Also known as the food basket of Saudi Arabia, Al Qassim offers several memorable sightseeing places that attract tourists from all around the globe. Al Qassim Tourist places include historical buildings, quaint cities, beautiful high mountains, archeological museums, traditional villages and more. At the end of the summer, Qassim hosts the annual Buraydah Date Festival. The festival runs for 35 days and draws tourists and farmers from the neighboring regions and provinces. In addition, Qassim has a good connection of highways and street roads, making it convenient to reach the top tourist destinations.
Top Al Qassim Tourist Places
Owing to its desert setting, Qassim offers the true essence of Saudi Arabia tourism. Al Qassim tourist places maintain the originality of the historical events and significance and untouched natural beauty of the deserts. Here is a list of top places to visit in Qassim:
1. Uyun Al-Jiwa
The governorate city of Uyun Al-Jiwa is known for the historical and ancient communities that once inhabited the area. The name Uyun Al-Jiwa means ‘The Valley’s Ponds’. It gets its name from the water ponds that once surrounded the area. Depicting the lifestyle of ancient people, several Thamudic rock paintings can be found in the Al Jiwa region. These paintings also aid in discovering some of the oldest traces of human life on the planet.
Location: Uyun Al-Jiwa is located in the northwestern Al-Qassim Region, 51.1 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of Buraydah, the province’s capital.
How To Reach: Gassim Regional Airport is the closest airport to get to Uyun Al Jiwa. From there, cabs connect to all major and lesser-known parts of the city.
Tourist Attractions: Tourists can visit Al Margab Watchtower, a mud-and-adobe tower that was initially used to spot incoming invaders. Another famous historical place is Old Uyun, which is a collection of houses built of clay and mud. Also, tourists can buy a few souvenirs from the vibrant Old Souq.
2. Buraydah Museum
The Buraydah Museum casts a light on the heritage of Qassim Province. The museum has a design similar to Najd Fort. It has exhibits showcasing old guns, artillery, and other ancient items. The museum houses some of the old vintage cars from the private collection of King Abdulaziz. It also features a library that offers books from a number of publications providing more details on Qassim and Buraydah.
Address: 3144 King Abdulaziz Rd, Al Safra’, 6165، Buraydah
Timings: Sunday To Thursday, 8 am – 2 pm
Phone: +966 16 323 1700
3. Al Bassam Heritage House
Situated on the western gate of the Unaizah city, Al Bassam Heritage House is a traditional building housing elements and relics of the past. The heritage house has an open area, a dining area, and a majlis. The foundation of the house is made up of stone and the roof is created from the tamarisk wood. The house has an overall area of 3,500 sq meters with a men’s reception section, garden section, family section, and animal pens.
Location: Ad Dulayah, Unayzah
4. Al Aloqilat Museum
The museum is located near the city center featuring tons of documents related to the first man residing in the region. It also houses maps with trade routes and exploration done in the area. The museum has a number of exhibits showcasing the history and culture in the region in the pre-Islamic times. Hence, one must plan alot 4 to 5 hours to completely explore the Al Aloqilat Museum.
Location: 418, Wahtan, Buraidah
Phone: 966 50 513 3191
Timings: Monday to Sunday, 8:30 am – 12 pm, 4 pm – 6:30 pm
5. Qassim Traditional Villages
Al-Qassim province has several traditional villages preserved over time to retain the authenticity of the cultural heritage. One such village is Mithnab, which lies around 25 km in the southeast direction of Unaizah. Al-Khabra town is another preserved village that protects 300 houses built in the coherent style. Madinah Al-Munawarah is renowned as a hidden jewel in the province. It is the home to lesser-explored Jabal Aban Al-Asmar mountains and has a few old houses and a mosque. The villages host numerous old markets organizing several folklore games, monthly events and auctions.
6. Al-Shinanah Tower
Perched atop a hill, Al-Shinanah Tower is a stunning piece of architecture. It stands 27 meters tall, with mud-brick walls, and is the essence of traditional Al-Qassim’s building style. It is at least 200 years old as the original date of building is estimated to be between the 12th century and 19th century. The tower has survived many battles in the region. Even though it was damaged during the historical battles, the monarchs of the kingdom reconstructed it systematically.
Location: Al Sina’iyah, Ar Rass
7. King Khalid Park And Garden
King Khalid Park and Gardens is an excellent spot for a relaxed picnic with friends or family. The park offers a swimming pool, colorful flower beds, beautiful green grass, and a lovely place to roam about in the evening for experiencing quietude. The caretakers and administration of the park regularly organize several fun filled activities enjoyed by all age groups alike. The park has washrooms and seating places at constant intervals. Tourists can also find local vendors selling food and ice cream around the park.
Location: King Abdulaziz Rd, Al Safra, Buraydah
Timings: 4 pm – 9 pm
Phone: +966163249788
Popular Activity: Family picnics and jogging.
8. Buraydah Water Tower
Buraydah Water Tower is a prime landmark in the city, where visitors can climb to the top of the tower to take in the stunning 360° view of the city. The tower is also organizes an annual water festival during summers. In addition, It serves as a water reservoir for the community living in the region. The location also has many restaurants and eateries offering delectable food from international cuisines.
Location: Alghamas, Buraydah
February and December are the best months to visit Al Qassim. During these months, the average maximum temperature ranges from 20°C to 25°C, offering pleasant weather conditions. Three-day and two-night itineraries are perfect for exploring the major places of the region. Al-Qassim is an underrated gem in Saudi Arabia, and very little information is available on the internet regarding the province. Uyun Al-Jiwa, Qassim Museum, and Qassim Traditional Villages would be the top recommendations among places to visit in al-Qassim.
Suggested Read: Top 30 Tourist Places To Visit In Saudi Arabia
Al Qassim Tourist Places FAQs
How tall is Al-Shinanah Tower?
Al-Shinanah Tower has a height of 27 meters.
Why is the Buraydah Museum famous?
The Buraydah Museum offers some of the best exhibits and publications in detail about the history of Al Qassim.
What makes Uyun Al-Jiwa a popular tourist attraction?
Uyun Al-Jiwa is famous for Thamudic inscriptions belonging to ancient Arabian tribes.
What is the best time to visit the Buraydah Water Tower?
Summer is the best time to visit the Buraydah Water Tower in order to enjoy the Water Festival.
Which are the well-known traditional Qassim Villages?
The well-known traditional Qassim Villages are Mithnab and Al-Khabra.
