Tourism in Al Ahsa

The natural springs in Al Ahsa are recognized to have ‘healing’ qualities because of the high concentration of minerals in the water. They have been attracting visitors from all over the world for medical treatment as well as nature tourism. Some of the most visited springs in the area include Al-Jawhariah, Um Sab’ah, Al-Khodoud, and Al-Harah. You can take a dip in one of the beautiful springs, drink some of the healing water, or just relax and enjoy the scenery, anyways you are bound to have a memorable visit.

As mentioned earlier, Al Ahsa features a wide variety of palm trees, the city is known for producing multiple kinds of dates, all of which are of premium quality. So make sure to try as much date varieties as you can, and then shop for some to take back. The largest date oasis in Saudi Arabia, no trip to Al-Ahsa is complete without trying Khalasah date, which grows exclusively in Al-Ahsa and is deemed to be one the best kinds of date in the world. You can easily find numerous date shops in the city, from small street-side vendors to luxurious date shops, so date- shopping should be an enjoyable feat. Also make sure to try the local bread made of dates, Hezawi bread, it is absolutely delicious. Try it as the locals do, with some cheese to cut the sweetness.

Spreading over 12 square kilometers, The Yellow Lake is one of the few natural bodies of water in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is a shallow wetland and habitat for wildlife and birds in which water is originated from the drainage water collected by the earthen drainage network. Al Asfar Lake is situated on the outskirts of Al-Ahsa surrounded by miles and miles of sand, there is no road leading to the lake. The only way to visit is by exploring the desert on a safari trip, preferably in a 4 by 4 car with an experienced tour guide as phone signals are not dependable in the desert. As dangerous as it may sound, this trip is so worth it, it can be the adventure of a lifetime, and the view more than makes up for the hard trip.

Qaisariya Souk is a 200 years old open-air market in Al Ahsa. The earliest it has been mentioned is in the diaries of travelers dating back to 1822. Therefore, it is considered one of the oldest markets in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. What makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city is that it hasn’t changed much through the past two centuries. The 420 shops are made of clay bricks that keep it cool throughout the year, which resonates with the ancient architectural style of the region. The souq spans over 7,000 square meters, you can find everything and more in the small shops of the market, from clothes, perfumes, oils, spices, vintage crockery, carpets, and jewelry.