From the warmth of the western coasts.. to the prestige and glory of Mount Tuwaiq in the heart of Najd.. to the beauty of the clouds of the Souda Mountains in the south.. to the whiteness of the snows of Jabal Al-Lawz in the north.. interspersed with the breezes of the breezy eastern shores.. to enjoy the taste of Karam coffee in the desert of Hail.. and finally our southern station captivated us. Farasan Islands, with its charming charm.. a mixture of different flavors that made winter tourism in Saudi Arabia another rhythm..
The warm sun and clear skies of the Kingdom and the diversity of its terrain and climates make it a destination that meets the desires of winter tourism pioneers, to spend enjoyable times and unforgettable memories.
1- Riyadh: “Shumoukh Tuwaiq.. and Nakheel Kindergarten.”
The heart of the Kingdom and its vibrant capital.. From the depth of history, Al-Masmak Palace stands tall and bears witness to the era since its construction in 1895 AD, so that the visitor first learns about the history and unification of the Kingdom and the march of its renaissance and civilization through the Al-Masmak Historical Museum, while Mount Tuwaiq stands tall and testifies to history with a height of 250 meters, with its undulating rock formations and soft sand dunes that make it one of the best places for camping to enjoy the beauty and charm of the desert, and at a time when Al-Diriyah represents a national symbol, visiting it is an opportunity to witness the incubator of the history of culture and trade in Saudi Arabia.
From the fragrant history, monuments and popular markets, to the heart of civilization and the city’s panoramic view, where the capital, Riyadh, is witnessing an urban development, towering skyscrapers, and huge, modern and entertainment malls, such as the Kingdom Tower and King Abdullah Park. In the capital, you will find the second highest mosque in the world, which is the “King Abdullah Mosque.”
While the "Riyadh Season", with its diverse activities and charming atmosphere, attracted 11 million visitors who enjoyed 100 activities spread over 12 locations. In addition to the annual "Janadriyah Festival", which deals with heritage and culture, and includes activities that attract domestic and foreign tourism.
Riyadh weather: low humidity throughout the year, cold winter, maximum temperatures between 20-28 and 8-14 degrees Celsius, reaching below minus two degrees in winter.
2- Jeddah: “The Bride of the Red Sea”
The second largest Saudi city, and the largest commercial port on the Red Sea as a whole, the city of Jeddah teems with commercial traffic, goods, tourists, pilgrims and Umrah performers. Among the World Heritage Sites in 2014 AD, the visitor does not miss enjoying the beauty of King Fahd’s Fountain, the longest and largest fountain in the world, as well as the waterfront, the historical Khuzam Palace, the floating mosque, the historic Gate of Mecca, in addition to water museums, dozens of malls, amusement parks, and entertainment and diving venues.
Jeddah weather: The prevailing climate is generally mild, and the chance of rain in the winter is relatively few, and the average temperatures in winter during the day range from 29 to 18 degrees Celsius at night.
3- Dammam: “The Pearl of the Gulf.. and the Beach of the Moon.”
The city of Dammam is one of the most beautiful cities that you can visit in winter, because of the warmth of its beaches and its cool sea breezes, and it is the main port in the eastern region of the Kingdom, and it overlooks the Arabian Gulf from 3 sides, and it has many picturesque beaches such as Half Moon Beach, which is distinguished by its pure golden sands hugging the sea water net.
One of the most important places to visit in Dammam is the waterfront in Dammam or “King Abdullah Park”, which is one of the best places for family and children’s picnics. The park is located on the Dammam Corniche with an area of 4 km and a length of 8 km. The park is characterized by the multiplicity of activities that can be practiced in it, as there are halls for playing billiards and ping pong, and opportunities for practicing beach sports, such as tennis, football, or fishing, with a special corner for children’s recreational games, and a large series of restaurants, cafes, squares and shopping centers, in addition to green spaces and palm trees that provide You have a great opportunity to roam in the great outdoors.
Also, do not miss visiting Al-Marjan Island, which is an artificial island that gives its visitors the opportunity to enjoy the picturesque sea waters and cool sea breezes, while fishing or riding a yacht. As for the Dolphin Village, you will see interesting dolphin shows there, and the village also includes a free amusement park and circus.
Dammam also has many tourist attractions. Including the water village, and the Dammam Cities Lake, the largest artificial lake in Saudi Arabia, as well as the heritage village, which includes everything related to the history of the region and its handicrafts and folklore, in addition to a large number of shopping centers, malls, and various hotels.
Dammam weather: Winter temperatures range between 10-22 degrees Celsius. The temperature can regularly drop as low as 1°C on some days. Rainfall in Dammam is generally sporadic, usually in small amounts.
4- Yanbu: “The home of oysters… and the magic of sunset.”
And we remain enchanted by the warm waterfronts..Yanbu is a modern waterfront par excellence, with luxurious tourist resorts, maritime museums, and marinas for ships and yachts, which can be rented and sailed in the heart of clear waters. Life in Yanbu does not revolve only around the sea, as there is one of the largest equestrian clubs in the city. Kingdom, many picturesque flowering gardens.
In Yanbu, there are a number of places to visit, including the waterfront, which is a public beach that can be classified as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Kingdom, and a site that attracts tourism in Saudi Arabia for families. Green, golf and handball courses, and tourist resorts for a luxurious stay.
And the visitor to Yanbu must wander around the “Island of Al-Mahar”, which includes two of the most beautiful beaches in the Kingdom, which are Al-Shorouk and Sunset Beach. In addition to the beach activities it provides, such as fishing, yacht riding, boating, and surfing.
There is also the “Al-Sabah Garden”, which enjoys vast areas of greenery for hiking, cycling or boating, and enjoying the outdoor breeze, especially as it overlooks the picturesque Yanbu Beach.
Yanbu Weather: Mild weather tends to be cold in the winter, and temperatures may reach 12 degrees Celsius. As for the rains, they are scarce in winter and are usually accompanied by strong thunderstorms.
5- Umluj: «Saudi Maldives»
As for Umluj, it is another story. A variety and rare of marine creatures and coral reefs, while its wild markets are full of the city’s traditional crafts and handicrafts that you will not find anywhere else.
One of the most beautiful beaches in the Kingdom is Umluj “Duqm Beach”, thanks to its clear waters and soft white sand, and the tourism activities it provides to visitors, which made it one of the most beautiful places for swimming, walking and camping. As for Ras Al-Shaban Beach, it is the most ideal beach for Umluj to take children to swim. Ras Al-Shabaan also provides its visitors with several recreational activities, most notably camping on the beach and diving among the most beautiful coral reefs. For lovers of calm and relaxation, they can roam along the coast or sit in front of its clear sea waters of varying colors.
Al-Ghabaya site, the oldest beach of Umluj, takes you back to its ancient views, since it was called “Al-Hawraa” during the era of the ancient Arabs and Muslims, as it was an important passage through which pilgrims of the Sacred House passed in the past, and the beach includes antiquities dating back to the Roman era.
Malajj Weather: Umluj is characterized by mild weather throughout the year, and in the winter, temperatures range from 20°C to 24°C.
6- Haql: “Panoramic view… and snow peaks.”
The city of Haql enjoys a unique strategic location in the far north of the Kingdom, with a stunning panoramic view of the Gulf of the Red Sea, several kilometers away from the Al-Durra border crossing that connects the Kingdom with Jordan, Egypt and Palestine, where the visitor to this province can see the neighboring countries of the Kingdom clearly and with the naked eye.
The area of the city of Haql is about 5 thousand square kilometers, and Haql is characterized by the charm of its white sandy beaches, sprawling with zigzags in creativity on pristine beaches, surrounded by deserts drawn as an artistic painting with picturesque natural formations, embraced by tall mountains with a beautiful white scarf formed by snowfall on these towering heights, which gives She has more splendor and beauty.
As for its soft sandy beaches, it is suitable for all marine sports, such as swimming, fishing, and diving to enjoy the coral reefs of unique colors, while the Greek stranded ship lay on one of the beaches of Haql, which was called Bir Al-Mashi Beach a quarter of a century ago, although it is 71.6 meters long, but there is nothing visible from it. Only a few meters above the surface of the sea, to become a landmark of the region, and an incubator for dozens of plants and marine creatures that have taken the sunken ship as their home, so that the site is famous for it and becomes a destination for hikers from Haql, Tabuk and beyond.
Haql is considered a winter tourist resort for the people of Tabuk and its neighboring areas. Among the most prominent winter areas in Haql Governorate are Al-Sharaf, Al-Zaytah, Jabal Al-Lawz, Alaqan, Abu Al-Hanshan and Al-Zahr.
Haql weather: Its climate is characterized by moderate heat in summer and warmth in winter, and there is no moisture in this governorate, unlike what happens in other coastal cities, and snow falls on the peaks of its tall mountains in winter.
7- Al-Baha: “The magic of nature … and the 40 pine forests.”
From the cool beach breezes.. we move to the charm of nature, “Al-Baha”, the most beautiful and important city in southern Saudi Arabia, as it is located in the southwest of the Kingdom on the Al-Sarah mountain range. and harmony. It is famous for the cable car that transports tourists from the high mountains of Al-Sarah to the plains of Tihama, in a fun and exciting experience.
Al-Baha is distinguished, like other cities in southern Saudi Arabia, with its traditional arts, which are reflected in its traditional architecture, which is enhanced by its simplicity, in addition to its elaborate handicrafts, its ancient popular markets such as the Thursday market, as well as the quality of its agricultural products such as various fruits and vegetables.
The Al-Baha region includes several heritage villages, the most beautiful of which is “The Village of Dhi Ain”, which is a stone village built on a spring of water on top of a mountain. It is more than 400 years old, which makes it one of the archaeological landmarks of Saudi Arabia that is recommended to be visited thanks to its creative architectural and engineering design for its old houses and buildings. It is based on what is known as the masonry and is roofed with the famous Sidr wood, and there is a project to request its inclusion in the “UNESCO” list of world heritage sites. The village is famous for growing bananas, lemons, peppers, basil and kadi, in addition to handicrafts.
For lovers of mountain excursions, the "Raghadan Forest", which is located on the highest mountain peak at the entrance to the city of Al-Baha, provides a good opportunity for safari wandering through the various walking paths, in addition to camping, barbecue and dining services amidst the dense, very green forests.
As for the “Khaira Forest” park, it is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the region, covered with wonderful trees and green spaces, surrounded from everywhere by juniper, olive and acacia trees, as well as waterfalls flowing through its high rocky slopes, to flow into a lake where hundreds of tourists flock to sit and relax in the middle of nature. Picturesque park. There is still a lot in Al-Baha's quiver of stunning scenery and events awaiting its visitors.
Al-Baha weather: The climate of Al-Baha region is moderate in summer and cold in winter. It is mild and pleasant in the rest of the year. Temperatures range from 12 to 23 degrees Celsius.
8- Hail: “Hospitality…and the spirit of adventure.”
The city of Hail is located in the center of the north of the country, in the Jabal Aja region, west of the Adaira Valley. In its heart lies the “Samah Well”, which is famous for its abundant and sweet water. Its strategic location is a crossroads for trade caravans. The city of Hail is one of the ancient cities steeped in history, as it contains many Thamudic monuments and inscriptions.
Hail enjoys a mild climate, a picturesque pink nature, and the generosity of its inhabitants, as it is the place where Hatem Al-Taie lived, one of the symbols of generosity and generosity, and the proverbs are set in the intensity of generosity, so that the residents of Hail have the characteristics of the generosity and good reception of guests to this day.
One of the places worth visiting in the city is the Hail Museum, which includes various sections that tell the story of space and time, from antiquities of the pre- and post-Islamic eras, in addition to Thamudic inscriptions, rock paintings, and pottery pieces, to tools of industry and agriculture in the past, and others.
For lovers of the outdoors and nature, Prince Saud bin Abdul Mohsen Park provides green areas, palm trees and various trees, and there are freshwater waterfalls and lakes. As for the Al-Samra Mountain Park, it is considered the first destination for tourists in Hail, because it has a military history, and there are monuments from the Stone Age called deer traps in the park. In addition, Prince Sultan Park pleases you with its mild atmosphere, and its vast green spaces that are visually comfortable, which makes it popular for young children to run and have fun.
In recent years, Hail has witnessed a quantum leap in the field of tourism. In addition to the heritage, history and tradition, the Hail season came to bring joy, diversity and tourist enrichment to the region, through a large number of beloved entertainment, cultural and sporting events that attracted tourists from inside and outside the Kingdom.
While the Hail International Rally, called (Al-Nufoud Al-Kabir Challenge), which is held in the Al-Nafud Desert near the city of Hail, added suspense and excitement by hosting the largest rally championships in the world, and it became a seasonal tourist and economic event in the Kingdom.
Hail weather: cold in winter, temperatures range from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius, sometimes the temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius, and rain falls in the winter and spring.
9- Jizan: “Peaks Embracing the Clouds”
The city of Jazan is located in the far southwest of Saudi Arabia on the coast of the Red Sea. It is distinguished by its heritage villages that sprawl from the highest peaks of towering mountains hugging the clouds, gradually reaching the warm coasts in winter.
The Jazan region is famous for its diverse regions and its many islands, such as the Farasan Islands archipelago, and a unique coral reef surrounding its islands and beaches, which makes it an ideal habitat and natural reserve for many types of fish and marine creatures, and a fun and exciting oasis for scuba diving.
And from the bottom of the Red Sea to the towering Fifa Mountains, which reach a height of 1,800 meters above sea level, where ancient mountain houses, testifying to their ancient history, lie on tops of mountains that embrace the sky, while the Jazan Mountains are generally decorated with terraces sloping down in a unique engineering way, collecting rainwater to benefit from it in cultivation sites.
And we return from the charm of the cold mountains to the warmth of the beaches, where “Al-Marjan Island” provides its tourists with a sense of relaxation and comfort by sitting on its white sandy beaches, in addition to the presence of paths designated only for cycling, while the Dolphin Village on the island is characterized by watching dolphin shows and sea lions, and the Jazan Festival presents Al Shetwi has various famous and delicious Jazan meals.
There are a number of other beautiful sites that can be visited in Jazan, such as the Jazan Antiquities Museum, which includes a large number of heritage and archaeological works dating back to the stone ages, as well as the hot springs, which are visited by many for the purpose of medical tourism, as the temperature reaches 45 degrees Celsius. In the treatment of rheumatism and skin diseases, due to the presence of rich chemical and sulfuric elements.
For nature lovers, they can go to the “Jazan Valley Dam” park to enjoy a charming view of the dam lake. As for those seeking adventure and suspense, the “Wadi Lajab” will provide them with an exciting experience, which dates back to the era of African refraction. Its grooved shape enables you to enter your car to a distance of 2 km in Inside it, then the corridor narrows, after which you can continue walking on foot, and see the waterfalls and lakes scattered along its length.
Finally, the heritage village in Jizan simulates archaeological sites, and includes many different events and popular performances, such as the Al-Ful Festival and a variety of heritage festivals.
Jazan weather: Mild winter, the temperature gradually decreases towards the mountains, resulting in precipitation, and in winter temperatures are between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius at night, and between 25 and 33 degrees Celsius during the day.
10- Farasan: “The White Sands… and the Home of the Hared”
The Farasan Archipelago consists of a group of islands that number about 150 islands of varying sizes. Its plateaus are characterized by limestone, and its beaches are pure white sand and fresh water springs, while coral reefs abound along its coasts and straits, which makes it a fertile home for many diverse marine organisms. To form a unique reserve that amazes the diving enthusiasts who flock to it in the thousands annually.
The most important and most famous of the islands: “Forasan Al-Kubra”, which is the largest island in Saudi Arabia, in terms of area and population, with an area of approximately 369 square kilometers, and a length of approximately 70 kilometers. It is an important tourist and archaeological place in the region.
Farasan Island is distinguished by its coral reefs, wonderful sandy beaches, and stunning views of the Red Sea. Farasan Village has a group of natural wells that are characterized by the sweetness of their water, in addition to the palm trees that exist in abundance. The village is an outlet for the people of Farasan, as they visit it in April during the hareid fishing season , which migrates to the reef areas at the end of March until April, to feed on marine algae spread on coral sprouts and multiply, and the island includes 90 species of this fish, and the annual “Al-Hareed Festival” is held to catch it, bringing with it marine tourism to this beautiful area.
Farasan Island also includes ancient historical monuments dating back more than three thousand years, such as the Roman and Himyarite civilizations, and among the most prominent monuments are the Portuguese castle and Luqman castle.
Farasan weather: The Farasan Islands are characterized by a long hot climate that extends between the months of April to October, while the rest of the months between November and March enjoy a mild climate, with an average of 30 degrees Celsius annually, and during the moderate months the humidity rates in the air range between 70% and 80%, As for precipitation, most of it is concentrated in the month of April.
Sarah Al-Otaibi (Jeddah) @sarahalotaibi9