Saudi Arabia’s Cold Tourism in 2025

By 2025, Saudi Arabia’s cold tourism industry will create new avenues for exploring unusual winter travel destinations. The northern plains and mountainous areas will become magical settings.

This season, Saudi Arabia enters an enchanted realm where fog envelops the highlands of Al-Baha and the cloud-capped peaks of Asir vie with the expansive Tabuk plains. Additionally, the Saudi winter is now more than just a season; it is a popular travel destination that draws travellers looking for both leisure and adventure.

Likewise, warm emotions abound in the Kingdom despite the cold, and memories are interwoven throughout the verdant terraces and thick forests, creating a fresh narrative about a nation that can blend contrasting elements with captivating beauty. The combination of breathtaking natural scenery and authentic Arab hospitality presents a different side of the Kingdom to the world.

Get to Know Cold Tourism

A way to escape the summer heat and experience breathtaking nature is through cold tourism. As summer temperatures rise, many people start looking for places away from the oppressive humidity and blazing sun that offer cool breezes and peaceful, pleasant weather.

Cold tourism refers to travelling to nations with cool climates, even during the summer, rather than taking a holiday in hot spots. Moreover, cold-weather travel offers more than just a way to avoid the extreme heat; it’s a chance to take in breathtaking natural scenery, such as tall mountains, thick forests, and crystal-clear lakes, at prices that fit any budget.

There are differences among cold-weather travel destinations worldwide. Year-round mild weather is a plus for some. You could explore historic mountain villages or even unwind in picturesque resorts instead of crammed beaches.

Besides, the advantages extend beyond colder climates. Without the oppressive heat, there are plenty of fun things to do, like camping, hiking in the woods, or touring historical sites. From Europe to Asia and even some Arab countries that are either entirely or partially cold during the summer, cold tourism provides a wide range of choices.

Read more: KSA: The World’s Most Prominent Religious Tourism Destination

Top Tourist Destinations

The Kingdom becomes a serene and lovely holiday spot in the summer, with its southern areas being particularly well-suited as cool retreats. These regions, nestled between towering mountains and dense forests, provide a refreshing and appealing atmosphere, which makes Saudi Arabia a fantastic and unique travel destination.

Taif’s year-round moderate climate, which turns into a refreshing paradise in the summer, sets it atop the list of cool tourist destinations. It is well-known for the sweet aroma of roses that permeates the air and adorns its marketplaces and farms, providing a singular experience that blends charming scenery with a comfortable climate.

Abha, also known as the Bride of the South, has a semi-winter climate even in the summer because of its foggy highlands that are encircled by verdant terraces and forests that evoke the chilly parts of Europe.

The Asir region is no less stunning, particularly its cities like Namas, which awe visitors with their vibrant stone monuments, ancient palaces, and organic gardens that blend in perfectly with the majestic mountains.

In addition, the gardens and dense forests that hang from the mountainside in the Al Baha area are a masterwork. After rain, valleys flow through the area, producing the most exquisite and charming natural scenery. Amid the enchanted fog and verdant peaks, these locations provide a pleasant and refreshing climate and turn Kingdom tourism into an adventure where you can camp, hike through forests, or simply unwind in the middle of nature.

Read more: Al-Ula: The Epicentre of Global Tourism

Impact of Tourism in 2025

With 8,198 tourist hotel registrations in 2025—a 46% increase from 5,589 in 2024—the Kingdom saw impressive tourism growth. Makkah had the most registrations (3,230), followed by Riyadh (2,792), Madinah (the Eastern Province), and Asir.

In keeping with Vision 2030, this expansion shows how the tourism industry has advanced significantly as long as the appropriate authorities continue to assist investors and streamline processes to promote domestic travel.

Conclusively, cold tourism in Saudi Arabia boosts the Kingdom’s reputation as a travel destination worldwide and helps the nation’s tourism industry expand.

Read more: KSA Ranks 3rd Globally in International Tourism Growth in 2024