Filming in Saudi Arabia offers extraordinary outdoor locations. This guide highlights the top Saudi Arabia film locations and explains how to secure a filming permit through GCAM, supported by experts like Saudi Film Permit for smooth production planning.
There is a very specific moment when a filmmaker steps into Saudi Arabia for the first time. It is that quiet pause where your eyes widen and you realise the country is nothing like the clichés you have imagined. The landscapes here feel enormous. The colours feel richer. The silence feels cinematic. Filming in Saudi Arabia gives you something that very few destinations still offer: genuine, untouched beauty.
Every outdoor space in the Kingdom carries a different personality. Some locations feel ancient and wise. Others feel dramatic and unpredictable. Some are so calm that even a simple wide shot carries emotional weight. These are the kinds of places that change how films look on screen.
And because the country takes filmmaking seriously, you also need to understand the process of applying for permits. Many production houses, especially international ones, choose to work with teams like Saudi Film Permit, simply because navigating GCAM and regional approvals becomes easier when you have someone who already knows the system.
So let us walk through the outdoor gems of the Kingdom and then explore what it actually takes to film in Saudi Arabia the right way.
1. The Empty Quarter Rub al Khali: Stand here for two seconds and you will understand why directors love it. The Empty Quarter stretches endlessly, a golden desert that moves with the wind and changes personality depending on the sun. This is not just a filming location. It is an emotional setting.
Scenes involving journeys, survival, transformation, or solitude come alive instantly here. Drone footage looks unreal. Wide shots feel enormous. If your story needs silence or scale, the Empty Quarter is where your camera will feel most powerful.
2. Al Ula: Some locations impress you. Then there is Al Ula. This place stops you in your tracks. Ancient tombs carved into cliffs. Rock formations shaped by centuries of wind. Archaeological wonders that feel alive.
Al Ula is one of the most iconic Saudi Arabia film locations because every angle looks like a masterpiece. You are literally filming on history. The light changes beautifully across the stones. Shadows create natural drama. No artificial set can compete with this.
Several major global productions have already chosen this location, supported by the incredibly active AlUla Film Commission. For filmmakers, the experience is a blend of awe and practicality.
3. The Red Sea Coast: If your film needs water, light, colour, or life, the Red Sea Coast gives you everything. It is a vibrant mix of coral reefs, small islands, calm beaches, and clear water.
Underwater filming here is genuinely breathtaking. Coral formations look like floating gardens. Above water, the coastline shifts from peaceful to dramatic depending on time of day. It is perfect for documentaries, travel films, action scenes, or anything visual that relies on movement and reflection.
The Red Sea Coast brings both serenity and energy to a frame.
4. Asir National Park: Mention Asir to someone who imagines Saudi Arabia as only desert and watch their surprise. This region is green, cool, and full of life. Mountain peaks covered in mist. Valleys with wildlife. Forests echoing with birds.
Asir National Park is a gift for nature focused productions. The variety of textures allows filmmakers to create emotional contrast. Morning fog, lush greenery, distant mountain silhouettes — all of these elements add a cinematic calm that is rare in the region.
This is where nature becomes your supporting actor.
5. Historic Diriyah: Diriyah feels like walking into a storybook. Mud brick walls. Narrow walkways. Warm earthy tones. Cultural heritage in every direction.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is perfect for documentary filming, cultural storytelling, historical dramas, and scenes that require authenticity. The architecture holds its own on camera. It creates atmosphere without any special effects or artificial enhancements.
Diriyah gives films a heartbeat of tradition.
6. Najran’s Mud Brick Forts: Najran is one of those places where architecture and storytelling blend perfectly. The mud brick forts here carry old tribal stories and craftsmanship that still stands strong. The earthy colours and sculpted shapes add cultural depth to any frame.
Filming in Najran feels like capturing history in motion. If your film explores heritage, identity, or ancient lifestyles, this region will elevate your entire visual narrative.
7. The Edge of the World Jebel Fihrayn: This location is drama in its purest form. A towering cliff that feels like the planet simply stops. When you stand here, the view stretches endlessly, almost overwhelming in its beauty.
Directors love this place for emotional turning points, introspective scenes, character growth moments, and epic establishing shots. The natural lighting and composition do half the cinematography for you.
8. The Farasan Islands: Farasan is a quiet paradise. Crystal blue water. White sand. Mangroves. Coral reefs. Everything here feels soft, calm, and cinematic.
These islands are ideal for marine documentaries, peaceful escape scenes, travel content, or any project wanting a tropical tone. Drone shots over the islands look almost unreal.
Farasan is one of those places that filmmakers instantly fall in love with.
Once you fall in love with the locations, the next step is making sure you can actually film there without complications. The permitting system in the Kingdom is organised and structured, but it does require accuracy and clarity.
This is why many film crews work with teams like Saudi Film Permit, especially because they already understand local requirements and GCAM processes.
The General Commission for Audiovisual Media, also known as GCAM, is the primary and central authority responsible for issuing a Saudi film permit. Whether your production is in Al Ula, the Red Sea, Diriyah, or any other region, the final approval always goes through GCAM.
In addition to GCAM, certain locations may involve regional film authorities, environmental protection offices, tourism departments, or local municipalities. Companies like Saudi Film Permit help navigate this network smoothly, avoiding surprises or delays.
This includes your filming purpose, crew details, locations, equipment, and timelines. The clearer your proposal, the faster everything moves.
This usually includes:
GCAM checks your content for cultural sensitivities, environmental rules, and safety requirements. Approval timing changes depending on complexity but well organised applications receive quicker decisions.
Many filmmakers rely on Saudi Film Permit to handle all preparation so that nothing gets missed.
Outdoor locations often require additional approvals.
Examples include:
Every region has its own rules. Having professional location scouting support can prevent long delays and unnecessary negotiations.
Saudi Film Permit frequently handles these multi-layer approvals for international crews.
Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Local Crew for Filming in Saudi Arabia
1. Local Representation: Working with a local fixer or team ensures cultural understanding and smooth communication.
2. Cultural Sensitivities: Saudi Arabia has strong cultural guidelines. All productions must respect them. GCAM reviews content carefully for this.
3. Environmental Regulations: Productions must protect wildlife, natural formations, historical sites, and environmentally sensitive areas.
Many foreign crews collaborate with Saudi Film Permit to ensure their entire production remains legally compliant and culturally respectful.
Saudi Arabia is a filmmaker’s dream. Golden deserts that look infinite. Ancient cities carved into stone. Deep blue oceans. Mountain peaks that disappear into mist. Tropical islands that look untouched. Filming in Saudi Arabia is not just about choosing a destination. It is about choosing a world that lifts your story higher.
With the right knowledge and the correct Saudi film permit, your production can unfold effortlessly across these breathtaking landscapes. And if you want expert support with scouting, paperwork, and permitting, Saudi Film Permit is ready to guide you from your first question to your final scene.
Overwhelmed by the process. Let our experienced team at Saudi Film Permit handle the location scouting and permitting for you. Contact us for a consultation.
