Spread over an area of 139,000 km, Al Jouf is an important region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The region is among the most popular tourist destinations, blessed with an abundance of palm and olive trees dotting the lush natural landscape. The name Al Jouf means ‘cavity’ or ‘depression’, which refers to the broad valleys and the beds of seasonal streams found in the region in abundance. The vast plains and areas of varying altitudes make Al-Jouf a truly unique place in terms of geographical magnificence. Tourists can visit numerous castles, mosques, museums, lakes and more located in the region.
Al Jouf landscape
Al-Jouf has high regions consisting of hills, mountains, and lava fields. The Great Nafud desert extending from the west towards the Hail province in the east is part of the Al-Jouf region. Other important constituents include the Sirhan Valley, Khabara (Swamps), and Dumat al-Jandal Lake. Important archeological sites of the province clearly reflect the heavy influence of Qedar, the Nabataeans, and even the Romans. The buildings showcases architecture from the Umayyad, Abbasid, Ottoman and other Islamic periods can be found in the region.
Popular tourist places to visit in Al Jouf
Al-Jouf has many places of tourist attractions that draw a steady stream of tourists from all over the world. Marid Castle, located in the south of Dumat-al-Jandal city, is a historic military castle from the first century AD. Situated on a hilltop 600 meters above sea level, the 1000-step stairway to the castle takes 30 minutes to conquer. Dumat Al Jandal Lake is the sole lake in the whole of Saudi Arabia located in the region. The lake is popular for jet skiing, trekking, and other adventures.
1. Marid Castle – Fortress made of Jandal stone
Marid Castle sits on a rocky hill, 600 m high, in the Al Der’ District in Dumat Al-Jandal. It was built between the 1st and 2nd centuries to honor the uprising and disobedience against those looking to march into it and capture the castle. The fortress was constructed using Jandal stone, and hence is named Dumat Al-Jandal. The exceptional structural design of this castle shows its ancient roots. There are stone walls with two main entrances leading to the castle and several observation towers and buildings.
Location: Alkhaldiyah, Dumah Al Jandal
Timing: Monday to Sunday, 7:30 am – 5 pm
2. Zaabal Castle – Built in Nabataean architecture
The famous Zaabal Castle is located on the ruins of a Nabataean castle and stands on a 50-meter rocky outcrop in the city of Sakaka. The castle includes a reservoir and four towers joined by a single wall. It is believed to have been constructed 300 years ago and attracts people who want to know more about Arab history. The castle’s courtyard has become a catch basin for water. It is then supplied to a well system running beneath the city. The wells are enormous and have enough space for people to walk through. However, they are closed for safety reasons.
Location: Aldil’, Sakaka
3. Kaf Palace – Hilltop palace in Al Jouf
Kaf Palace, also known as the Ibn Shaalan Palace, is located on a hill in the northeast region of the Kaf Village. The palace was built during the time of Nawaf bin Nouri Al Shaalan. It is a square military fortress encompassing an area of 2700 square meters. There are observation towers on all its corners. Every tower has a cylindrical design at the bottom, made of textured stone, and a conical upper part made of mud. The palace also houses a hospitality building, the ruling council building, the palace mosque, and a women’s residence with a private courtyard.
Location: Al Ajras, Al Qurayyat
Timing: Sunday to Thursday, 7 am – 3 pm
4. Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque – With cobblestone walkways
Caliph Omar Bin-Al-Kattab built the Masjid Omer during his return from Jerusalem. The mosque represents a unique continuity of the plan of the early mosques of Islam. The Masjid is around 1300 years old, making it one of the oldest heritage sites in the Kingdom. The 12.7-meter-high minaret is one of the oldest minarets in the Arabian Peninsula.
Location: Al Zirae, Domat Al Jandal
5. Regional Museum – Modern showcase of history
The Regional Al-Jouf Museum has an area of 12,000 square meters. The museum is placed strategically in the Domat Al-Jandal region. It overlooks the archeological area, including Marid Castle, Omar Mosque, and the neighboring Al-Nuweissir Museum. One can also view many other vital landmarks of civilization in Al-Jouf from the museum. The museum displays artifacts from ancient times showcased in a modern way. It is perfect for families with kids to spend their day learning about the region and Arabian Peninsula.
Location: Alkhaldiyah, Dumah Al Jandal
Timings: Sunday to Thursday – 7:30 am to 3:30 pm
6. Rajajil Columns – Surrounded by mysteries
The Rajajil Columns, also known as the ‘Stonehenge of Saudi Arabia,’ is a mysterious site 20 kilometers south of Sakaka. Rajajil means ‘the men’ and is said to be the oldest monument in the region, according to historians. The origin of the monument is shrouded in mystery, but the place attracts a large number of visitors annually, not only from the Kingdom but from other places as well. The Rajajil Columns have many superstitions and myths attached to them, including the site being a burial place in the past.
Location: Sakaka, Al Jouf
7. Domat Al Jandal Lake – Water adventure activities
The Domat Al Jandal Lake is the only lake in the Kingdom, making it truly unique. The lake is located in the middle of the desert and has become one of the must-visit destinations for tourists looking for some excitement in the form of jet skiing and other water sports. It spreads over an area of over a million square meters. The lake is around 15 meters deep. It holds more than eight million cubic meters of water.
8. Sisera Well – Nabataean era well
The Sisera well is one of the oldest wells in the Al-Jouf region and belongs to the Nabataean era. It is near the Zaabal Castle and is located to the north of Sakaka. The place got its name from military commander Sisera for his valiant fight against the Jews in Palestine. A channel fixed in the rock inside the well used to transport water to farms during the Nabataean period during the first century AD is still present.
Location: Sisra well, Sakaka
Best time to visit Al Jouf, Saudi Arabia
The best time to visit Al Jouf is in the months of March, April, October and November when the weather remains relatively cooler and appropriate to explore the various tourist destinations. The temperature during these months hardly reaches 30 degrees Celsius and does not fall below 7 degree Celsius.
History of Al Jouf province
Al-Jouf province is reportedly the oldest inhabited place in the Arabian Peninsula. There are traces of the ancient Acheulean civilization all over the region. Archeologists had discovered a site near Shuhitia dating back to the Stone Age. The discovery of flint tools and pottery found near the Rajajil columns is proof of Copper Age remnants here. Al Jouf city also has an important place in history as it was a key location on the ancient Incense Road, including major land and sea trading routes. It also established a link between the region and the Mediterranean world. The region also has been under the influence of the Babylonian Empire, followed by the Kingdom of Qidar. In modern times, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed the Amman agreement with the Kingdom of Jordan to establish the region’s boundaries.
A trip to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia is incomplete without visiting the Al-Jouf region. There are many interesting places to visit in this region with immense historical and geographical relevance. Tourists can visit many places of historical importance to discover a different facet of the region.
Al Jouf FAQs
What are the must-visit places in Al-Jouf province?
Some of the most popular destinations are Lake Duma Jandal, Zaabal Castle, and Al-Rajajil. There are many other exciting places to enjoy in this region.
How is the weather in Al Jouf?
The temperature during the daytime is medium while it drops a bit at night.
What is the one most crucial thing that Al Jouf is famous for?
Al-Jouf provides the best olive oil in the Kingdom and has largest olive oil farm of the world.
Does Al Jouf has an airport?
The Al Jouf region has Sakaka Al Jouf Airport.
