For the modern globetrotter, the definition of luxury is all about ease of access – to landscapes that feel almost otherworldly, to histories few have touched, and to moments of quiet that are increasingly rare in a hyper-connected world.
This Ramadan, two of Saudi’s most extraordinary destinations – AlUla and the Red Sea – offer a chance to step into a world where time slows and each experience can be savoured. From sun-drenched canyons to turquoise lagoons, and lantern-lit streets that shimmer after dusk, the country’s dramatic scenery and vibrant urban centres reveal a rare harmony of heritage and contemporary design.
2026 Exclusive: Unprecedented Access
To celebrate this season, Saudi has unveiled a curated collection of offers that make its most coveted destinations unexpectedly reachable.
- The Offer: Unlock unrivaled savings of up to 45% across iconic properties.
- The Timing: Limited-time deals valid for travel in early 2026.
- The Opportunity: A rare chance to experience world-class hospitality at exceptional value.
Embracing the Rhythm of Ramadan
Travel during Ramadan does not mean slowing down. Instead, it offers a chance to find a new rhythm. It allows visitors to set their own pace, balancing exploration with moments of reflection and calm.
Mornings can be spent indulging in wellness programs or gentle yoga. Afternoons offer restorative downtime, a quiet walk, or the freedom to explore without feeling rushed.
As evening falls, the atmosphere transforms. Streets glow with lanterns, souks hum with activity, and the air is rich with the scents of spices and freshly baked treats. It is a world where every sight, sound, and taste is heightened by the warmth of Saudi hospitality, making each evening unforgettable.
AlUla: The Living Museum
The interplay of daylight and twilight in AlUla is profoundly beautiful. For history buffs, artists, or photography enthusiasts, it is a playground of epic proportions. During Ramadan, more than at any other time, the usual tourist hum fades away, leaving the rare, almost spiritual privilege of standing before Hegra – Saudi’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site – in near-total solitude.
Staying in the Ashar Valley is like living within a work of art. This season, some of the region’s most ultra-luxurious retreats, architectural marvels carved into the rock or mirrored against it, are offering sanctuary at a fraction of the usual cost:
Banyan Tree, AlUla
Nestled in the heart of Ashar Valley, Banyan Tree AlUla brings guests close to the sandstone cliffs that feel almost within reach. The award-winning Banyan Tree Spa marries Asian techniques with Arabian traditions, while sunrise yoga and mindfulness sessions frame the dramatic canyon scenery.
- Offer: Up to 42% off (limited-time Ramadan Lights deal).
- Where: Ashar Valley, AlUla.
- Ramadan Highlight: Post-iftar spa time, followed by desert silence and stars.
Our Habitas, AlUla
Sustainable, earth-toned villas allow guests to stay connected to AlUla’s raw beauty. The Thuraya Wellness Centre fuses global wellness techniques with ancestral practices. Meditate in the outdoor agora, soak in sound baths, or simply let the desert calm restore your mind.
- Offer: Up to 45% off.
- Where: Ashar Valley, AlUla.
- Ramadan Highlight: Fireside evenings and cozy conversations during suhoor under a wide sky.
Ashar Tented Resort
Delivers a “sleep-in-the-canyon” feeling with tented stays framed by dramatic scenery. With earthy textures and warm lighting, ease into slow mornings then spend the afternoon unwinding with unhurried dips and quiet reading time.
- Offer: Up to 35% off.
- Where: Ashar Valley, AlUla.
- Ramadan Highlight: Cool desert breezes after sunset, perfect for outdoor dining.
The Chedi, Hegra
Situated close to AlUla’s most storied landmark, The Chedi Hegra offers a tranquil minimalist retreat. Between cultural excursions, guests can restore with gentle movement, spa-led downtime, and mindful moments designed for total decompression.
- Offer: Up to 35% off.
- Where: Hegra, AlUla.
- Ramadan Highlight: A slow, elegant Iftar followed by a late walk in the crisp desert air.
Shaden Resort, AlUla
A convenient base for families, Shaden Resort pairs villa-style comfort with access to AlUla’s headline sights, including Elephant Rock. Days can revolve around simple pleasures: poolside relaxation, leisurely breakfasts, and spontaneous desert adventures.
- Offer: Up to 30% off.
- Where: AlUla.
- Ramadan Highlight: Relaxed suhoor nights without the need for overplanning.
Exploring Old Town & AlJadidah
No visit to AlUla is complete without wandering through Old Town. Lose yourself in a labyrinth of mud-brick buildings, browse artisan workshops in the AlJadidah Arts District, and immerse in the evening festivities as the streets come alive after sundown, illuminated by lanterns and filled with the scent of spices, fresh bread, and vibrant local culture.
The Red Sea: Futuristic Design meets Lagoon-Calm Nights
If AlUla feels like stepping back through millennia, the Red Sea is a plunge into the future. Its pristine lagoons, dramatic desert escarpments, and cutting-edge resort design create a landscape that is at once raw and refined. Here, Ramadan takes on a new character: days of serene water and sun-drenched horizons, evenings alive with reflective shimmer and contemporary luxury.
Shebara (Sheybarah Island)
Shebara makes a statement from the moment you arrive, with sleek overwater and beachfront villas that feel futuristic against the calm of the lagoon. Designed to reflect the sea and sky, it’s the kind of place where the environment shapes your memories: sunlit water by day, shimmering reflections after sunset.
- Offer: 20% savings.
- Where: Sheybarah Island, The Red Sea.
- Ramadan Highlight: Unwind by the crystal lagoon after Iftar for serene, photogenic moments with loved ones.
Desert Rock
Desert Rock carves luxury onto the land, with stays set into a rugged valley so you feel wrapped in Earth’s embrace. The resort blends natural textures, shadow-and-light architecture, and private spaces that make the desert feel personal. Balance adrenaline and stillness with hikes and viewpoints, then return to spa-led recovery.
- Offer: 20% savings.
- Where: Inland, approx. 30 mins from Red Sea International Airport.
- Ramadan Highlight: Late-night dining and stargazing in the wadi after sunset.
A Ramadan of Contrasts: Cities and Serenity
While the Red Sea resorts offer seclusion, the urban centres pulse with communal life during Ramadan. Cities such as Jeddah, Riyadh, and Diriyah transform after sundown, illuminated by lanterns, buzzing with the scent of street food, and echoing with music and conversation.
Jeddah: Heritage and Sea Breezes
Along the coastal streets of Jeddah, Ramadan is a sensory immersion. Al-Balad, the UNESCO World Heritage historic district, comes alive at sunset. Narrow lanes lined with coral-stone houses and carved wooden balconies glow with lanterns, while the call to prayer drifts across the city. Night markets offer artisanal crafts, prayer beads, and the aromas of incense and freshly baked bread. Traditional foods, from spiced chickpeas to liver sandwiches, are washed down with Sobia, a barley-based refreshment unique to the region.
Riyadh: The Capital of Light
In Riyadh, daytime is calm, but the nights are electric. Lavish Ramadan tents host grand iftar and suhoor gatherings, with buffets that marry global gastronomy and traditional Saudi dishes like absa and Jareesh. Souq Al Zal, a century-old market, comes alive under the night sky, offering antiques, oud, and the chatter of locals preparing for Eid. Meanwhile, late-night shopping in luxury malls and designer boutiques adds a modern twist to the nocturnal rhythm.
Diriyah: Where It All Began
Just on the outskirts of Riyadh lies Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi state. Ramadan casts a magical glow over the UNESCO-listed mud-brick palaces of At-Turaif, illuminated with soft, golden lighting that accentuates every historic texture. Bujairi Terrace offers dining experiences that blend local ingredients with contemporary techniques, perfectly complementing evening strolls through this storied city.
Jeddah: Heritage and Sea Breezes
In the coastal city of Jeddah, Ramadan feels like homecoming.
The celebratory pulse is strongest in Al-Balad, the city’s UNESCO World Heritage historic district. As the sun sets over the Red Sea, the maghrib call to prayer threads its way through narrow lanes flanked by centuries-old houses and their ornately latticed wooden Roshan balconies.
By night, the alleyways bloom. Markets spill outward in warm halos of string lights. Prayer beads, handmade crafts and tiny vials of fragrant oil change hands. The air is thick with the scent of incense and freshly baked bread.
The real theatre, though, is edible. Ramadan staples are served without fuss: bowls of balila (chickpeas glossed with spice and lemon), liver sandwiches griddled to order, and cups of sobia – the Hejazi barley-and-bread drink that is at once sweet, sharp and unapologetically local.
Riyadh: The Capital of Light
Riyadh has no shortage of buzz and excitement happening on a daily basis, and Ramadan is no different; while the days are quiet, the nights can get electric.
One of the quintessential Riyadh experiences is the “Ramadan Tent.” Luxury hotels and cultural centers set up lavish, beautifully decorated marquees where iftar and suhoor become grand social affairs.
Expect sprawling buffets that feature global gastronomy alongside traditional Saudi lamb dishes like absa and Jareesh.
For a dose of history, head to Souq Al Zal. This century-old market comes alive at night with auctions of antiques, scents of oud, and the chatter of locals shopping for Eid. It is a sensory immersion into the old soul of the city.
In true Saudi style, the city’s sumptuous malls and designer boutiques open their doors late into the night, allowing for a unique nocturnal shopping experience.
Diriyah: Where It All Began
Before you leave, go back to the beginning. Just on the edge of Riyadh lies Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi state. During Ramadan, this “Earth City” feels particularly magical.
The UNESCO World Heritage site of At-Turaif, with its illuminated mud-brick palaces, stands as a stunning backdrop for evening strolls. The lighting here is soft and golden, designed to enhance the textures of the historic architecture.
For a world-class dining experience, Bujairi Terrace offers a collection of selected premium restaurants and cafés overlooking the ruins.
During Ramadan, these venues offer curated set menus that blend Saudi homegrown ingredients with contemporary culinary techniques.
