Safest cities in Saudi Arabia
25 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
Areas the UK FCDO advises against visiting
- Saudi Arabia-Yemen border
In full or in part — the official advisory lists exact boundaries and exceptions.
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in Saudi ArabiaTerrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Saudi Arabia.
Conflict affecting Lebanon
- Ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon could escalate quickly and pose risks for the wider region.
Political situation
- Public demonstrations are illegal. Avoid any protest or demonstration and follow the advice of local authorities.
Crime
- The crime rate in Saudi Arabia is low, but there is petty crime. There have also been more serious crimes, including crimes against women. Take care when travelling outside towns and cities.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDYou must always carry ID. You can get a fine or prison sentence if you do not have any.
- RamadanRamadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. Ramadan in Saudi Arabia started on 18 February in 2026 and will last for 30 days. During this time, do not:
- Dress codeMen and women must wear loose-fitting clothing that covers the elbow and below the knees.
- ReligionIt is illegal to practise any religion other than Islam. However, the Saudi authorities accept private practice of other religions.
- Alcohol laws and bansDo not bring alcohol into Saudi Arabia or arrive under the influence of alcohol.
- Illegal drugs penaltiesThere is zero tolerance for drug offences in Saudi Arabia, and the penalties are severe. If you’re arrested for drug offences, you may have a long period of detention before trial. You can get a prison sentence of up to 5 years and a fine of 30,000 Saudi riyals for possessing even small amounts. Drug dealing and smuggling can result in a death…
- Sexual relations outside of marriageSex outside of marriage and adultery are illegal, including for tourists. In the most serious circumstances (for example, those involving Saudi nationals) the penalties could include custodial sentences or deportation. There are special arrangements for visitors, and unmarried tourists may share hotel rooms.
- Pregnancy outside of marriageIf you or your partner becomes pregnant outside marriage in Saudi Arabia, you could both face penalties including imprisonment and deportation. However, in practice, legal action is uncommon.
- Filming, photography and other media restrictionsIt is illegal to film or photograph government buildings, diplomatic premises, military installations and palaces.
- Public statements and criticismIt is illegal to say publicly anything that the Saudi authorities deem disruptive to public order. Avoid making comments verbally or on social media on the topics below:
- Carrying 2 passportsIt is illegal to have 2 passports in your name in Saudi Arabia. Immigration authorities will take additional passports. You must leave Saudi Arabia using the passport you entered on.
- Legal system and due processThe Saudi legal system differs from the UK, for example:
- Unpaid debts and other financial crimesYou can get a fine, prison sentence or travel ban, or face deportation for financial crimes, including:
- Travel bansThe Saudi authorities may stop you from leaving the country for:
- DeportationIf you’re found guilty of an offence and sentenced to over 3 months in prison, the Saudi authorities can deport you. Sometimes the authorities deport people with shorter sentences, regardless of whether the judgement included deportation. If you’re employed in Saudi Arabia, deportation will impact your employment and may affect your ability to…
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex relations are illegal, although legal action is uncommon. All couples should be aware of local customs and avoid showing affection in public.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you’re planning to drive in Saudi Arabia, see information on driving abroad.
- Sea travelVessels operating in the Gulf of Oman, Northern Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and Bab El Mandeb areas may be at increased risk of attack by pirates. See piracy and armed robbery at sea.
- Air travelAbha International Airport: The last incident was in 2022 when a number of Houthi led attacks targeted Abha International Airport, resulting in multiple civilian injuries and one death.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- FloodingHeavy rains from November to February can cause flooding. Use the internet to check weather forecasts. In a flood, follow Civil Defence advice or call them on 998.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Saudi Arabia, updated 2026-07-25 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 0.8 /100k2024
- Income inequality
- no data
- Human development
- HDI 0.9002023
- Income
- $74,400/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 35.9 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 65/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 61/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 57/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 3.1/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.74GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 73.5 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- no dataof population · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 3.4 doctors /1k2.4 hospital beds per 1,000
- Malaria
- 0 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only
Natural hazards
- Drought
- 5.0/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Flood
- 4.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Earthquake
- 1.8/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized in Saudi Arabia, with the death penalty applying in law (as of 2025). This describes the law on the books, not necessarily enforcement practice.
How Saudi Arabia compares
| Measure | Saudi Arabia | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.8 /100k | 2.4 /100k | −1.6 /100k — better for Saudi Arabia |
| Income inequality (Gini) | no data | 35.2 | — |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.900 | 0.763 | +0.137 — better for Saudi Arabia |
| Road deaths | 35.9 /100k | 15.4 /100k | +20.5 /100k — better for World median |
| Rule of law | 61/100 | 52/100 | +9/100 — better for Saudi Arabia |
| Corruption perceptions | 57/100 | 39/100 | +18/100 — better for Saudi Arabia |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 73.5 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | +53.8 µg/m³ — better for World median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 3.1/10 | 3.8/10 | −0.7/10 — better for Saudi Arabia |
| Measure | Saudi Arabia | Asia median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.8 /100k | 1.8 /100k | −1.0 /100k — better for Saudi Arabia |
| Income inequality (Gini) | no data | 33.5 | — |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.900 | 0.766 | +0.134 — better for Saudi Arabia |
| Road deaths | 35.9 /100k | 14.9 /100k | +21.0 /100k — better for Asia median |
| Rule of law | 61/100 | 52/100 | +9/100 — better for Saudi Arabia |
| Corruption perceptions | 57/100 | 35/100 | +23/100 — better for Saudi Arabia |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 73.5 µg/m³ | 26.7 µg/m³ | +46.8 µg/m³ — better for Asia median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 3.1/10 | 3.7/10 | −0.6/10 — better for Saudi Arabia |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 25 cities, safest first
- Riyadh85.7 · #186 worldwide
- Jeddah85.7 · #187 worldwide
- Dammam85.7 · #188 worldwide
- Medina85.7 · #189 worldwide
- Al Ahsa85.7 · #190 worldwide
- Tabuk85.7 · #191 worldwide
- Khamis Mushayt85.7 · #192 worldwide
- At Ta'if85.7 · #193 worldwide
- Hafar Al-Batin85.7 · #194 worldwide
- Zahrat Laban85.7 · #195 worldwide
- Ha'il85.7 · #196 worldwide
- `Ar`ar85.7 · #197 worldwide
- Unaizah85.7 · #198 worldwide
- Buraydah85.7 · #199 worldwide
- Hayy as Salihiyah85.7 · #200 worldwide
- As Sayh85.7 · #201 worldwide
- Al Hawiyah85.7 · #202 worldwide
- Yanbu`85.7 · #203 worldwide
- Abha85.7 · #204 worldwide
- الفاروق85.7 · #205 worldwide
- Sakaka85.7 · #206 worldwide
- Al Qurayyat85.7 · #207 worldwide
- Mecca71.6 · #3227 worldwide
- Ash Sharai71.6 · #3228 worldwide
- Najran67.2 · #3771 worldwide