19 Mar 2024
20 Mar 2024
Rooms
Adults
ChildrenAges 0-12

A city in The Tabuk Province

Places to Visit in Tabuk

A city in The Tabuk Province

Destinations in The Tabuk Province

Explore other cities of Saudi Arabia

Abha
Al Bahah
Khobar
Al Ula
Buraydah
Dammam
Ha'il
Jazan
Jeddah
Jubail
Madinah
Makkah
Najran area
Riyadh
Tabuk
Taif
Yanbu

Oasis city of the north

A city in an oasis, Tabuk is the capital of the Tabuk Province, which is also home to the $500 Billion NEOM Giga Project. Tabuk is located in the northwest of the country near the Jordanian border and the Gulf of Aqaba. Tabuk is a rapidly growing industrial center and also houses Saudi Arabia’s largest airforce base. The city has a rich history and various artifacts and relics have been found in the city and its surrounding areas. It used to be a major station of the Hejaz railway that carried pilgrims from Damascus to Medina. 

 

Tabuk is known for its great archeological wonders. You will find some well-preserved relics and artifacts in the city. For instance, the Hijaz Railway Station (Tabuk station) which was established in 1900 AD used to be an important stop along the Hejaz railway. Now it contains a preserved and restored railway engine, freight cars, relics, and manuscripts of that time. It is one of the must-visit tourist spots of the city.

History

The city of Tabuk gained historical significance as it was the place of Ghazwa Tabuk. This was the final military expedition led by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and was in response to the growing threat of a possible Byzantine invasion. The Byzantines wanted to control this region as it was an important caravan trade route. The city of Tabuk has been home to various travelers, pilgrims, traders, and merchants throughout history. It has played an important role as a hub of commerce. Due to its location, it has also served as an important crossroad for pilgrims. It was one of the major stations of the Hejaz railway. 

 

Tabuk is also renowned for being the place where Prophet Musa (AS) spent ten years of his life. Visitors love Tabuk for its glorious history and find it to be a great place to explore these historical connections. 

Geography

Tabuk is set within a fertile oasis. The city has a great natural reserve of water that makes it a great site for agriculture. Cereals like wheat along with different fruits and vegetables are grown in the city. Tabuk is also known for its roses, these roses are not only sold locally but are also exported to European countries. The climate of Tabuk is mild all year round, making it a perfect tourist destination. Tabuk is also home to the famous flower and fruit festival that showcases over 200 different varieties of fruits and flowers. It is really a spectacular display of colors that is greatly enjoyed by visitors. One of the rare and surprising features of Tabuk is that you can also witness snow in the city. This is especially surprising for visitors who are used to witnessing the hot desert climate of Saudi Arabia.

Cultural Life

The culture of Tabuk has been greatly influenced by the pilgrims and travelers coming in from Egypt, Jordan, and the nearby countries. Being a historical gateway into the Arabian peninsula, Tabuk has been a hub of many diverse cultures. The Hejaz railway station in Tabuk and its Ottoman influence have also shaped the culture of the city. Today, you will find the city to be a lively place bustling with energy. The locals are welcoming and show great hospitality to tourists. You can really get a great idea of the city’s culture by taking a stroll down the famous Souq Twaheen of Tabuk.

Popular Attractions

At the very center of the city, you will find the ancient Tabuk Ottoman Castle. It is among some of the most well-known attractions of the city and includes a mosque as well as well-preserved guard towers. This old castle also houses a museum that offers tourists a detailed timeline of the interesting history of the province. The Hijaz Railway Station (Tabuk station) is another great historical spot of the Ottoman era. Tabuk is also known for the Al Tawba Mosque. The Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) stayed at this mosque during the expedition of Tabuk. This mosque was renovated by King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz in a manner similar to the Masjid An Nabawi of Madinah.

 

If you head out from the city of Tabuk, you can also explore some of nature’s finest landscapes. Wadi Disah is a splendid valley covered with majestic palm trees. Adventure seekers love hiking through this marvelous natural wonder. Similarly, another enchanting valley of the region is the Wadi Tayyib Al Ism. This valley is situated near the famous coastal town of Maqna. Just nearby, you will also find the 12 Springs of Prophet Moses (A.S.) and the Catalina Seaplane Wreckage. Umluj is a small coastal town in Tabuk province that contains more than 100 beautiful islands. This place has often been dubbed as the ‘Maldives of Saudi Arabia’ and is known for pristine beaches and coral reefs.   

Tabuk