Arab States
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Saudi Arabia
Saudi World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Saudi Arabia map · historical landmarks in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has 8 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 7 cultural and 1 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 2008 and 2024. This map of UNESCO sites in Saudi Arabia covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
Saudi World Heritage Sites range from ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid onwards; Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) was the country's first inscription, added in 2008; The Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area is the most recent, listed in 2024; recurring threads across the list include ancient civilizations and wild places.
Start with ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid, Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape and At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 8
- Cultural
- 7
- Natural
- 1
- First inscribed
- 2008
Sites on the map
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- WAEWadi Al Dawasir2 sites
- HOFHofuf1 site
- RUHRiyadh1 site
- ULHAl-Ula1 site
- EAMNajran1 site
- JEDJeddah1 site
Keep exploring
All 8 sites in Saudi Arabia
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Saudi Arabia
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Uruq Bani Ma’aridThe property encompasses the western part of the greatest expanse of windblown sand on Earth, known as Ar Rub'. | 2023 | Natural | The property encompasses the western part of the greatest expanse of windblown sand on Earth, known as Ar Rub'. |
| Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural LandscapeIn the eastern Arabian Peninsula, the Al-Ahsa Oasis is a serial property comprising gardens, canals, springs, wells and. | 2018 | Cultural | In the eastern Arabian Peninsula, the Al-Ahsa Oasis is a serial property comprising gardens, canals, springs, wells and. |
| At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyahThis property was the first capital of the Saudi Dynasty, in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, north-west of Riyadh. | 2010 | Cultural | This property was the first capital of the Saudi Dynasty, in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, north-west of Riyadh. |
| Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ)The Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) is the first World Heritage property to be inscribed in Saudi. | 2008 | Cultural | The Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) is the first World Heritage property to be inscribed in Saudi. |
| Ḥimā Cultural AreaLocated in an arid, mountainous area of southwest Saudi Arabia, on one of the Arabian Peninsula’s ancient cara. | 2021 | Cultural | Located in an arid, mountainous area of southwest Saudi Arabia, on one of the Arabian Peninsula’s ancient cara. |
| Historic Jeddah, the Gate to MakkahHistoric Jeddah is situated on the eastern shore of the Red Sea. | 2014 | Cultural | Historic Jeddah is situated on the eastern shore of the Red Sea. |
| Rock Art in the Hail Region of Saudi ArabiaThis property includes two components situated in a desert landscape: Jabel Umm Sinman at Jubbah and the Jabal. | 2015 | Cultural | This property includes two components situated in a desert landscape: Jabel Umm Sinman at Jubbah and the Jabal. |
| The Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological AreaLying at a strategic point of the ancient trade routes of the Arabian Peninsula, the property was abruptly aba. | 2024 | Cultural | Lying at a strategic point of the ancient trade routes of the Arabian Peninsula, the property was abruptly aba. |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Saudi Arabia
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia has 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 7 cultural and 1 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia?
- Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) was inscribed in 2008. The Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) is the first World Heritage property to be inscribed in Saudi.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia?
- The Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area, inscribed in 2024. Lying at a strategic point of the ancient trade routes of the Arabian Peninsula, the property was abruptly aba.
- Which sites in Saudi Arabia are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 1 of the 8 listings is natural: ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid.
- Which UNESCO sites in Saudi Arabia are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Saudi Arabia.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Saudi Arabia?
- The 8 UNESCO-listed sites above are Saudi Arabia's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) (2008). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of Saudi World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 8 Saudi UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.