Najd: near Riyadh
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Ushaiqer heritage village | One of Najd's oldest towns, with about 400 mud houses and 25 mosques, some restored, a museum of local life, and quiet lanes to walk. | About 200 km north-west of Riyadh; stay in nearby Shaqra |
| Old Shaqra | A Najdi town of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century mud houses, some restored and open to visitors, with the Hlewa heritage market. | About 180 km north-west of Riyadh |
| Al-Ghat heritage village | A quiet mud-brick village with the Emara palace, now a museum of local tools and ancient rock carvings. | About 250 km north-west of Riyadh |
| At-Turaif in Diriyah | The seat of the first Saudi state with its mud-brick palaces, on the World Heritage list. | Diriyah, on the edge of Riyadh |
The south: Asir and Al-Baha
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Rijal Almaa | About 60 buildings of stone, clay and wood with colourful windows, on the old caravan route, with a museum in one of its forts. | About 45 to 50 km west of Abha |
| Dhee Ain (the marble village) | A stone village on a hill of white marble, with houses of two to seven floors, named after a spring there. | About 24 to 30 km from Al-Baha on the Al-Mikhwah road |
The north-west
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| AlUla Old Town | A restored mud-brick town with lanes, mosques and a hilltop citadel, a souq and handicrafts, named one of the UN's Best Tourism Villages (2022). | AlUla, car-free, loveliest at sunset |
Tips before you go
- The best time is October to March, and weekday mornings are calmer.
- Some old houses are unrestored, so walk the lanes but don't enter cracked buildings, and wear comfortable shoes.
- Combine Ushaiqer and Shaqra in one day from Riyadh, Rijal Almaa with Abha, and Dhee Ain with Al-Baha.
Hotels in the heritage villages
- Hotels in Abha
- Hotels in AlUla
- Hotels in Al Baha
- Hotels in Riyadh
- Serviced apartments in Riyadh
- Resorts around Riyadh
- Resorts in Abha
More places in Saudi Arabia
- Riyadh malls
- Six Flags and Aquarabia in Qiddiya
- Things to do in Riyadh
- Things to do in Jeddah
- Things to do in Abha
- Things to do in Al Khobar and Dammam
- Things to do in Taif
- Places to visit in Makkah
- Places to visit in Madinah
- Things to do in AlUla
- Things to do in Al Ahsa
- Things to do in Tabuk
- Things to do in Al Baha
- Things to do in Jazan
- Things to do in Hail
- Things to do in Qassim
- Yanbu and Umluj
- Jeddah malls
- Al Khobar and Dammam malls
- Things to do in Diriyah
- Things to do in Al Namas
- Things to do in Al Jubail
- Things to do in Al Kharj
- Things to do in Rabigh and King Abdullah Economic City
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most beautiful heritage villages in Saudi Arabia?
Ushaiqer, Shaqra, Al-Ghat and Diriyah in Najd, Rijal Almaa in Asir, Dhee Ain in Al-Baha, and AlUla Old Town.
How far is Ushaiqer from Riyadh?
About 200 km north-west of Riyadh, or about two hours by car; nearby Shaqra is better for an overnight stay.
Where is Rijal Almaa?
About 45 to 50 km west of Abha, in the Asir mountains.
When is the best time to visit the heritage villages?
From October to March, when the weather is mild; mornings are calmer for photos and walking.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.