,000 residents with the aim of creating 70,000 jobs by 2030. It will also run on clean energy and will be a place for innovators, entrepreneurs and sustainability. Also, the first hotel to open in the city, YOTEL, was recently announced for an opening in 2025 and will have a robotic concierge to welcome guests. Talk about beyond imagination.
Opening 2025. neom.com.
Project Sama
On course to change perceptions of cruise-style holidays forevermore, the “first of its kind” 183-metre luxury motor yacht currently known as Project Sama has been developed by high-end hotel brand Aman in conjunction with Cruise Saudi.
When the super yacht makes its maiden voyage in 2025 it will do so with precious cargo on board: 50 plush suites complete with private balconies, a signature Aman spa, tranquil Japanese garden, various all-day dining options and upmarket restaurant experiences, two helipads and an exclusive beach club with direct access to the sea. VIP voyages here we come.
Coming 2025. aman.com/project-sama.
Qiddiya Water Theme Park
Saudi is getting its first waterpark and it’s going to be a twisting, turning, splashing fantastic one. The family-friendly record-breaker will feature 22 rides and slides (nine “world firsts” included) spread over nine animal-themed zones, as well as a fully equipped water sports facility complete with surfable wave machine, beach area and host of restaurants for refuelling post aqua-based action. We can’t wait.
Coming soon. Qiddiya, qiddiya.com.
SEVEN
Saudi Entertainment Ventures also known as SEVEN is a new entertainment development headed to Tabuk. The first phases of construction are underway and will cover 72,500 square metres of built-up area on 40,000 square metres of land. It will bring together traditions and local artworks and a variety of fun activities to indulge in with family and friends.
Coming soon. seven.sa.
Sindalah Island
Opening as soon as 2024, Sindalah Island will be located in no other than NEOM and will have over 40 restaurants, three hotels, a yacht club, and a beach club across 840,000 square metres. It will also house 86 piers and over 50 luxury brands. The island with house a mix of hotel rooms and serviced apartments as well as a spa to relax at. The island aims to become a yachting hub with over 75 offshore buoys and activities such as snorkeling, kayaking and scuba diving. Get ready to dive in.
Opening 2024. NEOM. neom.com.
Six Flags Qiddiya
Six Flags Qiddiya is revving up to take theme park experiences in KSA to a whole new, adrenaline-fuelled level. Located around 40 minutes outside of Riyadh and set against the Tuwaiq mountain range, the vast park (we’re talking larger than Florida’s Walt Disney World) will boast six themed lands and 28 exclusive rides and attractions, including Falcon’s Flight the fear-inducing, gravity-defying, fastest, tallest and longest roller coaster on the planet. Are you ready for a ride?
Coming soon. Qiddiya, qiddiya.com.
Sharaan by Jean Nouvel
AlUla, is already making quite the name for itself as the tourism destination of the moment and the 2023 opening of Sharaan by Jean Nouvel within the Sharaan Nature Reserve is likely to send interest levels skyrocketing further.
Concepted by internationally renowned French architect Jean Nouvel, the hotel will pay stunning homage to ancient Nabataean ways of living, while still delivering an entirely luxe experience. Initial designs and renderings have been described as “world-firsts in contextual architecture”, with the hotel building itself carved into the magnificent age-old sandstone landscape and intended to take guests on an immersive and emotive journey through time. In short, this is no ordinary hotel.
Opening 2023. AlUla, experiencealula.com.
teamLab Borderless
Slated to open in 2023 on the edge of the Al Arbaeen Lagoon, teamLab Borderless Jeddah promises to bring a whole new cultural experience to the region. The sprawling “museum without a map” will include over 50 experimental and interactive digital artworks centred around the theme of borderless, as well as a specially created, unique-to-Jeddah installation. Clear space on your phone now for this Instagrammable upcoming Saudi Arabia attraction.
Opening 2023. Al Arbaeen Lagoon, Jeddah, teamlab.art/e/borderless_jeddah.
THE LINE
Are you ready for the city of the future? THE LINE NEOM is a vertical city, making it one of the exciting upcoming Saudi Arabia attractions in our books. (Just look at the futuristic designs.) “THE LINE” part of the development will be 200 metres wide, 170 kilometres long and 500 metres above sea level. The city inside will function on 100 percent renewable energy, and aims to preserve 95 percent of NEOM’s land. There will be no card or roads; residents will be able to take a high-speed train across the city in just 20 minutes.
NEOM.
The Red Sea Project
Staggeringly impressive in size, scope and sustainability-led ambition, The Red Sea Project is one of the most progressive regeneration schemes the world has ever seen.
Encompassing private islands, mountain ranges, archaeological wonders and desert landscapes, the tourism development will set the standard for barefoot, eco-chic luxury in the Middle East, welcoming a clutch of iconic, world-renowned hotel brands – Six Senses, The EDITION, St. Regis, Hyatt and Fairmont to name a few – along the way.
The countdown to completion of phase one which includes 16 hotels as well as a championship golf course, marina, leisure and entertainment facilities and The Red Sea International Airport is well underway, with the end date of 2023 firmly in sight.
Opening 2023. Red Sea, theredsea.sa.
The Rig
For a tourism attraction less ordinary, it doesn’t much more unconventional than an oil rig. Yep, you read that right: forget about tropical beachside getaways, when The Rig opens off Saudi’s east coast it’s going to be the place to visit – for the adventurous of spirit at least.
While further plans are yet to be revealed, so far we know that the offshore multistorey waterscape will feature three hotels, eleven restaurants and extreme activities galore – board, base and bungee jumping included.
In keeping with the general vibe of the place, guests will arrive by ferry, chartered boat, yacht or helicopter. Meet you at the helipad…
Coming soon. Arabian Gulf, therig.sa.
TROJENA
The snow-capped, purpose-built mountain destination of the near future. TROJENA was revealed as a key part of the $500 billion NEOM masterplan earlier this year, sending winter sports fans into a frenzy.
Set to open in 2026, Trojena will provide year-round skiing, snowboarding and ice-skating opportunities, as well as dramatic views, al fresco adventures and après-ski aplenty. Even those that aren’t keen on hitting the slopes will likely find much to do here thanks to the yoga retreats, fashion weeks, art fairs and food and music festivals planned for various points in the year.
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