A seaplane banks low over the Red Sea at golden hour, its shadow skimming across water clear enough to reveal the coral reef below. Further out, a string of private islands stretches across the lagoon, dotted with overwater villas and quiet stretches of sand.
This is the kind of escape a long weekend can make possible. With Saudi National Day falling on Wednesday, September 23, this year’s holiday could create a four-day break, with Thursday potentially joining the usual Friday-Saturday weekend. It is a chance to step away from the usual routine and see a different side of the Kingdom, whether that means heading for the coast, the desert, the mountains, or somewhere closer to home.
Across Saudi Arabia, resorts and hotels are already preparing for the occasion. The options span Red Sea island escapes, desert stays in AlUla, wellness retreats in AMAALA, spiritual stays in Makkah, and long-weekend packages in Riyadh. From sea to sand and city to oasis, the Kingdom has plenty of ways to spend the break. The only question is where you want to wake up.
The Red Sea: Island Celebrations Worth the Travel
The Red Sea has set the standard for Saudi staycations, and National Day 2026 is no different. Six resorts are running dedicated National Day offers, and the range covers everything from Forbes Five-Star island luxury to desert coastal stays.
Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Nujuma’s National Day package is the most complete on this list. It includes a bespoke September 23 dinner at Sita, with stargazing, guided mangrove exploration, children’s programming, live cultural entertainment, and wellness sessions filling the days around it, all from a private villa on the Ummahat Islands.
St. Regis Red Sea Resort
For families and couples, the St. Regis is the ideal immersive Red Sea island experience. The National Day offer includes daily breakfast, an exclusive September 23 dinner with a lavish buffet of regional specialties, live carving stations, and traditional entertainment for children and adults alike.
Shebara Resort
Of all the Red Sea options on this list, Shebara sits on the most dramatic seascape. Stay three nights or more and receive 20% off your villa rate, with National Day traditions, local music, and wellbeing woven through the stay.
Turtle Bay Resort
Turtle Bay is the most accessible Red Sea option here. The offer includes twenty percent savings, daily breakfast, and complimentary access to Laha Beach, without trading the setting for the price. On September 23 and 25, Saudi Chef Ali Al-Ali takes over Luki Luma with a themed buffet of Hasawi Kabsa, Najdi Jareesh, and traditional Saudi sweets.
Desert Rock
Carved into the cliffs of the Hejaz mountains above the Red Sea coast, Desert Rock is one of the most visually striking destinations for a Saudi long weekend getaway. The National Day deal at 40% off includes a Saudi Majlis with Arabic coffee and dates, falconry in the Wadi, and the evening closing at Mica under open skies.
Six Senses Southern Dunes
For families who want their National Day long weekend focused on wellness, Six Senses Southern Dunes offers spa treatments, movement classes, and nutritional guidance against the dunes of the Red Sea’s inland edge. This holiday, you can get fifteen percent off the best flexible rate, daily breakfast for two, and complimentary shared transfers from Red Sea International Airport.
National Day in AlUla: The Chedi Hegra’s Celebration Dinner
No Saudi weekend getaways list is complete without AlUla. The Chedi Hegra is marking National Day with a multi-course sharing celebration menu at Prima Classe, available indoors or under the open sky, running through September 27, 2026. For a long weekend that combines one of Saudi Arabia’s most extraordinary landscapes with a dinner worth planning around, AlUla delivers the most atmospheric celebration on the list.
AMAALA’s National Day Offer: Cliffs, Spa, and the Red Sea
Built into the cliffs of Triple Bay on Saudi Arabia’s northwest coast, Six Senses AMAALA offers an immersive sanctuary where dramatic bay vistas meet sustainable design, secluded villas, and hands-on conservation experiences.
The National Day offer, available for stays between September 20 and 30, includes 15% off the best flexible rate, complimentary daily breakfast for two, and one 60-minute spa treatment for two guests. From biohacking treatments and sunrise yoga to slow-paced coastal exploration, AMAALA makes the long weekend feel genuinely restorative.
Riyadh: The Capital in Full Celebration Mode
For those who want the long weekend without leaving Riyadh, four properties are the go-to options for luxury staycations in Saudi Arabia through September.
SLS Riyadh
SLS Riyadh brings its signature energy to the National Day long weekend with up to 25% off suites and villas for stays between September 20 and 26, with a minimum three-night stay and breakfast included.
Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre
Four Seasons offers a luxury experience at one of the city’s most iconic addresses. With 20% off room rates, residents can experience a Forbes Five-Star address at a more accessible price point. From the Kingdom Tower, the city spreads out beneath you, and the Four Seasons standard holds through every part of the stay.
Fairmont Riyadh
Celebrate Saudi National Day with Fairmont Ramla Riyadh. Experience a festive getaway celebrating Saudi pride, heritage, and timeless traditions with traditional music, decorations, and cuisine.
Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel
Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel, is marking the 96th National Day with breakfast for two, exclusive dining and spa savings, and curated National Day experiences throughout the stay.
Makkah: A Spiritual Celebration of the Kingdom
Two Makkah properties are marking National Day with offers that combine luxury accommodation with direct access to the Holy Mosque. This combination makes the category unlike anything else on the Saudi staycation list.
Jumeirah Jabal Omar Makkah
Save up to 20% on a minimum two-night stay at Jumeirah Jabal Omar with daily breakfast and flexible cancellation, valid through September 30. On September 23 itself, guests can add lunch or dinner at Patras restaurant for SAR 96 per person, a rare, well-priced occasion meal in a setting that overlooks the Grand Mosque.
Raffles Makkah Palace
For those who want to mark National Day in a context that connects Saudi identity to its deepest roots, Raffles Makkah is the most meaningful option on this list. Get 20% off the best available rate for a minimum two-night stay, with complimentary breakfast, access to the most luxurious private prayer room, Raffles Butler Service, and views of the Kaaba, the Holy Haram, or the sacred city.
Book Before the Long Weekend Arrives
On September 23, Saudi Arabia will come alive. As evening falls, green lights will spread across skylines, flags will line the streets, and families will head out to celebrate. Riyadh will light up, Jeddah’s Corniche will fill with people, and fireworks will carry across the cities. National Day, though, can be just as memorable from an overwater villa, a tent in AlUla, or a mountain retreat that lets you truly experience the beauty of the Kingdom.
For everything else you need to know about the 96th National Day theme, the celebrations, and what September 23 looks like across Saudi cities, our Saudi National Day 2026 guide has the full picture. And for anyone still working out the holiday dates and long weekend possibilities, the National Day 2026 holiday guide breaks it all down.
A few days away can turn a national celebration into a chance to see a different side of the Kingdom, and plenty of places are waiting to make the long weekend memorable. The best Saudi holiday resorts fill quickly. If one has caught your eye, now is the time to book.
FAQs
What are the best staycation deals for National Day in Saudi Arabia in 2026?
Top staycation deals include Desert Rock (40% off with live entertainment), Nujuma Ritz-Carlton Reserve (full immersive package including stargazing, cultural programming, and a bespoke September 23 dinner), St. Regis Red Sea (exclusive National Day dinner with traditional entertainment), and Six Senses AMAALA (15% off plus a 60-minute spa treatment). Riyadh and Makkah options add further range.
Is Saudi National Day 2026 a long weekend?
September 23 falls on a Wednesday, with Friday and Saturday as the regular weekend. A potential additional Thursday holiday could create a four-day break, though this hasn’t been officially confirmed yet.
What are the best luxury staycation options in Saudi Arabia for National Day?
For luxury staycations in Saudi Arabia over National Day, Nujuma Ritz-Carlton Reserve and St. Regis Red Sea lead the island category. Six Senses AMAALA is the premium wellness choice. In Riyadh, Four Seasons at Kingdom Centre and SLS stand out. Raffles Makkah Palace offers luxury in an unmatched spiritual setting.
What is the most affordable Saudi long weekend getaway for National Day?
Desert Rock is running the steepest discount at 40% off. Followed by Turtle Bay Resort and Shebara Resort at 20% off. Six Senses Southern Dunes offers 15% off plus complimentary transfers from Red Sea International Airport. In Riyadh, Four Seasons offers 20% off a Forbes Five-Star stay.
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This article is brought to you by Soul of Saudi (a Saudi travel blog dedicated to uncovering the beauty, heart, and soul of the Kingdom).
