About Us

"True home of Arabia"

Rich History of Saudi Arabia

History

The history of these lands dates back millenia and speaks of many transformative events that completely changed the region with various cultural and religious influences. Ancient civilizations like the Thamud, Nabateans and Lihyanites once resided in the peninsula. Being located at the crossroads of the Indian, Persian and Mediterranean continents, it often welcomed visitors from different and distant lands.

The most influential event in the history of Saudi Arabia was the founding of Islam during the 7th century. According to the Quran, the Prophet was shown revelations by Allah at Mecca. After the Prophet's passing, many rulers like Umayyad and Abbasid founded Islamic Caliphates and ruled the lands.

After defeating the Ottomans who ruled during the 19th century, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was finally formed in 1932 with Riyadh as its capital.

Embracing Local Culture

Culture

Saudi culture is deeply influenced by Islamic culture and Bedouin roots. The unwavering faith and family values are the main pillars of this tourist attraction that make Saudi a standout place to explore. As per the traditions, families in Saudi Arabia are very tightly knit and you can even see extended families living under one roof. Another strong tradition in Saudi Arabia is hospitality which is called 'Daif'.

Guests are treated in a kingly manner and always offered food and refreshments like coffee. Even at social gatherings, coffee is consumed as it's an integral part of the social traditions and it reflects societal norms. When it comes to delicacy, the Saudi Cuisine is quite meaty and you find a wide assortment of kebabs, shawarmas, mandi and desserts like Baklava and dates.

Languages

Arabic is the official language of the country and also the first language of all its citizens. It is also the official language of 21 other countries which together make up the Arab League. Classic Arabic, A.K.A. Fus-ha is also the language used in the Quran. There are several dialects of Arabic spoken throughout the country. The Najdi and Hejazi dialects are the most prevalent. The coastal regions see a majority of people using the Gulf Arabic dialect.

Apart from Arabic there are many minority languages spoken across the lands. Tagalog, Rohingya, Urdu and Egyptian Arabic are the most common. However, being a tourist you need not worry as English is understood and spoken by most locals here. Establishments like restaurants, malls and hotels have qualified staff to help you out.

Currency and Payment

Currency

The national currency of Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Riyal, denoted by 'SAR'. A 100 Halals make up one SAR. The coin denominations are 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 Halala along with 1 and 2 SAR. Paper notes are available with the denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 SAR. To ensure clarity, we have provided the currency exchange value of Saudi Riyal to Indian Rupees and United States Dollars.

Saudi Riyal (SAR)	Indian Rupees (INR)	United States Dollars (USD)
1 SAR	INR 22.26	0.27 USD
5 SAR	INR 111.29	1.33 USD
10 SAR	INR 222.58	2.67 USD
20 SAR	INR 445.15	5.33 USD
50 SAR	INR 1,112.89	13.33 USD
100 SAR	INR 2,225.77	26.66 USD
200 SAR	INR 4,451.54	53.31 USD
500 SAR	INR 11,128.85	133.28 USD

(Note: The exchange rate may fluctuate with time due to various factors)

Apart from this, credit cards issued by MasterCard and VISA can also be used in diverse commercial places like restaurants, shops, malls and hotels. Alternatively, ATMs are also scattered throughout the country from where you withdraw cash when required. The modern population also uses e-wallets like ApplePay and GooglePay for seamless online transactions.

Shopping in Saudi Arabia

Shopping

Saudi Arabia is a shopaholic's wildest fantasy come true. It is a perfect mix of modern and traditional shopping where you can find many traditional souks and also visit the most modern and upscale brand stores.

If you'd like to shop for local goods and souvenirs, the Al Madina Souq is a great choice. It is located in the heart of the city of Jeddah. The labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways are filled with vendors selling unique local items. You can find great clothing, perfumes, jewellery and spices here.

If malls are your thing then you must visit the Mall of Arabia which is the largest and most modern in the country. It is also in Jeddah and has many shops, restaurants and entertainment options.