Why Al-Baha is emerging as one of Saudi Arabia’s favorite tourist destinations

The 400-year-old stone settlement of Dhee Ayn, the name of which translates as “of spring,” a reference to the water source that runs through it. (Supplied)
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Updated 24 December 2022
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Why Al-Baha is emerging as one of Saudi Arabia’s favorite tourist destinations

  • New tourism and hospitality ventures are flourishing in Al-Baha thanks to Vision 2030 
  • Gulf visitors flock to Al-Baha for its mild climate, ancient settlements and proud heritage

AL-BAHA: Located in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia, Al-Baha region is home to a wealth of natural wonders and ancient heritage sites, making it one of the Kingdom’s most attractive up-and-coming tourist destinations.

The bare, granite slopes of the Shada Al-Asfal mountains provide an awe-inspiring backdrop to an area rich in the distinctive culture and traditions of the Hejaz.

Dotted with ancient fortresses, villages and agricultural terraces dating back hundreds, if not thousands, of years, Al-Baha reflects Saudi Arabia’s long history and captivating natural beauty.

Situated about 310 kilometers from the pristine coastline of the Red Sea, and 2,270 meters above sea level, Al-Baha enjoys a mild climate all year round. Yet, despite its appealing location and many attractions, the area has remained largely unexplored by foreign visitors.




Mohammed Mosfir Almahfoz Al-Ghamdi, right, at his Al-Malad (or “Two Brothers”) Museum, named after its towers. (Supplied)

That is about to change. A new development was recently completed in Al-Baha as part of the Kingdom’s drive to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons into sectors such as leisure, tourism and hospitality.

In September, the Heritage Commission of the Ministry of Culture unveiled the Dhee Ayn Museum. As the name suggests, it can be found at the 400-year-old stone settlement of Dhee Ayn, the name of which translates as “of spring,” a reference to the water source that runs through it.

Built atop a hill of marble, the village is surrounded by a breathtaking mountain range and the lush vegetation of Wadi Rash, where banana trees flourish and the scent of wild herbs and seasonal blossoms fills the air.

The multi-story homes in Dhee Ayn, which are built from large, flat stones, offer a window into the history of domestic life in the Arabian Peninsula long before the rise of nation states. From afar, the abandoned settlement almost appears to glow as sunlight reflects off its bright marble facades.




Al-Baha region is home to a wealth of natural wonders and ancient heritage sites. (SPA)

The village sits in an area known as the “region of 1001 towers.” The mountainside is littered with stone fortresses that once protected communities, plantations and travelers from bandits and rival tribes.

Situated along an ancient trade route, Al-Baha was long a popular destination for merchants and nomadic hunters, and offered one of the principal routes through the southern Arabian Peninsula to Makkah. Remnants of the ancient road can still be seen in the form of fragmented black-and-gray slabs.

Established as an administrative region in 1964, Al-Baha now includes six towns, of which the most important are the capital, Al-Baha City, Al-Mikhwah, Baljorashi and Al-Mandaq. The region is the ancestral home of Al-Ghamdi and Al-Zahrani tribes, and as of 2020 its population numbered 506,866.

Abundant in fertile soil, fresh water, forest and lush pasture, the region remains ideal for human settlement and has long been considered one of the most attractive parts of the Arabian Gulf.

In villages throughout the area, homes, businesses and places of worship are built from regionally sourced granite and basalt, decorated with quartz, and with roofs made of juniper wood covered with mud.

Construction methods are not the only traditions still celebrated by the region’s inhabitants. Al-Aqiq Museum, for example, contains a treasure trove of artifacts, jewelry, fashions and perfumes collected over the years by its owner, Sahla Al-Ghamdi.




Al-Baha City at night. (Supplied)

Visitors to the museum are greeted with dates and a cup of Arabic coffee, along with a performance of Ardah, the traditional Saudi sword dance. Female visitors can have their hands decorated with henna and try on some of the traditional robes and abayas that reflect the evolution of fashion in the region.

Other interesting attractions for visitors include Al-Malad, or Two Brothers, Museum, named after the siblings who built the two imposing towers that still stand there, originally to protect the village and store its food.

Museum owner Mohammed Mosfir Almahfoz Al-Ghamdi salutes visitors to the museum, which opened in 2020, with a volley of gunfire from a collection of antique rifles. The exhibits include photographs, books, weapons such as rifles and swords, traditional garments and cutlery that he collected over several decades, which offer visitors a glimpse of the region’s past and its cultural heritage.




Naser Alshdui, left, wears many hats: cave-tourism volunteer, bean-farm tour guide, researcher, historian, writer. (Supplied)

In the nearby town of Baljurashi, another gem awaits visitors: A stunning rural lodge owned by Sharifa Al-Ghamdi, a local woman who after years of teaching mathematics in Jeddah decided to return to Al-Baha and turn her home into a boutique hotel.

The property, which has been carefully refurbished to retain its traditional character and heritage, is decorated with colorful objects from across the region that she collected over the years. She said her thriving hospitality business would not have been possible but for the government’s national reforms in recent years.

“I wouldn’t have been able to decorate and refurbish this home had it not been for Vision 2030 and the increased freedoms given to women,” Al-Ghamdi told Arab News.

The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reforms agenda is designed to transform social and economic life in Saudi Arabia. Among other things, it aims to make it easier to establish a businesses in a host of new sectors, and increase the empowerment and participation of women and young people in civic and commercial life.




Abundant in fertile soil, fresh water, forest and lush pasture, the region remains ideal for human settlement. (Supplied)

Al-Ghamdi said the reforms, including the easing of guardianship laws that previously required women to be accompanied by a male relative in public, allowed her to hire workmen, purchase the materials to repair and refurbish her property, and to welcome guests.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, the Kingdom aims to increase the sector’s annual contribution to national gross domestic product from the current 3 percent to at least 10 percent by 2030.

Over the past year, the Saudi government has launched several investment schemes designed to help bolster tourism in Al-Baha. In September 2021, the Kingdom’s Tourism Development Fund signed a deal with travel services provider Seera Group to develop a 200-room luxury resort in the region, featuring shops, restaurants and facilities for outdoor activities. The Raghadan Tourist Resort, the first sustainable tourism project in the region, is one of the key investment destinations identified by the National Tourism Strategy.

“Al-Baha’s rich history, cultural heritage, climate, topography and geographic location in the southwest of Saudi Arabia make it an attractive area for tourism and one that will further diversify the country’s offering,” a TDF spokesperson said when the plans were officially launched.




According to the Ministry of Tourism, the Kingdom aims to increase the sector’s annual contribution to national gross domestic product from the current 3 percent to at least 10 percent by 2030. (Supplied)

At the inauguration of the project in July, Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, the Saudi environment minister, said local authorities in Al-Baha had spent more than $152.5 million on various initiatives, including seven projects to construct dams and wells to secure drinking water supplies. There are also plans designed to promote afforestation and to protect vegetation.

Since the beginning of this year’s summer season, Al-Baha has welcomed a growing number of visitors from across the Kingdom who are keen to take advantage of the region’s picturesque landscapes and temperate climate.

One attraction that has proved especially popular is a lavender garden that is located in the middle of the Raghadan Forest Park in the cool Sarawat Mountains west of Al-Baha City.

To reach it, visitors follow a path of natural stone surrounded by waterfalls. It is illuminated by 270 decorative lamps and the flowerbeds are complemented by seating and kiosks, all of which provides an idyllic and peaceful oasis of calm.

The investment in Al-Baha certainly seems to be paying off. Like the many of the giga-projects taking shape along the Kingdom’s Red Sea coast, Al-Baha looks likely to become a must-visit destination for Saudi and foreign travelers in the decades to come.




The stunning scenery of the Hejazi mountains. (Supplied)

Much of its initial success is thanks not only to state investment, the region’s natural beauty and its ancient settlements steeped in history, but also to the commendable efforts of the local population to preserve and share their heritage, culture and traditions.

Thanks to them, Al-Baha clearly has the potential to become one of the Kingdom’s most celebrated attractions.


70 participants graduate in Riyadh AI and Innovation Hackathon 

Updated 26 May 2025
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70 participants graduate in Riyadh AI and Innovation Hackathon 

RIYADH: Seventy participants have completed the AI and Innovation Hackathon program held in Riyadh recently.

Organized by the Financial Academy, in partnership with MEDGULF Insurance Company, the program is aimed at training national talents capable of driving the development of the insurance sector in the Kingdom, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The hackathon included several key phases, starting with data collection and pertinent challenges, followed by awareness sessions and inviting applications, then idea screening, and the selection of the best candidates. 

The five-month event culminated in an intensive five-day hackathon with creative engagement from the participants.

The Financial Academy has several responsibilities and mandates, such as: including training and qualifying employees working in the financial sectors, setting standards and requirements for practicing professions in the financial services market, publishing scientific research.


Supreme Court calls on Muslims in Saudi Arabia to sight Dhul Hijjah crescent moon on Tuesday evening

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court called on Muslims in the Kingdom to sight the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah on Tuesday evening.
Updated 26 May 2025
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Supreme Court calls on Muslims in Saudi Arabia to sight Dhul Hijjah crescent moon on Tuesday evening

  • Court requested that anyone sighting the crescent moon with the naked eye or through binoculars report to the nearest court and record their testimony

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court called on Muslims in the Kingdom to sight the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah on Tuesday evening, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Tuesday is the 29th of Dhul Qadah and if the crescent moon is sighted that day, the month of Dhul Hijjah, during which Hajj takes place, will start on Wednesday May 28. In this case, the first day of Eid Al-Adha will take place on Friday June 6.

If the crescent moon is not sighted on Tuesday evening, Dhul Hijjah will start on Thursday and the first day of Eid will be on Saturday June 7.

The court requested that anyone sighting the crescent moon with the naked eye or through binoculars report to the nearest court and record their testimony, or contact the nearest center to assist them in reaching the nearest court.


AlUla’s rawi historians tell tales as old as time

Updated 26 May 2025
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AlUla’s rawi historians tell tales as old as time

  • Storytellers keep oral tradition alive by guiding tourists in ancient city
  • Reciters of poetry tell the stories of historic sites 

JEDDAH: In the timeless landscape of AlUla, stories are not only carved or marked into rock — they are carried in the hearts and voices of its people.

Among those preserving and sharing memories is Aljawharah Ibrahim Abdulkarim, a rawi — or oral storyteller — in the heritage, culture and events department at the Royal Commission for AlUla.

She told Arab News: “Several years ago I took a number of tour guiding courses and decided to pursue a career in this field. I was born and raised in AlUla, so I grew up hearing stories and learning about AlUla Old Town from my parents and relatives who lived there, which allowed me to better understand the history of the site.”

Storytelling for Abdulkarim is not just a job, but a mission. As a native of AlUla, she offers a rare blend of authenticity and academic insight, which she weaves into the tours she leads.

She added: “Since I’ve lived in AlUla my entire life, I’ve witnessed its amazing transformation over the years. Through my work as a rawi I’ve also seen firsthand the exciting future that lies ahead for this unique place. All of these experiences have helped enrich my personal story of AlUla.”

The rawi has historically played an important role in Arab culture, serving as a reciter of poetry and stories.

A trilingual speaker — fluent in her native Arabic, as well as in English and French — Abdulkarim represents the next generation of rawis that will show, and tell, the tales of their ancestors.

She said: “I first started learning English in AlUla. Later, I had the opportunity to travel to France on an RCU scholarship created especially for AlUla students. While there I learned French and obtained my master’s degree in international hospitality management.”

Her ability to connect with international visitors became a key asset, and she added: “The fact that I am a trilingual rawi helps me to better understand the different tourists that come to AlUla, offer more personalized responses to their questions, and share with them the special story of AlUla.

“I’ve also had the chance to represent AlUla and my colleagues across several conferences and campaigns in the Kingdom and globally, connecting me with an even broader audience.”

While much research has been devoted to ancient sites like Dadan and Hegra, Abdulkarim is passionate about shedding light on AlUla — especially the human stories of AlUla’s Old Town.

She said: “There is a lot of available historical information and research for different ancient civilizations, especially for sites in Dadan and Hegra. However, when it comes to places like AlUla Old Town, it is quite different as we are talking about contemporary history.”

What sets her storytelling apart is her commitment to blending historical accuracy with personal memory — without conflating the two.

She said: “The people who once lived there are still with us today, and they’re able to share their stories in their own words.

“During my tours I usually start by sharing historical facts, and then I include memories from my father and family. I make sure to keep the two separate, so the history and personal stories are both respected and clearly understood.”

Beyond those narratives, Abdulkarim regularly invites other community members to lend their voices to the tours.

She added: “During our tours we also invite members of the local community to participate by sharing their stories and knowledge, helping us to tell the broader history of AlUla, through the voices of those who have lived it.”

These efforts are especially resonant during themed tours in which the history is deeply personal.

She added: “For example, during one of our special tours in Ramadan, called Ramadan Memories, my father contributed by sharing how the people of Old Town used to spend the holy month, recounting their daily routines, the food they prepared, their work, and their cherished traditions. In doing so, we offer our valued guests a truly unique and personal experience.”

Preserving and presenting heritage in such moments is more than recounting stories — it is about keeping the very culture and voice alive for future generations.

She said: “Sharing our heritage with people is crucial to prevent it from being lost, especially as elements of heritage can also be intangible.

“AlUla is a jewel to us, and persevering the heritage of the city not only helps to protect our past but also safeguards our present and shapes our future.”

That future is being actively protected, and she added: “Today, for example, we have the first Saudi Heritage Ranger team that are working hard to protect our tangible heritage in our historical and archaeological sites for the coming generations.”

In AlUla, the past is not forgotten: It is spoken, heard and passed down with pride. Through voices like Abdulkarim’s, these stories — some as old as time — are finding new ears.


Saudi minister holds talks with Chinese, EU officials on climate, global issues 

Updated 25 May 2025
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Saudi minister holds talks with Chinese, EU officials on climate, global issues 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir received China's Special Envoy for Climate Change Liu Zhenmin in Riyadh on Sunday.

During the meeting, they discussed strengthening cooperation in climate action and environmental conservation, along with other topics of mutual interest.

Both officials also reviewed the Kingdom’s ongoing initiatives and achievements in this field, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In a separate meeting, Al-Jubeir received the deputy secretary-general for political affairs at the European External Action Service, Olof Skoog, and his accompanying delegation.

The meeting reviewed international developments and the efforts being made to address them, in addition to discussing topics of mutual interest.


Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid to deliver Arafah sermon during Hajj 2025

Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid will deliver the Arafah sermon during this year’s Hajj. (@PRAGOVSA)
Updated 59 min 26 sec ago
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Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid to deliver Arafah sermon during Hajj 2025

  • The day of Arafah (the 9th of Dhul Hijjah) is widely considered the pinnacle of Hajj, marking the most important day for pilgrims
  • The sermon is delivered from Masjid Al-Nimra on Mount Arafat before Dhuhr and Asr prayers are performed together on Dhul Hijjah 9

RIYADH: Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid will deliver the Arafah sermon during this year’s Hajj, the Presidency of Religious Affairs announced on Sunday.

The day of Arafah (the 9th of Dhul Hijjah) is widely considered the pinnacle of Hajj, marking the most important day for pilgrims. Muslims around the world who are not performing the pilgrimage mark the day by fasting and engaging in worship.

The sermon is delivered from Masjid Al-Nimra on Mount Arafat before Dhuhr and Asr prayers are performed together on Dhul Hijjah 9.

Head of Religious Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the appointment.

The appointment underscores the Kingdom’s global religious leadership, reflects its continued support for religious institutions, and exemplifies the leadership’s care for the two holy mosques, the presidency said.