Journey Through Saudi Arabia - Travel Documentary

Saudi Arabia has been at the crossroads of civilizations for centuries, and is a diverse and fascinating travel destination. It is known as the heartland of Islam, but also offers a variety of vibrant urban centers, ancient historic sites, stunning natural scenery, tasty food, and friendly, welcoming people.
The country has long been a mystery to outsiders, but in recent years has opened its borders to independent travelers. In this video, I take you back to one of my favorite journeys, in December 2019, when I had the chance to travel through Saudi Arabia for 2,5 weeks.
From the modern streets of capital city Riyadh to the tranquil islands of Umluj. From the desert landscapes of Al Ula and the Edge of the World to the ruins of the fortified city of Khaybar. From the sacred streets of Medina to the beautiful coastline of Jeddah. And from the massive date trading complex in Buraidah to the grounds of a traditional camel race.
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Instagram: / stefhoffer
Facebook: / stefhoffer
Copyright of all footage: Hoffer Media
Here’s a brief overview of the content in this video:
We start our journey in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. While it’s a political and economic centre, it also brims with culture and history. Contrasts are visible at almost every corner, making it a interesting place to explore. Not far from Riyadh is the Edge of the World, one of the country’s most beautiful natural sights.
We briefly stop in Buraidah, famous for its massive dates trading complex, and continue our way to Al UIa, home to some of Saudi Arabia’s most surreal scenery. After exploring the friendly town (with the same name), we stumble upon a local camel race. This ancient sport is still widely popular, and attending a race is a spectacular experience.
Our next destination is the ancient city of Khaybar, where we explore the ruins of this former Jewish stronghold. It’s an imposing, and somewhat daunting site. From here, it’s a few hours drive to the Umluj area, nicknamed as the ‘Maldives of Saudi Arabia’. Known for its unspoiled islands and beautiful beaches, it is destined to become a popular tourist hub.
We travel further to Medina, known as the City of the Prophet, and considered the second holiest city in Islam. It’s fascinating to walk the streets and meet Muslims from all over the world, that come to Medina on the most important spiritual journey of their lives.
Via the highway to Mecca (where we are not allowed to visit), we reach Jeddah, the second largest city in Saudi Arabia. It’s a huge commercial and economic center, and often described as more liberal that other places in the country.
Timestamps / video chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:32 Riyadh
6:46 Edge of the World
10:23 Buraidah
11:47 Al Ula
13:34 Camel races
16:36 Khaybar
18:01 Umluj
20:50 Medina
25:30 Mecca
26:16 Jeddah
32:31 End

[@PilotWanderlust]

Great documentary! Thanks a lot for sharing! I will visit Saudi Arabia for the first time in November. Already excited 🙂

[@chillout914]

you are very welcome

[@q2ic]

Welcome to Saudi brother

[@IbrahemAlbanawi]

Awesome and good that you will come in November because it will be a whole lot cooler then

[@ahmedsattar1359]

Me too

[@MUMMY9ful]

You guys are very welcome ♥️🇸🇦👍🏻

[@luciennelaporte1520]

I love this country! It has been my home for 16 years!

[@DUOLUVLIPA]

Same. But I’ve been here for 4 yrs

[@user-fz8qi2zo8s]

@@DUOLUVLIPA you all welcome gays ✋🏻💚

[@-x1984_]

​@@user-fz8qi2zo8sمثليين؟؟

[@-x1984_]

​@@user-fz8qi2zo8sيا بلوي انت ايش تقول؟؟!!

[@bbbaaa-cu2ro]

LOVE TO SAUDIA ARABIA FROM NORTHERN PAKISTAN

[@hh_hussain]

We love you too. Pakistani people so friendly and welcoming ❤

[@bbbaaa-cu2ro]

@@hh_hussain thank you my friend
Love back ❤️
At least ai am a Muslim

[@-x1984_]

I also wish to visit Kashmir Pakistan ❤🇸🇦🇵🇰❤

[@bbbaaa-cu2ro]

@@-x1984_
Welcome 🙏
But don't support Indians

[@zerxilk8169]

We want to encourage Saudi Arabia to take care of yourselves with lots of water and good food. We wish you all the best.

[@a.d.y8499]

Wonderful to watch, it's always a delight to see a new upload from you!

[@fleurh4391]

Enjoyed this very much. Amazing footage as always❤

[@joserenato9200]

Excellent documentary. Congratulations

[@ryN50]

Welcome to Saudi arabia 💚

[@jillcox6685]

A brilliant documentary about a country of which I had no knowledge about apart from where to find on a map and occasional mention, often negative, on the news.
Thoroughly enjoyed your high quality video.

[@Youraveragebag]

Thank you for acknowledging the negative views on us. The entire world likes to hate in us and call us out in negative ways.

[@BESTOFTHEBEST123]

Keep up the good work brother watching from Bangladesh 🇧🇩 👍

[@YahyaAlahal]

Thank you a lot Stef! I really enjoy watching your video. One of the best here on RUclips!

[@zuhrinazamahmad9980]

thank you for sharing this amazing travel documentary of yours. saudi arabia surely has much more to offer than just the two holy mosques. I've been to the mecca and medina several times already, as well as to jeddah and riyadh for work with no intention to explore other places. after watching your documentary, i now made it an intention to visit those places too. thank you.

[@chietbrink3977]

Beautiful travel film again !!!
You make your films open minded and in combination with the good images it is really a great video !!!!!

[@IbrahemAlbanawi]

Amazing Video thanks for making it these types of videos are always nice because it shows people the truth and the real Saudi Arabia

[@sajedakhan133]

A very good documentary brother i wish to visit it atleast once iin my life.❤ SAUDI ARABIA❤

[@Richard_Rivers]

Saudi citizens are so friendly ❤

[@LittleTut]

Great to see an uploaded video from you Stef! Love your documentary as always. 😊👍🏽

[@1Naif]

Enjoyed the video ❤ Thank you.

[@earthpeoplechurchforhumani9456]

Another drone feast. Thank you!

[@yasinmuzeyan4543]

I'm so appreciated your videos, keep discovering bro❤❤❤❤

[@esaprakasa]

Thank you Stef for the amazing travel video. One of my dream is visiting Mecca dan Medina for Umrah and Hajj 🙏

[@ZHJ676]

beautiful video mashallah Thank you so much for showing 🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@orlannerab451]

the best video

[@Shanushamsi]

Very Informative❤

[@shahidsaleem9856]

I love ksa

[@oFaisalo]

Thank You for Sharing this, but how is this video 9h ago, a lot of the videos you are showing are 2019 even 2017, for example the KAFD Skyscrapers in Riyadh, in your video they are on construction while now in 2024 they are completed. So Weird 😵‍💫.

[@hishammozaffar2589]

He uploaded the video today....but I think he mentioned in the beginning that it includes sections from earlier trip(s) as well.

[@ep9321]

Randy’s donuts made it out there :)

[@pinakisdreamandthought1635]

Valueable content... request for uploading more videos.....I am from India

[@sundypontay2896]

Nice vedio pls. try to visit in our beautiful country Philippines.

[@azoz2031]

👍👍👍

[@jinendragalappaththy8569]

👍❤️

[@Leelavadee975]

👍👍👍❤❤❤

[@ashutoshshukla1283]

Waw

[@Tyler.0T7]

This is a nice video and viewpoint of Saudi, however so much has changed, this is quite out of date.

[@havingalook2]

I enjoyed that very very much. I was hoping you would have spoke more about the foods and native cuisines. I also wished to learn more about dress - men cannot wear short pants? I believe there some strick dress codes?

[@Kanzan11]

men can wear shorts it was banned back then but now its ok a lot of rules have been changed the only thing is for women they have a dress code just to cover legs (trousers) and shoulders so no shorts for women, they can wear a t-shirt and trousers but men 100% can wear shorts

[@user-fz8qi2zo8s]

Bro you have phone on your hand and there is internet so you will find answers for your questions

[@waleedshd2601]

what year did take the video?
it's old video at least before 5 years

[@user-se6zd3gk1z]

am from egypt

[@user-lg5zi1ki1o]

Kingdom saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 is the holy country in the world

[@DonnellOkafor-pd7yn]

For Muslims

[@bedrrifai887]

Thank you for sharing, Medina was very beautiful. I hope to visit the Prophet's mosque

[@user-tt5gf2de1l]

التصوير قديم كيف نازل قبل ٣ ايام انا شايف نفس الفديو قبل سنتين

[@ladjimimehdi4636]

What do u think about money opportunity

[@wilsha]

Please sponsor me to visit any country. I was born and raised in Kenya and have never been outside my country. Money is the problem 😭

[@star_wizard2792]

ebu enda katufute pesa ata kwa maandamano we!

[@theunknownguy265]

🇸🇦🤎

[@Destinavigator]

🎉 Nice video. I hope in the future, my Small Travel Channel can grow yours. Maby you have some tips? 😢

[@d.avraba889]

What's so off-putting about this country..is that a non Muslim is prohibited from visiting one of its cities ! I would understand the reticence at having a non believer in a church, synagogue or mosque but to prevent entrance to Mecca is simply disrespectful to others.

[@reichen609]

Can women travel there for leisure and come back home safe and alive? 😕

[@user-fz8qi2zo8s]

Saudi Arabia is safest country for women in the world more than Europe and USA

[@defreem]

💀

[@joegana3566]

Selfish bastasd spread the money to poor countries

[@user-iz4rx9zs4q]

😂😂😂😂 wow

[@d.avraba889]

What's so off-putting about this country..is that a non Muslim is prohibited from visiting one of its cities ! I would understand the reticence at a non believer in a church, synagogue or mosque but to prevent entrance to Mecca is simply disrespectful to others.