Purpose: This study investigates the impact of cultural heritage awareness on tourist satisfaction, emphasizing the mediating role of cultural identity and the moderating influence of tourism commercialization within the context of heritage tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The aim is to understand how cultural awareness translates into meaningful experiences and satisfaction for tourists visiting heritage sites. Method: A quantitative research approach was employed, collecting data from 222 heritage tourists across various cultural sites in Saudi Arabia. Well-established measurement scales were adapted from prior studies. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the relationships among cultural heritage awareness, cultural identity, tourism commercialization, and tourist satisfaction. Findings: Results reveal that cultural heritage awareness significantly enhances tourist satisfaction. Cultural identity also plays a crucial mediating role in this relationship, reinforcing the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive connection between tourists and cultural experiences. Additionally, tourism commercialization was found to significantly moderate the relationship, indicating that commercial elements, when aligned with heritage values, can enhance satisfaction levels. Originality/Implications: This study contributes to the growing literature on heritage tourism by introducing a multi-dimensional model that integrates identity and commercialization dynamics. It offers theoretical and practical insights for enhancing visitor experiences through culturally rooted and strategically commercialized heritage tourism.