UNESCO Sites in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia UNESCO has registered 6 sites on the World Heritage list and 15 on the tentative list.

Some places are so interesting that it’s relevant to keep them for future generations. This is why UNESCO has built a list of crucial classified properties in which superb places stand out for their aesthetic, natural, artistic, or cultural significance.

More than a thousand places are registered as Unesco’s World Heritage worldwide. Due to my interest in visiting World Heritage sites, I compiled the UNESCO list in Saudi Arabia and the corresponding map.

Saudi Arabia UNESCO list

1. Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape
2. At-Turaif District in ad-Dir’iyah
3. Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ)
4. Ḥimā Cultural Area
5. Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah
6. Rock Art in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia UNESCO Map

Click on the blue pins to view more relevant information about each World Heritage site in Saudi Arabia.

Description

1. Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape is an extensive oasis in eastern Saudi Arabia, containing many archaeological sites and historical buildings. It provides insights into the long-standing interaction between humans and the natural environment in the Arabian Peninsula.
2. At-Turaif District in ad-Dir’iyah is a historic district in the city of ad-Dir’iyah, the original home of the Saudi royal family. It includes several palaces, mosques, and other important buildings that provide insights into the political, social, and cultural history of Saudi Arabia.
3. Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr/Madā’in Ṣāliḥ) is an important archaeological site in northwestern Saudi Arabia that dates back to the first millennium BCE. It contains well-preserved tombs and other structures that provide insights into the culture and society of the Nabataean Kingdom.
4. Ḥimā Cultural Area is a collection of archaeological sites in northwestern Saudi Arabia that date back to the pre-Islamic period. It includes ancient rock art, inscriptions, and other artifacts that provide insights into the period’s religious, social, and cultural life.
5. Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah, is a historic district in the city of Jeddah, containing some important buildings and urban features that reflect the cultural and architectural traditions of the region.
6. Rock Art in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia is a collection of prehistoric rock art sites in north-central Saudi Arabia that date back to the Neolithic period. The rock art includes depictions of animals, human figures, and other images that provide valuable insights into the early cultural traditions of the region.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Saudi Arabia have protected places for their cultural and natural importance.

Sites on the Tentative List

1. Hejaz Railway
2. Syrian Hajj Road
3. Egyptian Hajj Road
4. Rijal Almaa Heritage Village in Assir Region
5. Zee Ain Heritage Village in Al-Baha Region
6. ‘Uruq Bani Mu’arid Protected Area
7. Farasan Islands Protected Area
8. The Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area
9. The Ancient Walled Oases of Northern Arabia
10. The Hajj Pilgrimage Routes: The Darb Zubaydah
11. Prehistoric Stone Structures in Saudi Arabia
12. Water Management in Saudi Arabia: The Ancient Dams
13. Bioclimatic Refugia of Western Arabia
14. The Oil Industrial Heritage in Saudi Arabia
15. The Rural Cultural Landscapes of Sarawat Mountains