Saudi Arabia: What to Know Before You Go

Cuisine Highlights

• Kabsa, spiced rice with lamb, chicken, or camel meat cooked with dried limes, rose water, and saffron; the national dish
• Mandi, slow-smoked lamb or chicken cooked in a tandoor pit until tender; the preferred celebration meal
• Jareesh, coarsely ground wheat cooked with broth and topped with fried onions; a traditional Najdi staple
• Mutabbaq, stuffed pan-fried pastry filled with eggs, onions, and minced meat; popular street food in Jeddah
• Qahwa (Arabic coffee), cardamom-spiced coffee served with dates as a gesture of welcome in every home and business

Traditions & Festivals

• Hajj (Dhul Hijjah), the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca; the largest human gathering on earth; non-Muslims cannot enter Mecca
• Eid Al-Fitr, three-day celebration at the end of Ramadan; families gather, gifts are exchanged, and cities come alive
• Saudi National Day (September 23), green fireworks, concerts, and drone shows across all major cities
• Riyadh Season (Oct–Feb), massive entertainment festival with concerts, sporting events, and cultural exhibitions
• AlUla Moments Festival, arts, music, and heritage events at the ancient Nabataean site of Hegra

Language & Communication

Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken in business, hospitality, and tourism, especially in Riyadh and Jeddah.

Key phrase: "Shukran" (شكرًا) means thank you; "Ahlan wa sahlan" (أهلاً وسهلاً) means welcome. Saudi Arabia has undergone rapid social reform under Vision 2030, the country is far more open to tourism than it was five years ago.

Cultural Etiquette

• Dress modestly in public, women are no longer required to wear abayas but conservative dress is strongly expected
• Alcohol is strictly prohibited throughout the country, do not attempt to bring it in
• During Ramadan, do not eat, drink, or smoke in public during daylight hours out of respect
• Greet with "As-salamu alaykum", responding shows cultural respect and is warmly received