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7-day Saudi Arabia luxury itinerary — Banyan Tree AlUla

The 7-Day Saudi Arabia Luxury Itinerary

By LuxurySaudi4U Editorial·Published 5 May 2026·14 min read

Saudi Arabia is the rarest luxury travel proposition in the world right now — a country with new private island resorts, ancient desert villas, palatial city hotels, and tourism that has been open to international guests for fewer than five years.

This 7-day itinerary covers what we believe is the most rewarding first-time Saudi luxury circuit: two nights in Riyadh for city luxury and heritage, two nights in AlUla for the desert and Hegra, and three nights on a Red Sea private island. Each day is structured around a single anchor experience, with built-in slow time so the trip doesn't feel rushed.

All hotels listed are independently reviewed under our editorial standards. Direct booking links to our trusted partners are provided for each property.

Total nights

7

Destinations

3

From price

$15,000 USD

Best months

Oct–Mar

Arrive Riyadh
Day 1 · Diplomatic Quarter

Arrive Riyadh

Morning
Arrival at King Khalid International Airport. Private transfer to the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh. The former royal palace complex has 492 rooms across vast palatial grounds in the Diplomatic Quarter.
Afternoon
Check in. Rest in your suite. Spa hour at the Six Senses Spa Riyadh (one of Saudi Arabia's largest at over 6,000 m²).
Evening
Dinner at Scalini — the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh's flagship Italian, consistently rated among the city's best.
Check Ritz-Carlton Riyadh →Full Hotel Review
Riyadh — Heritage & Skyline
Day 2 · Diriyah · Edge of the World · KAFD

Riyadh — Heritage & Skyline

Morning
Private guided visit to Diriyah — Saudi Arabia's most important heritage site and the ancestral home of the Al Saud family. The UNESCO-listed At-Turaif mud-brick district is best explored in the cool morning hours.
Afternoon
Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn) — a dramatic 300m escarpment 90km north-west of Riyadh. Private 4WD with our trusted driver. Sunset is the most photographed moment in Saudi Arabia.
Evening
Return to Riyadh. Dinner at Nobu Riyadh in the Kingdom Centre district, or rooftop drinks at Mansard.
Check Ritz-Carlton Riyadh →Full Hotel Review
Fly to AlUla
Day 3 · Ashar Valley

Fly to AlUla

Morning
Domestic flight from Riyadh to AlUla (approximately 1h 45m). Saudia and flynas operate multiple daily services. Arrival at AlUla International Airport (IATA: ULH).
Afternoon
Transfer to Banyan Tree AlUla — private pool villas carved into the sandstone canyon walls. Welcome ritual in your villa. Late afternoon spa session using indigenous desert botanicals.
Evening
Stargazing dinner at the resort. AlUla has near-zero light pollution — the Milky Way is genuinely visible from your villa terrace.
Check Banyan Tree →Full Hotel Review
Private Dawn Access to Hegra
Day 4 · Hegra · Old Town AlUla · Maraya

Private Dawn Access to Hegra

Morning
Pre-dawn departure for private after-hours access to Hegra (Mada'in Salih) — Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. 111 monumental Nabataean tombs across 3.75 sq km. You have the entire site to yourself before the first public tours arrive.
Afternoon
Return for breakfast at the villa. Visit AlUla Old Town for guided walking exploration. Afternoon at Maraya — the world's largest mirrored building, reflecting the sandstone canyon.
Evening
Dinner at Annabel's Hegra (members-only outpost, accessible through your hotel concierge) or in-villa private dining.
Check Banyan Tree →Full Hotel Review
Fly to the Red Sea
Day 5 · Shura Island

Fly to the Red Sea

Morning
Morning balloon flight over Elephant Rock and the AlUla canyon (weather-dependent — best November to February).
Afternoon
Transfer to AlUla airport. Flight to Red Sea International Airport (IATA: RSI) or Jeddah. Seaplane transfer (25–45 minutes) to Shura Island.
Evening
Arrive at St. Regis Red Sea. Butler greets at the seaplane dock. Welcome champagne sabrage at sunset (the St. Regis signature). First night in your overwater villa with glass-floor plunge pool above the reef.
Check St. Regis →Full Hotel Review
The Reef Day
Day 6 · St. Regis Red Sea

The Reef Day

Morning
Marine biologist-led private snorkelling excursion. The reef immediately surrounding the resort is in pristine condition — visibility regularly exceeds 30 metres and biodiversity rivals the Maldives at its best.
Afternoon
Slow afternoon at the villa. Swim from your glass-floor plunge pool. Spa session at the Iridium Spa.
Evening
Private dinner on a deserted sandbar — arranged by the butler. Returning by tender at sunset, with bioluminescence sometimes visible in the wake.
Check St. Regis →Full Hotel Review
Final Morning · Departure
Day 7 · Shura Island → Jeddah

Final Morning · Departure

Morning
Slow start. Final swim. Breakfast on the deck above the reef.
Afternoon
Seaplane transfer back to Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport. Connecting flight home.
Evening
If extending the trip, a Jeddah evening at the Park Hyatt Marina or Rosewood Jeddah adds an excellent capstone — UNESCO Old Town Al-Balad after dark is one of the most extraordinary urban experiences in the Middle East.
Check St. Regis →Full Hotel Review

What we recommend pre-booking

  • ◆

    Hotels (all 3 nights)

    Book at least 3–6 months in advance for the Red Sea (December–February is peak). AlUla fills quickly during Winter at Tantora (December–March). Riyadh is more flexible.

  • ◆

    Private Hegra after-hours access

    Arranged through your AlUla hotel concierge. Confirm at booking — slots are limited and prized by guests.

  • ◆

    Domestic flights

    Saudia, flynas, or flyadeal operate Riyadh ↔ AlUla and AlUla ↔ Red Sea. Book direct in business class — premium availability tightens fast.

  • ◆

    Seaplane transfers to the Red Sea

    Operated by the resorts. Confirm at the time of hotel booking — there are limited daily slots.

  • ◆

    Tourist e-Visa

    Apply at visitsaudi.com — typically approved within hours. Valid 1 year, $135 USD.

Itinerary FAQ

How much does a 7-day Saudi Arabia luxury trip cost?+

A 7-day Saudi luxury itinerary covering Riyadh, AlUla, and the Red Sea typically costs $15,000–$25,000 per couple, including hotels, internal flights, transfers, and private experiences. Premium villa categories at Nujuma or St. Regis push this to $30,000–$40,000.

What is the ideal Saudi Arabia luxury itinerary order?+

We recommend Riyadh (2 nights) first to acclimatise, then AlUla (2 nights) for desert heritage, finishing with the Red Sea (3 nights) for the overwater villa climax. The flight routing Riyadh → AlUla → Red Sea works efficiently with domestic Saudi airlines.

Can I do Saudi Arabia in less than 7 days?+

Yes — a 4-night two-destination trip (Riyadh + AlUla, or AlUla + Red Sea) is the most popular short Saudi luxury format. Three-night single-destination stays are also common, particularly for honeymoon Red Sea trips at Nujuma or St. Regis.

What is the best time of year for this itinerary?+

October through March is the optimal window across all three destinations. The Red Sea offers 24–26°C water temperatures, AlUla daytime sits at 18–28°C, and Riyadh is comfortably 15–28°C. Avoid June–September when Riyadh and Red Sea exceed 40°C.

Do I need a visa for this itinerary?+

Citizens of 60+ countries (UK, US, Australia, most EU) can obtain a Saudi tourist e-Visa online in minutes for approximately $135 USD. The visa is valid for one year with multiple entries and 90-day stays — more than enough for any luxury itinerary.

Want This Built For You?

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