HAQL: Al-Nakheel Park, a 28,000-square-meter seafront destination in Saudi Arabia’s northwest, has seen a surge of family visitors over the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, cementing the rise of Haql governorate as one of the Kingdom’s emerging coastal tourism spots.
The park, set on Kingdom’s far northwestern tip some 220 kilometers north of Tabuk City, combines manicured green spaces, paved cycling and walking paths, and a natural beach into a single seafront setting — all framed by the kind of panoramic cross-border views rarely found anywhere else in the region.
Haql offers visitors a unique blend of serenity and scenic charm. (SPA)
During a field tour over the holiday, the Saudi Press Agency observed a steady influx of families and young people drawn by the sea and surrounding nature. Visitors described the park as a visual masterpiece, particularly prized for its tall palm trees, refreshing sea breeze, and relaxed atmosphere.
The park also features children’s play areas, seating, restrooms, and parking, making it a practical as well as scenic day-out destination.
Haql’s appeal, however, extends well beyond the park’s boundaries. The governorate has steadily built a reputation as one of the Kingdom’s most distinctive coastal retreats, drawing visitors with clean beaches, low humidity, and a mild climate that sets it apart from many of Saudi Arabia’s hotter, more humid shorelines.
At sunset, the Al-Zaytah Mountains glow with a warm light, casting stunning gradients across the red sands. (SPA photo)
Inland, the Al-Zaytah Mountains — whose sandstone formations line the route from Tabuk to Haql — add a dramatic geological backdrop to the journey. At sunset, the mountains are known to glow amber and red, casting warm gradients across the dunes below, a spectacle that has made them a growing favorite among photographers and nature lovers.
Together, the mountains, coastline, and park have positioned Haql as a rare destination where desert, sea, and international geography intersect — and where, at least for this Eid, Saudi families appeared happy to spend their holidays.
