Best Things to do in Dammam Saudi Arabia

Published On : 04 Sep 2024

This city lies in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia and it is an important seaport situated on the shores of the Persian Gulf and is the capital of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Today, Dammam has many shopping malls, restaurants, and modern architecture along with the authentic Saudi Arabian architectural design that makes the visitor rich in many options when it comes to entertainment and recreational activities. Here are some of the best things to consider and do when you decide to visit Dammam.

Ibn Battuta Mall
The Ibn Battuta Mall is another attraction that one cannot afford to miss while in Dammam; the mall is very large. This shopping mall is comprised of six themed courts based on the journey of a famous 14th-century trader Ibn Battuta, including the Andalusian Court, the Tunisian Court, the Egyptian Court, the Indian Court, and the Chinese Court. Touted as the largest mall in Southeast Asia, this mall alone has more than 450 outlets, 50 eating establishments, an amusement park, a cinema, and an ice skating rink to boot! Giants elephants are dancing at the Indian court or there is a gorgeous Chinese junkboat to behold.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Visit the seafood market, or eat some fresh seafood at the beach; if you are adventurous try scuba diving or snorkeling in the Persian Gulf waters. Operators provide a diving service and charter to the Dammam artificial reef, after which the area was named. Alternatively, you can snorkel directly from public beaches and possibly see fish or even a sea turtle if one is lucky. These are priceless moments that can be observed only if one is submerged in the water.

Half Moon Beach
For the hot and sunny days, visit Half Moon Beach which is among the most visited beaches on Ambergris. This is an extensive beach with golden sand, where one can go for a swim, lie down and tan, or take some food and have a picnic. It is allowed to take in rental beach umbrellas and chairs as well as food and drinks in the rental zone. Due to its rarity as a beach that is freely accessible to the public, Half Moon Beach is always filled during holidays and the weekends. For more relaxation go there on weekdays go there on weekdays.

Al-Shatea Camel Market
If you want to feel the Middle Eastern vibe and buy a camel, you can go to the Al-Shatea Camel Market outside Dammam. Business people from all over the region converge weekly on Thursday to conduct camel business and this is done in customary Arabic style with Arabs famous hospitality. Visit the pens to look at the various breeds of camel. Don’t forget to take a moment and pose for a picture with the camels. And see performances imitating camel beauty contests where the camels are assessed based on their coat, posture, and the like.

Heritage Village
Visit Al Dammam’s Heritage Village where tourists can experience and explore the village that reflects the true Arabian setting. Visit replicas of houses, shops, mosques, and streets to view how people lived, worked, and went about their daily lives several decades ago. Do not let the opportunity slip to get acquainted with the large Najdi house of wealthy pearl traders of the 19th century. Also, do not forget to visit the central market square, camel pens, date palm groves, and the craft area where you can buy traditional artifacts.

Try Local Cuisine
Tourists will have a great time experiencing the tasty local dishes of this area in the food establishments of Dammam. The standard Offerings are Kabsa which is chicken or meat prepared with rice and spices, Madghut which is spiced Lamb which is cooked in a Tandoor clay oven and Machbous which is shrimp or fish cooked over rice. For sweets, one can have maqamat, which is a sweet dough that is fried and soaked in syrup. Accompany all of this with Arabic coffee or fresh fruit juice. Visit Al Bahar or Abu Zaid restaurants on the Corniche area of the seafront or the Al Jazeerah area in the downtown area.

Dammam Corniche
An especially liked and frequently visited location is the Corniche, which is a sidewalk located along the coastal line. This is a beautiful tree-lined boulevard that runs for several kilometers with walking tracks, children's playgrounds, fountains, and sitting benches in between to enjoy sightseeing across the Gulf. From sunset till evening, the Corniche is filled with many people out for a walk and many vendors selling local handicraft products as well as foodstuffs.

Conclusion
Dammam has much to offer the traveler as it is currently fast becoming known for its arts scene and it is located by the sea, has old parts of the city and new parts. The Saudi city has a lot to offer – use this guide to get the most out of it. It’s also important that you be open to the Arabic customs and their warm welcomes as you go sightseeing in some of Dammam’s many attractions and fun activities.