Najran might not be a popular Saudi destination internationally but those who know about it, make it a point to include it in their trip to the Kingdom. There are plenty of beautiful and important historical places to visit in Najran. Most of them are a sight to behold and tell stories of Saudi’s eventful past. Here’s a look at the top 5 places that you just can’t miss while visiting the peaceful town of Najran, located in the Najran province.
About Najran: Nestled in southwestern Saudi Arabia, close to the Yemeni border, Najran’s history can be traced to 4,000 years ago. Between 1000 BCE and 600 CE, it used to be a significant hub for the caravan trade of frankincense and myrrh. Najran is a largely undiscovered gem that has vestiges of the bygone era, making it an ideal region for travel enthusiasts interested in culture and history. From regal palaces to the sprawling museum, Najran’s tourist places have got something for everyone. With a wonderful blend of traditions and long history, this primeval city has the potential to transform into a tourism hub in the upcoming years. Being the capital of the province of Najran, it is currently one of the kingdom’s fastest-growing cities in Saudi Arabia.
5 Top places to visit in Najran
Najran has many popular archaeological sites, Islamic monuments, and engineering marvels. Tourists visiting Najran in Saudi Arabia will find various fascinating sight scenes. So, here are some of the top Najran tourist places to explore:
1. Najran Regional Museum
Najran Regional Museum is one of Najran’s prominent landmarks and is located in the center of the city. It is an architectural marvel that combines the region’s historical and cultural legacy with modern elements. The Man and Universe Hall, Pre-Islamic Hall, Islamic Hall, and Hall of the Kingdom’s Unification are among the six halls in the museum. Najran Regional Museum houses fascinating objects from the bygone era, such as pre-Christian maps of archaeological sites, caravan routes, and pieces from pre-Christian texts. In addition to archaic tools, clothing, and weaponry representing Najrani origin, pottery relics, a bronze lion’s head, and stone inscriptions are exhibited at the Najran Regional Museum as well. In front of the museum, there are kiosks where visitors can purchase souvenirs to take back home.
Address: 3785 Prince Sultan Ibn Abdulaziz, 66293, Saudi Arabia
Timings: Sunday to Thursday – 8 am to 5:30 pm, Friday to Saturday – 3 pm to 6 pm
2. Al-Ukhdud Archaeological Site
Al-Ukhdud Archaeological Site, located south of modern-day Najran, is an archaeological treasure of the Byzantine, Umayyad, and Abbasid periods. Najran’s history has significant events with numerous military campaigns, culminating in its siege, occupation, and destruction. One of these chapters is described in the Holy Quran as Al-Okhdood, in which the Judaic King of Himyar Dhu Nuwas sought retribution on the Christians of Najran for refusing to convert to Judaism. Due to continuous warfare and bloodshed, residents fled the area, leaving it in ruins and ashes.
The Al-Ukhdud Archaeological Site is now a popular tourist destination for both Arab and foreign visitors. Many structures, tombs, calligraphy, ancient hieroglyphs, and Egyptian inscriptions from the early Islamic period have been discovered during excavations done since 1997. Drawings of horses, camels, ostriches, otters, and handicrafts from the Stone Age have also been discovered in the site. Research and excavations are still ongoing in the area, and it may take years to uncover the numerous treasures and secrets hidden beneath the surface.
3. Najran Valley Dam
The Najran Valley Dam, completed in 1981 and owned by the Ministry of Water and Electricity, is a significant water supply in southwest Saudi Arabia. Nestled in a picturesque setup, it is an arch dam on Wadi Najran, which is one of the scenic valleys in the Arabian Peninsula. The scenic charm of the location doubles during the monsoon when the dam is full of water. If you are looking for Najran tourist places that are full of serenity, Najran Valley Dam is an excellent option to spend some time inquietude. Besides supplying water, the dam prevents flooding by collecting run-off water from the valley and carefully releasing it throughout the year.
4. Qasr Al-Emara
Qasr Al-Emara is a historical palace and one of the most prominent heritage buildings in Najran’s central ancient city. It was constructed in 1361 AH (1942) under Amir Turki Bin Mohammed Al-Madhi to serve as the Governorate and home to his family and security forces. The old Governorate, Qasr Al-Emara in Aba As-Saud, is a classic Najran architecture shaped like a castle with high walls. It has circular towers on all four sides to keep an eye on patrons and defend the palace against enemy attacks. The palace has a mosque and an antique well from pre-Islamic times.
5. Al Aan Palace
Initially called Saadan Palace, Al-Aan Palace was built in 1100 AH (1688) by Sheikh Muhammad bin Ismail Al-Makrami. It remains one of the region’s most magnificent architectural gems having a unique building style and beautiful white margins. Al-Aan Palace, located on top of Al-Aan mountain, contains observation towers, major gates, and fences. Plus, the palace has 60 rooms, offices, a mosque, the Emir’s council chamber, a courtroom, dining rooms, a store, a coffee production area, and muezzin quarters. There are additional 17 residential rooms, stores, livestock stables, and an old well going back to the pre-Islamic era in the courtyard.
Best time to visit Najran
Najran weather
Najran has relatively a moderate weather conditions than other parts of Saudi Arabia. The summers are hot yet bearable, while the autumn, spring and winters provide the best time to carry out tourist activities in Najran.
Najran temperature
The summer temperature of Najran ranges from the maximum of around 37 degrees Celsius and minimum dropping down to 22 degrees Celsius. The winter temperature of Najran range approximately between 24 degrees Celsius (maximum) and 10 degrees Celsius (minimum).
How to reach Najran
Najran Airport
Tourists can easily reach Najran by boarding flights from Jeddah and Riyadh to Najran Regional Airport. The airport is around 26 km from the city center and is accessible via rented cabs in the city.
Roadways
Tourists can also take the road from Abha to Najran to reach the city in approximately 4 hours. Further, Najran is 332 km from Jizan making it accessible via road from Jizan as well.
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Najran gets many visitors due to its numerous beautiful locations, making it a lovely place for all kinds of tourists. The nearest airport to Najran city is Najran Regional Airport. The places to visit in Najran are well connected via wide paved roads. Travelers can find many hotels to stay in along with numerous restaurants and eating options.
Places To Visit In Najran FAQs
Does Najran have an airport?
Yes, Najran Regional Airport is located 26 km away from Najran City
What is the best time to visit Najran?
The best time to visit Najran is in January, followed by November and December, with the average temperatures hovering around 26°C.
Can tourists reach Najran via road?
Yes, tourists can drive from Riyadh to Najran, and the journey is 943 kilometers long and takes 9.5 hours to complete.
Is Najran safe for tourists?
Najran is safe for tourists and has a record of low crime rate.
What is the best way of traveling in Najran?
Private taxis and cars are the best way of getting around Najran.
What is the Najran to Riyadh distance?
The distance between Najran and Riyadh is around 944 km.
What is the Abha to Najran distance?
Abha to Najran is only 257 km.
