The number of tourists is growing in Saudi Arabia in recent years. More and more people plan their trip to Saudi Arabia and love to spend quality time there. Some of them visit alone while others believe in family adventure. What’s common among them is their interest in exploring historical sites.
Saudi Arabia always prefers keeping mysteries of previous civilizations. Therefore, it offers a collection of sites that reflect the dynamic history of Arabs. This is what attracts visitors the most. The same goes with pilgrims as well.
Therefore, Umrah packages support custom tours to historical sites for pilgrims. After all, it helps them connect with Islamic history and learn from the past.
So, once you are in Saudi Arabia, try the following historical activities there for sure. While considering top activities, we understand the unique interests of everyone. So, you’ll find a mix of activities you can find that suits you the most.
We all find historical details as a mystery that captures our interests. With that said, we all want to know about previous civilizations. Their ways of living, techniques of survival, and modes of routine practices surprise us.
And exploring their remains gets us back in the past. This is a reason historical places stay always on top of our adventure list. For pilgrims, Umrah packages from USA facilitate them to undertake historical adventures.
Even budget-conscious pilgrims with the 7 Nights 4 star Umrah package want to explore history. In that sense, Saudi Arabia is a perfect place to alleviate our curiosity.
The best part is that these places also let visitors engage in adventurous activities. If you are in the country with family members or friends, you can make the most of your historical trip with the following must-try things to do there.
1. Explore Ancient Ruins
Ancient ruins always capture our attention. Probably it’s because the history of human beings is more attractive than anything else. A good reason behind this is that human-raised civilizations leave influences on a particular group of people at a specific place.
Therefore, Saudi Arabia preserves the remains of prior tribes as-is to make their efforts live longer. In terms of ancient ruins, Madain Saleh, Al Ula, and Thaj are dominant.
For pilgrims, visiting nearby historical places and navigating the ruins of previous people is not challenging.
So, if you are planning alone or want to get back into history with family, explore ancient remains for sure.
2. Take Guided Tour
Taking a guided tour to explore historical sites makes a big difference. Therefore, Umrah packages don’t allow pilgrims to go on solo tours during the journey. Solo tours bring various issues like time shortage, mismanagement, lack of knowledge, and discomfort anyway.
On the other hand, a skillful guide understands major historic landmarks, shortcuts, and complete information about the region.
For instance, if you are planning to visit Diriyah or Madain Saleh, a guide will provide you with insider details. This is because guides know what matters the most and what is important you’ll ignore unconsciously. So, try to make the best of your historic exploration with a guided tour.
3. Visit Historical Mosques
Since Saudi Arabia gives rise to Islam, you will find ancient mosques everywhere. No matter where you are in the kingdom, you will have access to mosques there. For pilgrims, it’s a great blessing as they can undertake exploration tours while maintaining spirituality on the way.
Masjid Al-Haram and masjid an-Nabwi are both parts of the pilgrimage journey. However, they are also significant because of their historical role in spreading Islam. Besides, the Quba Mosque and masjid al-Qiblatain have a historical perspective.
During the early days of Islam, Muslims used to visit mosques to offer prayers as well as seek Islamic teachings.
Therefore, visiting historical mosques is a must-try activity for pilgrims to learn about Islamic history.
4. Discover Rock Art
The hilly area of Saudi Arabia presents Rock Art to visitors. In specific terms, Rock Art is further divided into two parts. The first is an art that the locals of previous civilizations used to draw over rocks. However, the second one is unique. It represents the art that nature draws over rocks for longer. You can also name it rock formation which is an interesting process to capture once in a lifetime.
Hail region and Jubbah host rock art made by historians. Their ways of hunting, survival, culture, dancing, and religious rituals are prominent in rocks.
On the other hand, Al Ula and Hegra allow visitors to observe rock formations from closer
5. Visit Historical Palaces
The defense system of historians also surprises visitors. While some are curious about how historians survive invaders, others have never thought like this. Therefore, discovering their defense strategies surprise them all. It’s because historians used to build huge structures in the name of forts and palaces.
These structures were not like routine buildings. Their strength, material, architecture, and height are all stunning. By building forts and palaces, previous tribes ensure safety against invaders.
Masmak Fortress, Najd, and Ajyad Forts are examples of these structures. Sometimes, cheap Umrah deals like the 7 Nights 4 star Umrah package facilitate pilgrims to explore these forts exclusively.
6. Attend Traditional Festivals
A significant portion of Saudi Arabia’s economy comes from tourism. This economic contribution of tourism is higher for Saudi Arabia than other countries out there. This is because the land hosts both pilgrims and visitors at the same time.
Millions of pilgrims always try to visit Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. Similarly, routine travelers and foreigners also choose Saudi land as a tourist attraction. Though their preferences are different, they come to the kingdom to visit places they love in terms of culture, history, nature, and spirituality.
Therefore, the major role that the Saudi government plays in this regard is the organization of cultural festivals. They are like cultural hosts of visitors who introduce the traditions of Arabs during sessions.
In addition to the educational part, they also take care of the entertainment of travelers. For instance, the most popular festival of Janadiriyah in Riyadh shows camel races, poetry competitions, and sports to amaze viewers.
As a pilgrim, you can also spend an hour or two in understanding the culture of the region. After all, it will enhance your knowledge as well as relieve your mind.
7. Visit a Historical Museums
If you are thinking that all kinds of museums offer the same type of information, think again. This is because Saudi Arabia offers diversity in terms of museums as well. The kingdom hosts different types of museums each with a different experience and a distinct level of learning. For instance, some are about modern technology and science while others deal with the remains of historians.
So, if you want to connect with history and folklore, visit historical museums. Popular options include the National Museum of Saudi Arabia, the Jeddah Museum, and the At-Turaif World Heritage Site.
These museums beautifully display the living styles of historians. They also have artifacts, handicrafts, equipment, and pottery collections of previous civilizations. In short, visiting a historical museum is a complete experience and you will learn more in a short time.
8. Take a Camel Ride
The hot and dry climate of Saudi Arabia favors the farming of camels in the kingdom. A significant portion of desert and sandy land also provides a favorable environment for camels. This is a reason, why many Arabian tribes use camels as their transport means.
In general, they follow the traditions of historians. They also use camels to provide fun rides to visitors to earn some bucks. So, if you are in Saudi Arabia and looking forward to trying some historical activities, enjoy a camel ride.
Don’t worry, the trainers are skillful and ensure travelers enjoy the ride comfortably and securely. The slow and calming walk of camels along deserts lets visitors experience historical transport. It also enables them to explore the desert at best.
9. Visit a Historical Souk
Souks are traditional markets full of organic products unique to Saudi Arabia. These marketplaces are unique in their own way. Visiting Souks and walking through a Mall isn’t a similar experience. Rather you will learn about tradition, hospitality, honesty, and the history of Arabs through Souks.
Besides these markets also offer fresh ingredients like spices, dates, almond oil, and grains. Handicrafts, jewelry designs, and perfume variety also attract visitors. Riyadh and Jeddah host popular Souks in the region.
However, you can also spot random ones throughout the journey. For pilgrims, Souks are ideal to shop for souvenirs. Sometimes, Umrah packages also guide pilgrims to famous Souks of the region to shop comfortably.
10. Learn About Islamic History
How can you ignore Islamic history as a Muslim? After all, Saudi Arabia is a birthplace of Islam and also gives rise to Islamic civilizations. Although Makkah and Madinah are dominant cities to explore, other places like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Taif are also important in terms of Islamic heritage.
The best way to learn more in less time is to visit a historical museum like the House of Islamic Arts, District of Hira, and Al Madinah Museum. They all have Islamic displays, calligraphic displays, art galleries, and interactive stories about Islamic history.
Besides, the Kiswah factory closer to masjid Al-Haram also provides useful insights into Islamic history and traditions. The best part is that Umrah packages also include group tours of pilgrims to the Kiswah factory so that they can witness the beautiful Kiswah-making process.
In conclusion, you have a lot to do in the name of historical activities in Saudi Arabia. So, plan your visits as per your schedule and make the best of your journey within budget.
