Beyond the Dakar Rally, Saudi Arabia reveals its hidden treasures – between ancient caravan routes, rock tombs, and warm hospitality.
The 2026 Dakar Rally was a real thriller right up to the last minute. In the motorcycle classification, two seconds decided the victory in the end – after almost 50 hours of competitive riding time! It was incredible how close this duel between Luciano Benavides and Ricky Brabec was. Congratulations to Benavides and KTM, who prevailed after a thrilling finale. Brabec rode like a two-time Dakar champion until his decisive mistake. It was a duel at the highest level. In the car category, Nasser Al-Attiyah once again demonstrated his class. With his experience and perfect sense of terrain and pace, he delivered a flawless rally. No real slip-ups, no hectic moments – just world-class routine.
The duel between Dacia and Ford promises to remain exciting in the future. Added to this are Toyota, Century, and X-raid Mini. The Ultimate class is booming. It has developed into one of the most exciting motorsport categories.
The rally made its seventh appearance in Saudi Arabia. I myself was able to visit the country for the third time in the first week. My impressions are confirmed every time: the people are incredibly friendly, open, and curious about visitors.
Away from the rally, our small tour group took the opportunity to get to know the country better. Saudi Arabia is not yet a tourist hotspot—fortunately. This allows you to experience the country unadulterated, with its history, culture, and way of life.
Yanbu: a port city with 2,500 years of history
The start and finish of the rally was Yanbu, a port city on the Red Sea with a population of around 350,000. Its history goes back over 2,500 years: once an important base on the spice route to the Mediterranean, it later became a stopover for Lawrence of Arabia.
Today, Yanbu is the country’s second most important port after Jeddah. The old town with its historic buildings and traditional market still tells the story of this eventful past.
Even outside the city, history is encountered at every turn: we came across the remains of an old caravan market – a place that once pulsated with life and now quietly tells of days gone by.
And yes, camels are indeed part of the street scene here. Signs along the highways warn of crossing animals, and you often see entire herds roaming through the desert. An impressive sight for us Europeans.
From Yanbu, we continued on to Al-‘Ula. If you’re wondering how much a liter of gasoline costs in Saudi Arabia: about 53 cents. As we drove north, the climate changed too – oppressive 30 degrees Celsius on the Red Sea, a pleasant 20 degrees in Al-‘Ula, and even a cool 8 degrees at night.
Al-‘Ula: Rock tombs and UNESCO World Heritage Site
Al-‘Ula tells its story in spectacular fashion. The rock tombs of Hegra, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the famous Elephant Rock are impressive testimonies to past millennia.
Between the old mud-brick buildings of the old town, a promenade with cafes and small shops invites visitors to linger. It is a charming place, framed by monumental rocks and thus an impressive backdrop. On the way to the next stage, we reached Ha’il, an oasis city of around 450,000 inhabitants that has grown rapidly in recent years. High above the city towers the 17th-century A’arif Fort.
It is built of clay and has only recently been opened to visitors. The architecture is simple but fascinating compared to European castles. Highly recommended is the Alsroor Museum, a living open-air museum that authentically showcases the traditional lifestyle of the region. Here you can experience how crafts, cooking, and community have shaped Saudi life for generations.
The cuisine was not neglected either. Dates are everywhere, of course. My highlight was a traditional rice dish with camel meat. The north of Saudi Arabia is well worth a visit. I have captured some impressions in this photo gallery. This time, my detour to the capital Riyadh was limited to the airport.
The modern metropolis with its skyscrapers is a stark contrast to the rest of the country. For me, it’s not just the exciting competitions that remain in my memory, but also the intense encounters with a country in transition. Saudi Arabia surprises with its diversity, its people, and moments that linger. That’s exactly what makes the Dakar so special for me every year.
