The Saudi Minister of Tourism announced that the Kingdom recorded 30 million international arrivals in 2024, setting a new record for the country. This marks a significant increase from 2019, when Saudi Arabia opened its borders for international tourism and welcomed just over 17.5 million visitors.
In addition to its culture and rich heritage, the Kingdom boasts a remarkable natural diversity. It is also a significant religious destination, the Islamic faith's birthplace. Millions of Muslims visit the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina yearly to perform Hajj and Umrah, further contributing to the Kingdom's appeal as a tourist hotspot.
Saudi Arabia has been ranked as the top preferred Arab destination for Muslim tourists.
The Kingdom boasts more than 10,000 heritage and religious sites, including 500 places referenced in pre-Islamic Arabic poetry and approximately 400 mentioned in the biography of the Prophet Muhammad. Among these, Mecca stands out as the most attractive city, followed closely by Medina.
This overview highlights the most famous religious sites in Saudi Arabia.