The Al-Ahsa Oasis is a striking starting point for getting to know Ash Sharqiyah in Saudi Arabia. It encompasses gardens, canals, springs and wells, a drainage lake, as well as historic buildings, urban fabric and archaeological sites. With 2.5 million date palms, it is the largest oasis in the world.

Al-Ahsa: Landscape and history

The oasis combines these diverse landscape and settlement features with ongoing agricultural use. It continues to produce high-quality dates and export them worldwide. Dates are therefore not only a defining feature of the palm landscape, but also a regional product whose significance extends beyond the oasis.

Al-Ahsa’s history is also reflected in its specific buildings. Sahood Palace was built between 1790 and 1800. The historic Jawatha Mosque is considered one of the earliest places of worship in the eastern Arabian Peninsula. While a clearly defined construction period is central to the palace, the mosque’s significance lies in its early religious history.

As a rough guide, a weekend may be enough to see Al-Ahsa’s main attractions. This includes time to relax in the oases, as well as explore and shop at Qaisariyah Market. How you spread these activities out depends on your own travel pace.

Art, theater and knowledge at Ithra

Ithra in Dhahran adds a different cultural dimension. The museum has five galleries: contemporary art from the Middle East, Saudi culture, Islamic art, the natural history of the Arabian Peninsula, and an archival gallery. This range brings together artistic and cultural themes with natural history.

Ithra Theater opened in 2018 and is among Saudi Arabia’s leading theater programs. It is also a venue for cross-cultural and multidisciplinary productions. The program features live productions from Saudi Arabia and abroad. As the program changes, check current event dates before your trip.

Ithra Library is one of the region’s largest public libraries, with more than 389,000 books. The collection size may change as it grows. Members can book study and meeting rooms; check the current booking rules in advance.

At the Ithra Energy Exhibit, interactive displays explain the methods and knowledge behind the successful extraction of oil and related energy resources. The exhibit includes a 3D theater showing films about energy science. Alongside art and culture, it therefore also focuses on a scientific and technical subject area.

These destinations offer different themes to choose from: Al-Ahsa brings together oasis landscapes and historic sites, while Ithra combines art, theater, a library and energy topics. This can help you plan your trip around the discoveries that interest you most.

Getting to Al Hofuf

For the drive from Al-Olaya Street in central Riyadh to Al Hofuf, the route follows King Fahd Road, Northern Ring Road (Route 40 / 80M), Dammam Road and Route 522 via Khurais; Route 75 then leads to Al Hofuf. Check road numbers and route conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Al Khafji, Al Jubail, Dhahran, Al Hofuf, Mulayjah, As Salmanyah, Salwa, Thybiyah.

For the main travel overview: Saudi Arabia.