Summer tourism in the Kingdom is no longer synonymous with relaxation and tranquility alone; with the acceleration of major entertainment projects and investments by the Public Investment Fund in amusement parks, mountain and beach resorts, Saudi Arabia has established itself as a destination sought out by youth and adrenaline enthusiasts specifically, in search of record-breaking roller coasters, diving among shipwrecks, and flying over mist-covered peaks.

This direction is part of a national vision aiming to attract 150 million visitors by 2030, after the Kingdom already surpassed 122 million visitors during 2025 alone. In this report, we take you on a tour of the most prominent destinations suitable for youth and adventure lovers this summer, with more details about each one.

Qiddiya: Where Records Are Set

In the heart of the Tuwaiq Mountains, about 45 kilometers west of Riyadh and 70 kilometers from King Khalid International Airport, Six Flags Qiddiya City officially opened on December 31, 2025, becoming the first park in the Arab region to carry this global brand and one of the largest entertainment projects backed by the Public Investment Fund under the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

The city spans an area of 320,000 square meters and includes 28 rides and entertainment experiences distributed across 6 different worlds, designed to take advantage of the surrounding mountain nature to create experiences difficult to replicate inside crowded cities.

The undisputed star of the city is the roller coaster 'Falcon Flight' (رحلة الصقر), which broke three world records at once: it is the tallest at 195 meters, equivalent to a 60-story building; the longest track at over 4.3 kilometers (about five Burj Khalifas placed horizontally); and the fastest, reaching nearly 250 kilometers per hour, comparable to Formula 1 cars, which the carriage reaches in less than 5 seconds from launch.

The ride requires the rider's height to be between 130 and 196 centimeters, and it is said that the sheer size of its track makes it visible from great distances. Alongside it, the city features the 'Sceptre' roller coaster with a speed of 127 km/h, height of 50 meters, and track length of about 800 meters; the 'Gyrospin' ride, which swings like a pendulum at a height equivalent to a Boeing 747 standing vertically; and the family roller coaster 'Rattler', inspired by old mining trains, at 118 km/h.

The city's entertainment system is completed by 'Aquarabia', the largest water park in the Middle East, which opened its doors last Eid al-Fitr (April 23, 2026) at a construction cost of 2.6 billion riyals, spanning an area exceeding 250,000 square meters (25 hectares) divided into 8 zones inspired by the Kingdom's environmental and natural diversity.

The park includes about 22 water rides and experiences designed by the global company WhiteWater, including 'Surftopia', the first wave pool for surfing in Saudi Arabia with levels suitable for beginners and professionals, along with children's areas such as 'Splash Grotto' and 'Zoom Zoom', and over 20 food and retail outlets. The summer season for both destinations kicked off together on July 2 of this month and will continue until September 22 next.

AlUla: Adventures Between Sand and Sky

AlUla, which officially describes itself as the largest open-air living museum in the world, combines the scent of history with the most thrilling experiences in the Kingdom. At sunrise, hot air balloons soar over Mada'in Saleh and its rock formations at an altitude of up to 1,200 meters, in private or shared flights led by an expert pilot who narrates the stories of the place, with hospitality including water, coffee, and dates before takeoff. For those who prefer a shorter experience, the 'Tethered Balloon' offers a calm 20-minute ride at 50 meters above Al Manshiyah Square.

As for higher-adrenaline enthusiasts, they await the 'AlUla Zipline', the longest and fastest of its kind in the Kingdom, with a track of 1.5 kilometers and speeds up to 120 km/h, where participants launch in the famous horizontal 'Superman' pose over rocky valleys. This experience is sometimes preceded by a more difficult challenge: the 'AlUla Ladder', climbing a suspended ladder to the mountain peak at a height of 45 meters after a 20-minute walk on a bridge fixed with metal cables at the mountain's edge, ending with an additional 100-meter zipline ride on the way back to the valley.

In another experience within the AlUla Skies Festival, the 'Giant Swing of AlUla' takes visitors to swing 70 meters between towering rocks after climbing 85 meters above ground.

AlUla's adventures are not limited to the air; there is rock climbing among historical canyons adorned with ancient inscriptions, helicopter tours over desert valleys, multi-level hiking trails with expert guides, including a 6-kilometer trail taking about 3 hours ascending to a hilltop overlooking the lush oasis and Wadi AlUla (minimum age 8 years), along with safari trips on rough desert roads in 4x4 vehicles, and rappelling from mountain peaks. The city celebrates every January with the 'AlUla Trail' running race, attracting professional and amateur runners of all ages.

Yanbu: The Depths of the Red Sea Await Divers

Yanbu holds the title of 'Diving Capital' in the Kingdom, providing an ideal marine environment that makes it a preferred choice for both beginners and experienced divers, thanks to its calm clear waters and coral reefs rich in marine life. Its most prominent site is the wreck of the British ship 'Iona', which dates back over a hundred years and collided with coral reefs before sinking, now turning into an exploratory dive site teeming with marine creatures and attracting shipwreck photography enthusiasts in particular.

The city is also famous for the 'Seven Reefs' site, which offers one of the best diving and underwater photography experiences in the country. Along its coast, there are certified diving centers with international licenses, offering training courses and sea trips at various levels, while the nearby Jeddah coast provides an easier alternative for those who prefer diving directly from the shore among shallower coral gardens. These activities are active annually within the 'Saudi Summer' events organized by the Saudi Tourism Authority along the western coast.

Asir: Flying Above the Clouds

Elevations exceeding 3,000 meters and air currents considered among the most suitable for this sport in the region have gradually transformed it from a limited individual hobby into an organized sport receiving increasing official and community attention, and its practice sites now expand to include Mahayel Asir and Rijal Almaa as well.

Flying over the Aqabat As-Samma road, which connects Al-Souda to the historic village of Rijal Almaa, offers a captivating view between mountains covered with ancient juniper trees and flowing fog, with an expanse of the Red Sea glimmering far behind the cloudy horizon.

Near this scene lies the village of Al Habala, globally nicknamed the 'Hanging Village', where its sandstone houses cling to the edge of a steep cliff. In the past, its residents could only reach it via rope ladders, before a modern cable car connected it to the bottom of the valley, covering a distance of 600 meters in a journey of 7 to 10 minutes, operating between May and October each year.