Tabuk serves as the capital city of the Tabuk region situated in north-western Saudi Arabia. Located near the Jordanian-Saudi Arabia border, it has served as a gateway to North Arabia for years. It has a rich storied past and historical architectural gems that draws tourists from all across the world to the beautiful city of Tabuk. The most popular places to visit in Tabuk are a delight for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts. The city is dotted with a number of tourist attractions and has no dearth of interesting things to do.The weather in the city is also quite pleasant, hence it is year round destination for tourism.
Weather in Tabuk
Tabuk experiences long and hot summers with dry air blowing through the region. The winters are relatively short and cold. The average rainfall frequency remains around 0.1 inches throughout the year.
Tabuk temperature
The average summer Tabuk temperature is around 39°C (max.) and 25°C (min.), while the average winter temperature ranges from 18°C (max.) and 4°C (min.).
Best time to visit Tabuk
The best months to visit Tabuk for a convenient and comfortable tour are March, April, October, and November. Temperature during these months remain moderately cooler and appropriate to travel around the city.
Tabuk Sightseeing
Tabuk is a famous tourist destination replete with countless sightseeing spots. Tourists can visit the mountains is Tabuk to capture the mesmerizing view of the valley or can spend a day in desert participating in several desert activities. Further, one can also visit the numerous tourist destinations located in the majestic Tabuk city.
Tabuk Mountains
Tabuk has a series of mountains providing great location for camping and hiking. These mountains have unspoiled beauty spread across vast land featuring sandstone cliffs and ancient rock arts. Tabuk is home to one of the highest mountains in Saudi Arabia named Jabal al Lawz. The mountain is also known as ‘Mountain of Almonds’. Another towering mountain in Tabuk is Jabal Maqla with an astounding height of around 2,326 meters. Other noticeable mountains are Jabal al Qalom, Jabal Ferwa, Jabal Shar, and Jabal Ad-dhahr.
Tabuk Desert
The desert in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia sprawl over a large area and houses numerous ancient and historical structures like Maghaer Shuaib. The sand offers excellent opportunity to take part in desert adventures like camel safari and dune buggy bashing. One can also hire a 4×4 vehicle to explore around the desert. Further, desert offers several camping locations to spend a night under starlight.
Tourist Destinations
With a rich historic and cultural past, Tabuk offers many tourist attraction worth visiting. From monumental castles to flowering rose farms, tourists get ample options for sightseeing in Tabuk. On a visit to Tabuk one can indulge visiting various majestic mosques, historical museums, and beautiful nature parks.
Top Tourist Places To Visit In Tabuk
Tabuk is loaded with antiquities and ancient archaeological sites like petroglyphs, forts, palaces, inscriptions, walls and Syrian-Egyptian pilgrimage routes. Here is a list of some prominent tourist spots in Tabuk:
1. Tabuk Castle – Steeped in the city’s history
This majestic castle is one of the oldest fortresses in the city. Dating back to 1559, this historical marvel houses two beautiful mosques that are connected by lovely courtyards, towering watchtowers and sweeping stairwells. For years, Tabuk castle served as a resting spot for the pilgrims on their way to Makkah and Madinah. At present, it serves as a museum that displays many fascinating historical artefacts from the Ottoman period. The museum also showcases the history of Tabuk and the city’s connection to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and many famous explorers like Evliya Celebi and Ibn Battuta.
Timings: Tabuk Castle remains open from 8 am-8 pm from Sunday to Thursday and from 4 pm-6 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
2. Al Tawba Mosque – The city’s most significant religious site
Also known as ‘The Prophet’s Mosque’, Al Tawba Mosque is listed amongst the Tabuk region’s most popular and important monuments. Originally built from mud, bricks and palm tree trunks, it was rebuilt by the Ottomans in 1652 and later again in the early 20th century. Counted amongst the world’s oldest mosques, it holds immense religious significance as the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) prayed here in 630 AD when he visited for the Battle of Tabuk.
4. Wadi Al Disah – One of the most beautiful places to visit in Tabuk
Situated in the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Natural Reserve, Wadi Al Disah features striking wind-sculpted sandstone columns and looks like a sprawling desert with oases of pools, palm trees and tall grasses. It is also known as the Valley of the Palms. The sprawling valley has stunning landscapes ideal for photography. With its impossibly beautiful sunsets, it is an excellent destination for hikers. Also, it is home to numerous ancient buildings and remains that can be traced back to the Nabatean era.
5. Souq Twaheen – A traditional market for local picks
This ancient small market is a traditional Saudi market and serves as a prominent example of the region’s heritage. Popular amongst the local Bedouin, the bustling market is lined with quaint shops selling everything ranging from vegetables and grocery to clothes and gas camp stoves. Also, this is one of the best places to visit in Tabuk for those looking to buy souvenirs like patterned rugs, camel saddles and cushions. It is located in Tabuk’s old quarter.
7. Maghaer Shuaib – Historical arid sandstone structures
Maghaer Shuaib is situated in the reddish desert sprawled in the western part of Tabuk. This natural wonder features tombs and facades elegantly carved into the sandstone rocks. This historical marvel served as home to Moses for a decade after he fled from Egypt. Moses lived in Maghaer Shuaib under the patronage of Prophet Shuaib before returning to Egypt.
Suggested Read: Top Tourist Places To Visit In Al Bahah
8. Prince Fahd Bin Sultan’s Park – A relaxing retreat
Prince Fahd Bin Sultan’s Park is considered one of the city’s most beautiful places and offers stunning views of the Red Sea. With mild temperatures and lush greenery, it has a serene atmosphere, making it a perfect place for unwinding. It is a great spot for walking and jogging and also an ideal destination for a family picnic. The lovely park is home to several sports courts, a running track and various restaurants.
9. Hijaz Railway – An important piece of history
Serving as another amazing destination for history buffs, Hijaz Railway was constructed during the Ottoman period and ended up in ruins just two decades later. Built to speed up the journey of Muslim pilgrims travelling from Damascus to the cities of Makkah and Madinah, it was destroyed during the First World War when it was attacked by T.E. Lawrence and his Arab allies. Today, the site is marked by abandoned stations, sand-dusted rails and rusted locomotives. Also, the Edwardian former station houses a museum showcasing a distinctive selection of artefacts, photographs and manuscripts.
10. Al-Zareeb Castle – Another one of important historical sites in Tabuk
Originally built in 1617, Al-Zareeb Castle was constructed to provide pilgrims visiting Makkah with protection. Listed amongst Tabuk’s most significant historical monuments and archaeological sites, it is surrounded by mountains and was bombed during the Great Arab Revolt in 1916. The beautifully constructed rectangular castle features a set of majestic towers that surround the lovely courtyards. It also houses residential units and a prayer area surrounded by water wells.
11.Tabuk Rose Farm – A major spring season attraction
During spring, around 18 million pink and red-colored roses blossom in Tabuk every year. The beauty spread across the rose farms in the region attracts swarms of tourists worldwide. Tourists can stop by any farm to take pictures and smell the scent of roses spread nearby. Additionally, one can politely request the locals for more personalized rose farm tours. These roses are used to make various rose products such as scent, rose water, and cosmetics, which are also exported to numerous countries in the world.
12.Tayma or Haddaj well – The oldest in Saudi Arabia
Wells in Tayma are known to be the oldest wells in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They were built about 2500 years ago and the amazing part is that they are still operational. These wells also find a mention in the Bible, which makes them a popular tourist attraction for the Jews as well. The Tayma settlement of Saudi Arabia was one of the oldest in the region. It was ruled by Pharaoh rims 3 from 1192 to 1160 BC. It is one of the key Tabuk historical places.
With so many beautiful places to visit in Tabuk, it is one of the most pleasing destinations for the eyes as well as the soul. And since there is a huge tourist influx, there are plenty of eating and shopping places as well. There are malls and souks to pick up the best of traditional offerings. And the food at the restaurants in Tabuk varies from global menus to delicious local fare.
Suggested Read: 10 Best Places To Visit In Abha
FAQs – Popular Places To Visit In Tabuk
What are some of the best things to do in Tabuk?
There are a lot of things to do and places to see in Tabuk. You can visit the Asir National Park, Maghaer Shuaib, the lovely Tabuk castle among many other attractions. Also, one can go dune bashing safari, take rides at Tabuk Aquapark and try the delicious local food.
Which are the best places to shop in Tabuk?
Some of the best shopping destinations in Tabuk include Almakan Mall, Tabuk Park Mall, Al Hokair Mall, Al Sanabil Shopping Centre and Souq Twaheen.
How far away is Tabuk Castle from the airport?
Tabuk Castle is situated at a distance of around 6.8 km from Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk. One can easily take a cab from the airport or the place of stay to reach the castle.
What is the best way of getting around Tabuk?
The easiest way of getting around Tabuk is by using cab services such as Uber and Careem.
What are the famous dishes available in Tabuk?
The cuisine of the Tabuk region consists of many delicious delicacies and desserts including Al-Sileeq, Al-Marqouq, Matazeez, Al-Mallah, Al-Mandi and Al-Sayyadiah.
