Saudi Arabia

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the true centers of the Arab world, and home to Islam’s most sanctified cities: Mecca and Medina. Though it’s an exceedingly difficult place to visit given the heavy restrictions on entry—and it’s worth noting that the country’s religious conservatism can be challenging to navigate as a tourist. The suitably motivated traveler, though, can marvel at some spectacular archaeological and religious sites, as well as the stunning topography of the Arabian Peninsula.

If you’re not Muslim, you can’t enter the holy centers of Mecca (where the prophet Muhammad was born) or Medina (where he’s buried), but there are many other destinations of shimmering historical and spiritual significance. These include the ornate rock-carved Nabatean tombs of Madain Saleh, which summons comparisons to Jordan’s Petra; the caravan-city ruins of Al-Faw; Masmak Fortress in the capital of Riyadh; and the Najran Fort. Living culture, meantime, is fully on display at traditional-style markets such as Jeddah’s Souq al-Alawi.

And though it may not be widely known as a scenic hotspot, there’s real beauty in Saudi Arabia’s landscape—nowhere more so than the Empty Quarter: The wild, dune-crested heart of the Arabian Peninsula. Crisscrossed by nomads and caravans over many centuries, this remains a sublime desert wilderness of otherworldly vistas.

Saudi Arabia’s a head-spinning place for any Westerner. You have to work to get here, and once inside the rigid cultural etiquette can trip you up left and right. But it’s good to get outside your zone of comfort, and experiencing Saudi Arabia’s sumptuous heritage firsthand can be an unforgettable reward.