Top 3 Reasons Why Stargazing in Saudi is Truly Magical

Since the dawn of humanity, our gaze has been drawn upward to the night sky. In ancient times, early Arabs navigated vast deserts with the stars as their compass, vital for survival, and to mark the passage of time and seasons. In a land where the horizon seemed infinite, the stars were a constant and unwavering guide. And that is still true today.

Read on to find out why Saudi, with its diverse regions where legends meet wonders, is a land of cosmic exploration and stargazing ‘firsts’.

1. Discover Bedouin traditions
In the vast expanses of the Saudi desert, the stars were more than navigational guides for Bedouins; they were intertwined with their daily lives, marking time, guiding agricultural practices and inspiring stories that have been passed down through generations.

Stargaze in the magical expanse of the desert at a traditional Bedouin desert camp while enjoying a warm Saudi welcome with authentic cuisine, Saudi coffee, traditional music and stories.

Discover timeless traditions and get a glimpse into a way of life that remains deeply connected to the cosmos.

2. The clearest skies: Saudi Red Sea’s Dark Skies Initiative
There’s something really special about the sky in the Saudi Red Sea.

Pioneering dark sky tourism, it is on track to become the world’s second-largest international Dark Sky Reserve.

Through Saudi Red Sea’s Dark Skies Initiative, light pollution in the area is being cut to almost zero through innovative lighting strategies, allowing visitors to experience celestial events in the night sky in all their glory.

Check into the Six Senses Southern Dunes to join a stargazing excursion guided by a local astrologer, or head to Nujuma , the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Middle East and seventh in the world, to marvel at the starry night skies through your own personal telescope from the comfort of your villa.

3. Diverse stargazing destinations
From the ancient rock formations of AlUla to the rolling dunes of Riyadh’s desert and the vast skies above Saudi Red Sea, Saudi offers a myriad stargazing destinations.

In AlUla, the celestial tapestry unfolds in all its glory at sites like Gharameel , a remote desert expanse and the ancient city of Hegra , Saudi’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a truly unique experience, the Stargazing & Moonlite Night Experience Tour in AlUla has a Star Guide who will take you on a stargazing journey before a traditional dinner and campfire. And to ensure AlUla remains perfect for stargazing with little to no light pollution, the Royal Commission for AlUla launched the Light Pollution Reduction Initiative.

Amid the stunning sandstone hills just outside the city, you can book a stargazing expedition. Explore an ancient trail and depending on the season, you may meet local camel herders. Enjoy dinner around a bonfire before sunset, where you’ll hear local folklore and gain historical insights, while gazing into the sky and marvelling at the constellations.