Located in the Eastern Province, Dhahran is a beautiful city with an ample number of tourist destinations that attracts people from worldwide. Among the top places to visit in Dhahran includes clean beaches, historic museums, heritage villages, bustling malls, and hidden destinations. King Abdulaziz Center For World Culture or commonly known as Ithra has become the talk of the town for its unique architecture and advanced facilities. Dhahran is the one-stop destination for casual tourists and nature lovers alike. The city has top tourist destination in Saudi Arabia to unwind into a getaway from all the hustle and bustle of regular life.
Top places to visit in Dhahran
1. Half Moon Beach – Enchanting sunsets and sunrises
Dhahran’s Half Moon Beach is one of Saudi Arabia’s biggest and the most beautiful beaches. Because of its striking moon-like shape, this beach is often called Crescent Beach. The beach is also a popular picnic spot for many families and is equipped with showers, toilets and locker-room options nearby. It offers access to numerous recreational facilities such as swimming, beach ball and horse riding on the shore. Also, visitors can watch beautiful sunset and sunrises on the beach or take a stroll down the pathway amongst the cool sea breeze.
Location: On the sea side of King Faisal Ibn Abd Al Aziz near Safari Point
Timings: The most packed days at Half-moon Beach are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, so one can plan their visit accordingly. It usually takes around two hours to explore the Half-moon Beach but one can spend as much time as they like to make the whole visit a memorable experience.
Suggested Read: 8 Most Beautiful Beaches In Saudi Arabia An Unwinding Retreat
2. Dhahran Hills Park – Ideal trekking and outdoor activity spot
Dhahran Hills Park is a secluded and serene park located in Dhahran Hills division. The recently reconstructed park is ideal for an outdoor meal and trekking with the family. King Fahad Park, Prince Mohammad Bin Park Stadium, Marjan Island and The Marina Mall are located very close to the Dhahran Hills. Newly wedded couples and families visit the destination to relax and organize picnics in the natural surroundings of the park. The beautiful sunsets from the picnic sites provide a serene experience.
Location: Quirsh St, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran
Timings: The place is open all days of the week from 6 am to 10 pm
3. Ithra – King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture
Built in the vicinity of the site where oil was first tapped in 1983, Ithra (the Arabic word for “enrichment”) is a contemporary cultural center. It is set at 90 meters above the desert and spans in more than 80,000 square meters. The unique architecture of the building makes it a popular tourist destination. The structure hosts a vast library, museum, theater, cinema, ideas lab and knowledge tower, along with a range of beautifully displayed galleries. These facilities inspire, engage and delight the artists and tourists worldwide.
Location: Ring Rd, Gharb Al Dhahran
Timings: The center is open from Monday to Saturday from 9 pm to 1 am
4. Alfelwah and Aljowharah Museum – House for 500 years old Quran
The Alfelwah and Aljowharah Museum houses a valuable exhibition of more than 500,000 objects packed into an opulent villa in Dammam. It is a must-visit for enthusiastic collectors of cultural and traditional artifacts. The wide ranging display of items includes a 500-year-old copy of the Quran, vintage cars, antique gramophones and some of the private possessions of Saudi Arabia’s first monarch, King Abdulaziz. Guests can also see a traditional Saudi bedroom and meeting hall setup.
Location: 35 km drive from Dhahran city center to Al Nuzha, Dammam
Timings: 9 pm to 11 pm, everyday
5. Heritage Village – Historical manuscripts and Arabian textiles
A historic town with museums, restaurants and turrets, Heritage Village in Dammam gives visitors a glimpse into simple life. The most popular five-story building in the village houses a museum displaying jewelry, manuscripts, textiles and other crafts, and a small craft market selling Arabian perfumes, incense, wicker baskets and tapestries. People can enjoy the traditional way of eating local delicacies in a restaurant located in the village by sitting on the floor with a comfortable cushion on the floor. The village is also near the ocean providing a mesmerizing view of the sun rays meeting the waves of Persian Gulf.
Location: 45 minutes drive from Dhahran located on Corniche Walk Way, Ash Shati Al Gharbi, Dammam
Timings: The village remains open on all days of the week from 12 pm to 12 am
Suggested Read: Top 10 Places To Visit In Dammam: From Heritage Village To Adventure World
6. Mall of Dhahran – Fun filled shopping experience
Mall of Dhahran is a beautiful single-story shopping mall with over 400 retail stores selling a wide range of products from popular local and international brands. The mall houses Billy Beez (a famous indoor playground in Saudi Arabia) and Sparky’s (entertainment center for all ages). The entertainment centers have ice rinks, arcade games, and more. The Dhahran mall also has numerous restaurants and outlets offering food from Arabian and international cuisine.
Location: Mall of Dhahran Blvd, Al Dawhah Al Janubiyah, Dhahran
Timings: The mall remains open from Saturday to Thursday during 9.30 am to 11 pm
Best time to visit Dhahran
Dhahran weather
The best season for Dhahran tourism is the winters. Generally, summers in Dhahran are long, warm, damp, and arid; winters are cool, dry, and pleasant. Mid-October to mid-February are the best times to visit Dhahran.
Dhahran temperatures
The temperature in Dhahran ranges from 17°C to 28°C during winters. While the summer temperatures can range between 35°C to 42°C making it extremely hard to carry out tourist activities.
Dhahran is a famous city situated in the eastern Saudi Arabia and is known as the kingdom’s oil capital. Dhahran is about 14 kilometers to the south of Dammam. It is the administrative capital of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Dhahran has Kingdom’s major commercial port along the Arabian Gulf. It is an important administrative center for the Saudi oil industry. Dhahran makes up part of the Dammam Metropolitan Area together with the cities of Dammam and Khobar. Most of the places to visit in Dhahran are easy to reach by taxis. The city also offers a myriad of places to stay. From economically feasible stays to luxurious retreats, there are a lot of options for all budgets.
Places To Visit In Dhahran FAQs
Why is the Half Moon Beach In Dhahran famous?
Half Moon Beach in Dhahran is famous for its crescent moon-like shoreline and clear water.
What is the best time to visit Dhahran?
The temperature in Dhahran goes from 17°C to 28°C during winters best suited for tourist activities.
What is Ithra?
Ithra or the King Abdulaziz Center For World Culture is a man made structure housing various art galleries and museums.
What is the best way to commute in Dhahran?
The best way to commute to various tourist spots in Dhahran is by private taxi or rented cars.
Why is Alfelwah and Aljowharah Museum popular?
The museum has a 500 year old Quran and also 500,000 artifacts.
What is the distance from Dhahran to Makkah?
The distance between Dhahran and Makkah is around 1288 km.
Where is the distance from Dhahran to Jeddah?
Dhahran to Jeddah is around 1360 km
