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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established in 1972 is engaged in the protection and preservation of cultural or natural heritage.[1]
There are 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Saudi Arabia inscribed from 2008 to 2024.
| Name | Image | Location | Date | UNESCO Data | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Ahsa Oasis |  |
Al-Ahsa Oasis | Neolithic | ; 2018; iii, iv, v;(Cultural) |
The Al-Ahsa Oasis is a serial property comprising gardens, canals, springs, wells and a drainage lake, as well as historical buildings, urban fabric and archaeological sites.[2] |
| Al-Hijr Archaeological Site (Madâin Sâlih) |  |
Al-'Ula | The 1st century BC | ;2008;ii, iii;(Cultural) | The Archaeological Site of Al-Hijr (Madâin Sâlih) features well-preserved monumental tombs with decorated facades dating from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD. The site also features some 50 inscriptions of the pre-Nabataean period and some cave drawings.[3] |
| At-Turaif District in Diriyah |  |
Diriyah | The 15th century | ; 2010; iv, v, vi;(Cultural) | Al-Turaif District bears witness to the Najdi architectural style, which is specific to the centre of the Arabian peninsula and includes the remains of many palaces and an urban ensemble built on the edge of the ad-Dir’iyah oasis.[4] |
| Ḥimā Cultural Area |  |
Najran Province | The time period of 7000–1000 BC | ;2021; iii;(Cultural) | Ḥimā Cultural Area contains a collection of rock art images illustrating hunting, fauna, flora and lifestyles of 7,000 years.[5] |
| Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah | _(50703531762).jpg) |
Jeddah | The 7th century AD | ;2014; ii, iv, vi;(Cultural) | Historic Jeddah was as a major port for Indian Ocean trade routes, channelling goods to Mecca. It was also the gateway for Muslim pilgrims to Mecca who arrived by sea.[6] |
| Rock Art in the Hail Region |  |
Hail Region | From 10,000 years[7] | ;2015; i, iii;(Cultural) | This property shows numerous representations of human and animal figures covering 10,000 years of history.[7] |
| ‘Uruq Bani Mu’arid Protected Area |  |
Najran, Riyadh 19°20′13″N 45°54′14″E | ;2023; vii, ix;(Natural) | The property encompasses the western part of the greatest expanse of windblown sand on Earth, known as Ar Rub' al-KhaIi, and conserves one of the Earth’s most spectacular desert landscapes.[8] | |
| The Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area |  |
Riyadh Province | 400 BC | ; 2024; ii, v;(Cultural) | Lying at a strategic point of the ancient trade routes of the Arabian Peninsula, the property was abruptly abandoned around the 5th century CE.[9] |
| Site | Image | Location | Criteria | Area ha (acre) | Year of submission | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zee Ain Heritage Village in Al-Baha Region |  |
Al Bahah, 19°46′03″N 41°26′03″E | Cultural (iv)(v) | 2015 | Characterized by traditional stone architecture and features stone-built houses and a historic mosque, illustrating the adaptation of its inhabitants to the mountainous environment and their emphasis on community and defense. The surrounding agricultural terraces showcase early farming techniques and water management.[10] | |
| Rijal Almaa Heritage Village in Assir Region |  |
'Asir, 18°12′46″N 42°16′24″E | Cultural (iv)(v) | 2015 | A historical village renowned for its distinctive clay and stone tower houses. This village, which consists of about 60 multi-story buildings, showcases the unique architectural style of the Assir region, featuring brightly colored facades and intricate wooden window frames.[11] | |
| Egyptian Hajj Road | .jpg) |
Madinah, Makkah, Tabuk 28°29′18″N 34°59′56″E | Cultural (ii) (iv)(v) | 2015 | The road served as a pilgrimage route for Hajj travelers from Egypt to Mecca. This ancient path was part of a network of routes facilitating the annual Islamic pilgrimage, accommodating the logistical needs of travelers with rest stations, wells, and forts for protection against the harsh desert conditions and potential threats. Over centuries, it played a crucial role in the religious, cultural, and economic exchanges between regions.[12] | |
| Syrian Hajj Road |  |
Madinah, Makkah, Tabuk 29°02′51″N 36°10′10″E | Cultural (ii) (iv)(v) | 2015 | A route for Hajj pilgrims traveling from Syria to Mecca. It featured a network of roads with facilities like caravanserais and water sources, ensuring the safety and well-being of travelers. This route facilitated not only religious journeys but also cultural and economic exchanges between regions.[13] | |
| Hejaz Railway |  |
Madinah, Tabuk 29°08′19″N 36°04′50″E | Cultural (ii) (iv)(vi) | 2015 | A historic rail line originally built to facilitate the pilgrimage to Mecca, connecting Damascus in Syria to Medina in Saudi Arabia. Beyond its religious significance, the railway also served strategic and economic purposes, enhancing the Ottoman Empire's control over its distant provinces and fostering trade.[14] | |
| Farasan Islands Protected Area |  |
Jazan 16°48′N 41°51′E | Natural (x) | 2019 | A conservation site in Saudi Arabia, located in the Red Sea. It encompasses a group of islands known for their rich biodiversity, including coral reefs, mangroves, and a variety of marine and bird life. The area is particularly known for its nesting populations of birds and its significance as a habitat for endangered species. The islands also hold archaeological sites and cultural heritage, reflecting a long history of human habitation.[15] | |
| The Hajj Pilgrimage Routes: The Darb Zubaydah | .jpg) |
Ḥa'il, Madinah, Makkah, Northern Borders, Qassim 24°37′55″N 41°17′26″E | Cultural (ii)(iv)(vi) | 2022 | From Kufa in Iraq to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. This ancient pathway was named after Zubaydah bint Ja`far, the wife of the Abbasid Caliph Harun al-Rashid, who significantly contributed to its development by constructing wells, reservoirs, and rest stations to support the pilgrims. The route facilitated safer and more manageable journeys for thousands of Hajj pilgrims through the harsh desert landscape.[16] | |
| The Ancient Walled Oases of Northern Arabia |  |
Al Jawf, Ḥa'il, Tabuk, 27°37′47″N 38°32′38″E | Cultural (ii)(v) | 2022 | A series of fortified settlements that flourished in the harsh desert environment of the Arabian Peninsula. They served as hubs for trade, agriculture, and settlement, thanks to their strategic locations along ancient caravan routes and their ability to sustain life through sophisticated water management systems. The walls that surrounded them provided protection against raiders and helped control the microclimate for agriculture, making them vital centers for the development of early Arabian societies.[17] | |
| The Rural Cultural Landscapes of Sarawat Mountains | .jpg) |
Al-Bahah, 'Asir, Makkah 20°48′16″N 40°45′21″E | Cultural (ii)(iii)(v) | 2023 | Traditional villages and agricultural terraces. These landscapes highlight sustainable living through stone and mud-brick houses and terraced farming, which utilizes scarce water efficiently. This region embodies the cultural heritage and agricultural traditions of its inhabitants, reflecting centuries of sustainable practices and community resilience in challenging environments.[18] | |
| The Oil Industrial Heritage in Saudi Arabia |  |
Eastern Province, Makkah 26°19′15″N 50°07′38″E | Cultural (ii)(iv)(v) | 2023 | Historic oil fields, refineries, and industrial sites that mark the beginning of oil exploration and production in the early 20th century. These sites not only represent technological advancements but also the socio-economic changes that oil discovery brought to Saudi Arabia, turning it into a key player in the global energy market.[19] | |
| Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |  |
Tabuk 28°13′52″N 34°38′44″E | Natural (viii)(ix)(x) | 2024 | Home to a wide variety of coral species, fish, and other marine organisms. They play a crucial role in marine life support, local fishing industries, and the tourism sector.[20] | |
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