The Northern Route: A Journey Through Saudi Heritage and Hospitality
Riyadh : Stretching 1,200 kilometers from Riyadh to Jubbah in the Hail region, Saudi Arabia’s Northern Route invites visitors to explore the Kingdom through its communities, heritage, landscapes, and traditions. The itinerary features 16 stops across Riyadh, Qassim, and Hail, with more than 130 tourism experiences.
Launched by His Excellency Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority, the route is part of the Saudi Winter 2026 program, themed “Every Stop is a Journey.” Experiences range from historic villages and heritage sites to desert adventures, rural activities, local cuisine, and traditional crafts.
Hospitality at the heart of the journey
In Saudi Arabia, hospitality is more than a welcome: it reflects generations of generosity, warmth, and pride in local identity. The Northern Route brings these values into the visitor experience, connecting travelers with the people and traditions that shape each destination.
At stops along the way, visitors can discover local customs, sample traditional dishes, explore handicrafts, and hear the stories behind old homes, markets, farms, and heritage sites. By engaging directly with local communities, travelers gain insight into how these traditions continue to influence everyday life.
The route presents Saudi hospitality as a living cultural practice—one that helps visitors connect with the character of each place.
A different story at every stop
Beginning in Riyadh, the route passes through Thadiq, Shaqra, Ushaiger, Al-Qasab, Al-Majma’ah, Al-Ghat, and Al-Zulfi. It then continues through Qassim, with stops in Al-Mithnab, Unaizah, Ar-Rass, Al-Bukayriyah, Buraydah, and Uyun Al-Jiwa, before reaching Ha’il and Jubbah.
Each location has its own natural setting, architecture, and cultural heritage. Historic villages reveal traditional building styles and community life. Rural activities reflect the long relationship between people and the land, while local crafts showcase skills passed down through generations.
Food offers another way to understand the regions. Traditional dishes are closely tied to local customs, occasions, and ways of life, providing visitors with a taste of the Kingdom’s cultural diversity.
Together, these experiences make the route more than a journey between destinations: they create a connected cultural experience shaped by the people and distinctive details of each stop.
Local communities shape the experience
Local communities play a central role in the route, sharing their knowledge of the places they call home and helping preserve and present their heritage. Their involvement supports cultural and rural activities while creating opportunities for visitors to meet residents and learn about local life.
More than 335 tour guides and 21 destination management companies are involved in curating and organizing experiences along the route. Their work helps showcase the regions’ historical, natural, and cultural assets.
Community participation also supports local tourism and economic activity, creating opportunities to promote products and services rooted in regional heritage.
Building on heritage for the future
The Northern Route has launched in an initial phase, with plans to explore adding sites, stops, and experiences throughout the year. Further development could broaden opportunities to showcase local heritage and increase community involvement in tourism.
The initiative reflects the Saudi Tourism Authority’s efforts to develop and promote connected tourism products, support domestic and international travel, and contribute to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Across its 16 stops, the route’s defining feature is the people who bring each place to life. Their hospitality and living heritage turn a journey through Saudi Arabia into an experience visitors can discover, share, and remember.
