Why Yanbu on the Red Sea is fast becoming one of Saudi Arabia’s must-visit destinations

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Besides magnificent annual flower, bird and butterfly shows, the western Saudi town of Yanbu is attracting tourists with its rich biodiversity. (Shutterstock)
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Besides magnificent annual flower, bird and butterfly shows, the western Saudi town of Yanbu is attracting tourists with its rich biodiversity. (Shutterstock)
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Besides magnificent annual flower, bird and butterfly shows, the western Saudi town of Yanbu is attracting tourists with its rich biodiversity. (Shutterstock)
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Besides magnificent annual flower, bird and butterfly shows, the western Saudi town of Yanbu is attracting tourists with its rich biodiversity. (Shutterstock)
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Besides magnificent annual flower, bird and butterfly shows, the western Saudi town of Yanbu is attracting tourists with its rich biodiversity. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 13 May 2022
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Why Yanbu on the Red Sea is fast becoming one of Saudi Arabia’s must-visit destinations

  • Beyond its scenic charm, favorable climate and natural beauty, Yanbu has a particular appeal for history buffs
  • own’s historic architecture, including a house where T. E. Lawrence once lived, have been faithfully restored

DUBAI: Just a few hours’ drive west of Madinah is the historic port town of Yanbu, the second largest settlement on Saudi Arabia’s western Red Sea coast. With its curious heritage and growing wealth of attractions, this unassuming coastal gem is fast becoming a must-visit destination in its own right.

Visitors to Yanbu can traipse along the town’s historic harbor, enjoy Red Sea-caught fish prepared in the local style, and explore the recently restored Souq Al-Lail, or night market, where they can buy local dates, green mulukhiyah leaves, as well as other sweets and delicacies.

At night, the old harbor area comes alive with locals flocking to outdoor eateries overlooking the tranquil waters, protected from the waves by unspoilt coral reefs that have long lured divers to the coastline.




Yanbu's iconic lighthouse overlooking the town's coastal area by the Red Sea. (Shutterstock)

As one of the oldest ports on the Red Sea, Yanbu has a history reaching back at least 2,500 years, when it served as a crucial staging post on the ancient spice and incense route from Yemen to Egypt and onward to the wider Mediterranean.

Its strategic importance in the world of commerce continues to this day. Further south along the coast from the idyllic old town is an important petroleum shipping terminal that is home to three oil refineries, a plastics factory, and several other petrochemical plants.

While Yanbu has long enjoyed a reputation as a place of commerce, it is now developing into something of a tourism hotspot.




The market in the heritage village of Yanbu Al-Nakhl. (Shutterstock)

“In the past, most tourists were from Saudi Arabia, but now we are getting more foreigners, from France, Germany, and the UK,” Ghazi Al-Enezi, who runs the Riyadh-based operator Ghazi Tours, told Arab News.

“Yanbu has been receiving many visitors via cruises from Jeddah, cities in Egypt and Jordan.”

In 2014, Al-Enezi was named the Best Tour Guide in the Kingdom by the Saudi government. Since then, his fledgling operation has grown into a successful enterprise, with 12 members of staff operating tours across the country and a wealth of local and international clients.

The Kingdom’s growing tourism market has offered a boost to Yanbu’s hospitality industry, with the recent opening of a Novotel, a Holiday Inn, and the Al-Ahlam Tourism Resort. This in turn has drummed up new business for local cafes and restaurants.




Yanbu's nice weather make the coastal town a favorite escape during the summer months. (Shutterstock)

“Many hotels and restaurants are opening now, and local people are also trying to serve visitors their own local dishes,” said Al-Enezi. “The weather is nice as well. It doesn’t get too hot in the summer, which means during the hot months people can escape to Yanbu.”

Beyond its scenic charm, favorable climate and natural beauty, Yanbu also has a particular appeal for history buffs. The British army intelligence officer T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, lived in Yanbu for a time between 1915 and 1916 in a typical Hijazi building.

The British archaeologist, diplomat and writer became famous for his role in the Arab Revolt and the Sinai and Palestine Campaign against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War.

Lawrence was deployed to the region to help the Arabs overthrow their Ottoman rulers, who had sided with Germany against Britain and France.




Lawrence of Arabia, left, and the renovated house in Yanbu where he lived between 1915 and 1916. (Getty Images)

On Dec. 1, 1916, the Ottoman forces of Fakhri Pasha launched a daring offensive against Yanbu with the aim of reestablishing control over the strategically vital port.

After some initial Ottoman successes, the Arabs counterattacked with the support of five British Royal Navy warships anchored off the coast. By Jan. 18, 1917, the Ottomans were in full retreat.

Yanbu served as a supply and operations base for Arab and British forces for the remainder of the war.




Yanbu industrial harbor. (Shutterstock)

In 1975, the Saudi government decided to transform Yanbu into one of the country’s two new industrial centers, the other being Jubail on the Arabian Gulf.

Since then, state and private development projects in Yanbu have boosted its economic value and prestige, attracting huge petrochemical and logistics infrastructure.

Today, as the Kingdom undergoes a fresh transformation, heralded by the Vision 2030 economic and social reform agenda, Yanbu’s fortunes are once again shifting — this time toward tourism, heritage and culture.

In 2020, the Ministry of Tourism launched a project to restore T.E. Lawrence’s Hejazi house, renovating its white stone walls and ornate wooden screens in what would become the first of the ministry’s efforts to revive the old town of Yanbu.




Heritage houses being restored in Yanbu. (Shutterstock)

Soon, other traditional Arabian homes followed, with sensitive restoration work launched to restore their coral-stone walls and wooden latticed windows to their former glory. The rebirth of Yanbu’s authentic architecture has made the city a highly desirable place to visit.

Since then, a host of tour operators have sprung up across Yanbu to cater for this recent influx of visitors.

Al-Enezi, who has run tours in Yanbu since 2008, offers a choice of two main tours — one along the coast that features a visit to Oyster Island, known for its pristine beaches and clear waters, and another into the urban heart of Yanbu that acquaints visitors with local heritage and crafts.




Ghazi Al-Enezi was named the Best Tour Guide in the Kingdom in 2014. (Supplied)

He also takes visitors to Umluj, which is situated 150 km north of Yanbu. Often referred to as the “Maldives of Saudi Arabia,” the coastal town is made up of more than 100 small islands where hotels and other attractions are now under construction.

Also outside the town, thrill-seeking visitors are drawn to Radwa Mount, with its red-hued jagged peaks towering some 2,282 meters above sea level, making it the highest point in the Al-Nakhil range.

Known for its rich biodiversity, including lynx, tigers, ibex and wolves, visitors can enjoy a safari tour along the rugged highland landscape and stop at high-altitude villages to sample the local honey.




Yanbu also boasts of attractive highland landscapes. (Shutterstock)

For Al-Enezi, the tourism industry in Yanbu is unrecognizable today from what passed for it when he began organizing tours there 14 years ago.

“It was hard for the few of us working in the business in the beginning because at that time the Saudi government wasn’t focused on tourism and not many people were coming to visit the Kingdom,” he told Arab News.

“But this is now a growing and changing business.”


Saudi Arabia makes space for freelancers to thrive in culinary sector

Updated 12 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia makes space for freelancers to thrive in culinary sector

  • Culinary Commission’s latest move is ‘a dream come true’ for chefs

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Culinary Arts Commission has launched a freelance license for chefs via the Abde’a Cultural Licenses Platform.

The commission’s CEO, Mayada Badr, told Arab News: “The freelance chef license is a major milestone in empowering Saudi culinary talent, as it is opening the door for chefs to innovate and succeed independently while contributing to the Kingdom’s culinary sector.”

The newly introduced license will enable Saudi nationals aged 18 and above — and who hold certified culinary training and valid food safety or health certifications. (Supplied)

Abde’a, an e-platform developed to strengthen partnerships with the private sector, is operated under the umbrella of the Ministry of Culture.

The newly introduced license will enable Saudi nationals aged 18 and above — and who hold certified culinary training and valid food safety or health certifications — to legally provide freelance culinary services, paving the way for wider freelance opportunities in diverse venues and events across the Kingdom.

The freelance chef license is a major milestone in empowering Saudi culinary talent, as it is opening the door for chefs to innovate and succeed independently while contributing to the Kingdom’s culinary sector.

Mayada Badr, Saudi Culinary Arts Commission CEO

The initiative will “support skill development and career growth in the sector, as well as recognition and credibility by reinforcing adherence to professional standards in the culinary field,” according to a statement.

Chef Rawan Al-Harthi, a Jeddah-based pastry chef, said: “This license gives us the freedom to showcase our culinary identity while working independently and legally. It’s a dream come true for chefs who want to grow their brand without being tied to a restaurant.”

Another chef, Faisal Al-Malki, echoed Al-Harthi’s sentiments. “Being recognized as a licensed freelance chef adds value to our profession and pushes us to raise the bar in terms of quality and creativity,” he said.

The launch of this initiative “underscores the commission’s commitment to expanding opportunities for local culinary talent, while fostering a culture of creativity and professionalism,” a press release stated.

 


Croatian PM receives GCC chief in Dubrovnik

Updated 12 July 2025
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Croatian PM receives GCC chief in Dubrovnik

  • They reviewed relations between the GCC and Croatia, and discussed ways to develop and strengthen ties to serve mutual interests

DUBROVNIK: Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi was received by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic at the Dubrovnik Forum in Dubrovnik, Croatia, on Saturday.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the “latest developments in free trade agreement negotiations and a proposal to hold a joint Gulf-European conference on energy security,” the General Secretariat said in a report.

They also reviewed relations between the GCC and Croatia, and discussed ways to develop and strengthen ties to serve mutual interests.

 


Sports ministry organizes hiking event in Baha

Updated 13 July 2025
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Sports ministry organizes hiking event in Baha

  • Bandar Al-Ghamdi, director of the ministry’s branch in Baha, said the program included 120 people

RIYADH: The Baha branch of the Ministry of Sports, together with the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation, organized a hiking program as part of the “Color Your Summer with Sports” campaign.

The event was held in cooperation with the region’s municipality and health cluster as part of the Baha Summer Season, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Bandar Al-Ghamdi, director of the ministry’s branch in Baha, said the program included 120 people. The event took place in natural locations that reflect the region’s landscape, he added.

Baha’s mountains, valleys and dams offer suitable areas for various sports, including mountain and water activities, he said. These features support the region’s role in sports tourism in the Kingdom.

Al-Ghamdi added that the program is part of a plan to develop the sports sector in Baha and build partnerships with sports federations.

The initiative aims to support the local economy and attract sports and tourism visitors, from the Kingdom and beyond, Al-Ghamdi said.


Kingdom showcases maritime goals at London exhibition

Updated 12 July 2025
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Kingdom showcases maritime goals at London exhibition

  • Event highlights smart projects, training initiatives, and global partnerships in the sector

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, represented by the Transport General Authority, held an international exhibition in London to showcase its key initiatives and achievements in supporting the maritime transport industry.

The event was attended by senior officials and saw broad participation from International Maritime Organization member states, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Saudi Ambassador to the UK Prince Khalid bin Bandar and Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser, along with government officials, embassy representatives, and maritime attaches.

The event highlighted the Kingdom’s role as an active partner in the international maritime system and a key contributor to developing global maritime regulations and practices, the SPA added.

It also reflected Saudi Arabia’s continued influence within the International Maritime Organization and its efforts to promote sustainability and improve the efficiency of maritime supply chains.

The exhibition showcased the academies and specialized centers established by the Kingdom, as well as initiatives to localize talent and train seafarers, officers, and marine engineers.

It also featured smart projects that support automation in the sector, enhancing operational efficiency and environmental sustainability, according to the SPA.

Prince Khalid said that the exhibition reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to international cooperation, highlighting the Kingdom’s hospitality and pursuit of sustainable, collaborative maritime partnerships.

Al-Jasser said that the Kingdom is steadily moving toward leadership in maritime transport, driven by Vision 2030 and investments in talent and technology to strengthen its position as a global logistics hub.

In recent years, the Saudi maritime sector has grown rapidly, with the number of Saudi-flagged vessels reaching 409, totaling more than 100,000 gross tons and more than 16.5 million deadweight tons.

The number of registered Saudi seafarers has risen to 3,000, supported by specialized programs and regulatory initiatives that empower national maritime capabilities, the SPA reported.

These efforts build on Saudi Arabia’s active role in the International Maritime Organization, advancing the maritime transport industry through a vision that goes beyond fleet development or regulatory modernization.

It includes creating an advanced global maritime system based on operational excellence, human capital investment, and cutting-edge technology for a promising, sustainable future.


Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

Updated 12 July 2025
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Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

RIYADH: A heritage festival in Hail has attracted more than 27,000 visitors from the city, across the Kingdom, and from Gulf and international destinations.

Running from 6 p.m. till 1 a.m. each evening, the 30-day Beit Hail Festival offers a rich blend of cultural, artistic, and heritage experiences, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Visitors can enjoy a diverse array of live performances and interactive heritage displays, recreating scenes from the past and presented by skilled male and female artisans.

Exhibits give younger generations a glimpse of how their ancestors transformed natural materials into functional items, showcasing the ingenuity and authenticity of Saudi heritage.

More than 40 activities allow visitors to explore traditional crafts such as wickerwork, sadu weaving, crochet, hand-woven textiles, and distinctive Najdi and Hail door making.

Other highlights include traditional clothing, Thamudic embroidery, wood and leather beading, fiber arts, resin art, and soap making, the SPA added.

Visitors can also savor a variety of traditional folk foods. At the heart of the festival, an artistic theater hosts performances, including the Hail Samri and Saudi Ardah.

The festival also provides a platform for local craftspeople to showcase their work directly to the public.