Safety in Saudi Arabia: what overland travellers should know

Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 16 September 2026.

Safety

Mecca closed to non-Muslims — Non-Muslims face an absolute ban on entering the city of Mecca, and the road towards it forces non-Muslims to take a compulsory exit. There can be checkpoints, so do not go beyond the limits marked on the road signs. Non-Muslims may enter Medina, except the area near the Haram Grand Mosque containing the Prophet's Tomb, which is also reserved for Muslims.
Northern border ban — Since 21 November 2015 the authorities have banned access to the entire area within 20 km of the country's northern border and, in the Eastern Province, to the strip running from the border to Hafar Al Batin and Khafji. The ban is signposted on the busier road sections.
Yemen border provinces — Do not travel to the border area between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Since July 2026 a series of Houthi attacks has hit infrastructure and energy and oil plants in the provinces of Jazan, Najran and Aseer, causing injuries, and the ministry says to weigh extremely carefully any need to go to those three provinces.
Missiles and sirens — Missile launches onto Saudi territory have recurred since the Yemen conflict began in 2015, particularly but not only in the southern regions of Asir and Jazan, and oil and energy installations have been hit repeatedly by missiles and drones. Civil defence sirens are tested regularly: if the alarm sounds, stay inside buildings away from glass and follow the instructions put out by the authorities. Avoid the regions where energy and petrochemical infrastructure is concentrated, and never film around security installations or military structures.
Other sensitive areas — There are further public order and security risks in the border zones with Iraq and Bahrain and in regions mainly inhabited by Shia communities, such as the Qatif area. The most significant recent unrest has been in the Eastern Province.
Terrorism — Government action against terrorism has been effective, but attacks still happen occasionally, including against foreigners — a bomb went off during a commemoration at the non-Islamic cemetery in Jeddah on 11 November 2020, wounding several people. Security checks are frequent at sensitive sites such as airports, large shopping centres and crowded places. Avoid the immediate surroundings of mosques, particularly on Fridays, at weekends, during religious festivals and throughout Ramadan.

Before you rely on this

This is our summary of advice written by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Italian travellers, published on 16 September 2026. We summarise in good faith, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials at the border, not by websites. Always read the original source and the travel advice your own government publishes for Saudi Arabia before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.

Source: Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated 16 September 2026. Last checked by GuideMeet on 2026-09-20.