ThePlace: Saudi Arabia’s Al-Marjan Island is a landmark and a recreational destination for tourists

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Updated 18 September 2021
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ThePlace: Saudi Arabia’s Al-Marjan Island is a landmark and a recreational destination for tourists

  • The island features a dock for boats, children’s play areas, cafés and restaurants and a large parking lot

With its green landscape and moderate climate in the Arabian Gulf waters, Al-Marjan Island in Dammam is a landmark and a recreational destination for tourists and citizens of the Eastern Province.
Lying just off the coast of Dammam and connected to it by a causeway, the artificial island was built in 1991. It covers an area of 53,000 square meters and incorporates green scenery, trees, palms and flowers, with a 30-meter tower in its center.
The island features a dock for boats, children’s play areas, cafés and restaurants and a large parking lot. Work is currently being done to restore pathways, shelters and seats. The municipality is seeking to develop the whole island, its facilities and diverse activities.
It aims to support recreational tourism activities and quality of life programs to make a new tourist destination in Dammam.
It also aims to develop facilities and the waterfront, in partnership with all the relevant authorities.


Ithra will bring Spain to life for 2-week cultural celebration

Updated 08 January 2026
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Ithra will bring Spain to life for 2-week cultural celebration

  • Ithra Cultural Days will unfold across the plaza, museum, theater, lush garden, library, idea lab, cinema, children’s museum, energy exhibit and Ithra tower

DHAHRAN: Visitors to the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) can enjoy a taste of Spanish culture from Jan. 12-31.

Under the banner “Live Spain,” spaces at Ithra will be transformed to give a glimpse of life in this vibrant European country.

Ithra Cultural Days will unfold across the plaza, museum, theater, lush garden, library, idea lab, cinema, children’s museum, energy exhibit and Ithra tower, with exhibitions dedicated to Spanish photography, fashion and sports. There will also be Spanish cuisine and interactive installations exploring historical and linguistic connections between Arab and Spanish traditions.

There will be live performances across various stages, with a production of “Carmen” among the highlights.

“Cultural exchange is a core part of Ithra’s approach to programming. Celebrating Spain’s culture and history reflects this focus, particularly as this year’s Cultural Days take on a distinctive character by exploring Spain’s cultural heritage,” Noura Alzamil, program manager at Ithra, said.

“Visitors to Ithra will experience an exciting program in every sense, given the scale and variety of events designed to appeal to all tastes and interests.”

Cinema showings will feature Spanish short and feature films, accompanied by post-screening discussions to provide additional cultural context, while talks and sessions in the idea lab and library will explore architecture, literature and creative practice.

Hands-on workshops will invite visitors to engage directly with Spanish crafts and creative traditions, from visual arts and design to food-related practices.

A dedicated program for children and youth will run alongside with storytelling, creative workshops and performances among the attractions. Food and market experiences in Ithra’s public spaces will reflect the important social role played in the country by food.

Ithra Cultural Days present international cultures through immersive, public-facing experiences. This year’s focus on Spain follows the success of last year’s Japan edition, which welcomed more than 200,000 visitors in just two weeks.