Saudi Arabia is blessed with a huge amount of diversity both in its geography and architecture. 

These two factors, in particular, give visitors a wide variety of places to see. Sometimes, these places are similar to major global tourism destinations.

So save that hard-earned money and explore these magnificent Saudi places that look just like their international counterparts...

1. Durrat Al Arous, Jeddah VS Palm Islands, UAE

Just like the Palm Islands in Dubai, Durrat Al Arous is made on reclaimed land. Many even consider it to be a precursor to the Palm Islands, setting the benchmark for luxury resorts and villas that have canals running by them.

2. Rub' Al Khali, Eastern Province VS Sahara Desert

Rub' Al Khali is the largest continuous sand desert, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Yemen, and Oman.

The windswept sand dunes that the Sahara Desert is famous for are also found here. In fact, in photos, one can’t even spot the difference between the two. 

3. Jabal Fayfa, Jizan Province VS Simien Mountains, Ethiopia

Jabal Fayfa, in the southern part of the kingdom, looks so disparate from any other place in Saudi Arabia. 

The terraced farms and landscape give it a striking resemblance to Ethiopia's Simien Mountains.

4. Al Rajhi Mosque, Mecca VS Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, UAE

Though not as big as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, it still is one of the largest mosques in the GCC. 

The architecture is not as pompous, but it is the subtle tones in which the beauty of the Al Rajhi Mosque lies.

5. Wahbah Crater VS Lunar Crater, USA

They both are volcanic craters and almost of the same size as well; almost like twins separated by seven oceans.

6. Jabal Sawda, Abha VS Jebel Shams, Oman

Jabal Sawda is Saudi Arabia's highest peak, while Jebel Shams is Oman's. Nevertheless, the view from the top of both is spectacular. 

At Jabal Sawda, one would expect to see dark-colored mountains in the landscape, while at Jebel Shams, the mountains surrounding it are of a sandy color.

7. Qaisariah Souq, Hofuf VS Khan Al Khalili, Egypt

The vibe in Qaisariah is so different; there is just so much energy in the place that very few markets in the kingdom can boast... just what one would expect in a classical Arabian Souk like the Khan Al Khalili in Cairo.

8. Old Jeddah VS Suakin, Sudan

Much of Suakin is made of coral and the city used to be considered the height of medieval luxury on the Red Sea. 

Jeddah, on the other side of the Red Sea, has many buildings in its downtown that are also made of coral. To top it off, both cities carry similar architecture styles.

9. Nafud Desert VS Wadi Rum, Jordan

Wadi Rum is famous for being the shooting location of many Hollywood blockbusters like The Martian and Transformers: Revenge of the fallen. 

Its less famous counterpart, the Nafud Desert - that sits right across the border - has the same reddish-colored sand that gives Wadi Rum its idiosyncratic Mars like look.