Top destinations to enjoy during the long Ramadan nights

Top destinations to enjoy during the long Ramadan nights
A Ramadan market in Al-Ahsa where locals and visitors can explore and enjoy Saudi products and food during the holy month. (SPA)
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Updated 23 March 2023

Top destinations to enjoy during the long Ramadan nights

Top destinations to enjoy during the long Ramadan nights

JEDDAH: Ramadan in Saudi Arabia is a different experience to the rest of the year, as the days are slow and calm while the post-iftar evenings are abuzz with life and activity until sahoor.

There is no shortage of Ramadan-related activities, events and bazaars to enjoy across the Kingdom, filled with joyful experiences and a chance to enter into the spirit of the season. Visitors.

Here is a handy list of some of the best places and events throughout the country where locals and visitors can gather to savor the spiritual, lively atmosphere in the Kingdom during the long evenings of the holy month.

Riyadh

Qasr Al-Hukm is a favorite destination for many people during Ramadan, as it includes several traditional souqs, including Al-Maigliah, Al-Taamer and Al-Zel markets, which offer a fun shopping experience.




Qasr Al-Hukm is a favorite destination for many people during Ramadan in Riyadh. (Saudi Tourism photo)

Al-Safarat, or the Diplomatic Quarter, is a great area to visit to enjoy food, as it is filled with fantastic cafes and restaurants, many of which will have special Ramadan offers.

The Gulf Spring Cafe in Diriyah, located in the heart of the mesmerizing historical city, is considered by many one of the best places to visit in Riyadh during the holy month.

Jeddah

Al-Balad, or Historical Jeddah, is a top destination in the city where past and present collide to offer a wide selection of art, culture, food stalls, workshops, seminars, galleries, museums and more.

Bisat Al-Reeh is an exhibition and marketplace at Jeddah International Exhibition and Convention Center. It offers a range of merchandise, some of which is free or sold at very reasonable prices.




Historical buildings in Jeddah’s Al-Balad area, one of the UNESCO-listed heritage sites in Saudi Arabia. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

Jeddah Waterfront is the place to go for some entertaining light shows this year, featuring drones and fireworks.

The Tofareya Tent Restaurant, beside Lake Arbaeen, serves traditional Saudi cuisine in a modern style, with stunning views over the lake.

AlUla

The Old Town is adorned with Ramadan decorations and ready to welcome visitors who can wander through its historical alleys where they can stop and shop, eat, and learn about the area’s incredible history, or simply stroll around and savor the moment.




AlUla the Old Town. (Saudi Tourism photo)

Alkhobar 

Villaggio Restaurant Village is a traditional Saudi village-themed venue that contains more than 30 restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, a dancing fountain and green space, making it a perfect destination to enjoy food in a modern urban atmosphere with more than a hint of the past.

Dammam

At Coral Island, visitors can enjoy the cool sea breeze while riding a boat, swimming, strolling, or enjoying the food at a restaurants, among other options.

Dammam Waterfront offers a wide variety of attractions and experiences in one place, whether you want to keep fit, go shopping or simply meet up with friends and family.

The Heritage Village, consisting of five floors, each of which represents the traditions and culture of a particular region of the Kingdom, has been specially decorated for Ramadan.

Visitors to Dammam Traditional Market can learn about the history of the city as they shop for local merchandise.

Dhahran

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, also known as Ithra, is hosting many Ramadan festivities, shows, workshops, exhibitions, labs, cafes, restaurants, and other events during the holy month.

Taybeen Museum takes visitors on a tour of the past, with its displays that showcase the objects and products previous generations of Saudis used in their daily lives.




The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, also known as Ithra. (Saudi Tourism photo)

Yanbu

Flowers Park, one of Yanbu’s most beautiful public parks, has five specialist zones: the garden, a playground, a butterfly garden, the Rio Team Birds Garden, and a food area with restaurants.

Al-Shafa Market is a delicious destination that offers a memorable Saudi food experience, featuring dishes from every region.

Yanbu Historic Area is the place to go for cultural and traditional celebrations hosted in the heart of the old city. In this historic area, performers and vendors keep the festive spirit alive through their performances, food options, games and more.

Abha 

Shamsan Historical Castle is an amazing historical sites in the south of the Kingdom. Built on a mountain during the days of the Ottoman Empire, the structure helped to defend the city. After learning about the history of the site, visitors can explore the surrounding area, which includes many restaurants.




Shamsan Historical Castle. (Saudi Tourism photo)

Al-Habala, or the “Hanging Village” is a historical mountain settlement that has been turned into a park and is reached via cable car. In addition to exploring traditional homes and other buildings, visitors can enjoy toboggan rides, go camping, and get closer to nature.

A visit to Jabla Sawda, or Sawda Mountain, one of Saudi Arabia’s highest summits, could be the height of adventure during Ramadan.

Jazan 

The seven Jazan Museums — Dr. Ali Mohammed Awaji Museum, Ibrahim Montag Museum, Al-Aliyah Museum, Bi’ir Museum, Zayla’I Maritime Museum, Mount Texan Museum, and Jazan Museum of Archaeology and Heritage — reveal a different side of Jazan, its culture and heritage.

Visitors to the Jazan Heritage Village can learn about how the people of the area lived in olden times, including their clothes, accessories and architecture.

At the Fifa Mountains, you can ride a cable car, enjoy on a safari trip into the heart of the forest, or simply relax and meditate in nature.

Qassim

Jidiyah Heritage Castle, a prominent historical site in the region, is well worth a visit.

Take a trip to Garden Talents, a nature reserve in Buraidah, and see hundreds of colorful birds of various species.


Solomon Islands PM discusses climate change with Saudi envoy

Solomon Islands PM discusses climate change with Saudi envoy
Updated 15 sec ago

Solomon Islands PM discusses climate change with Saudi envoy

Solomon Islands PM discusses climate change with Saudi envoy

RIYADH: Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare received Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Affairs Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir in the capital, Riyadh, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said on Thursday.

During the reception, Al-Jubeir conveyed greetings from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and wishes to the government and people of the Solomon Islands for continued stability, progress and prosperity.
 
They reviewed bilateral relations and ways to develop them in various fields, and the Kingdom’s efforts and initiatives to preserve the environment and limit climate change. 

A number of regional and international issues and developments of common concern were also discussed.

Al-Jubeir met with the Cypriot Foreign Minister Dr. Constantinos Kombos, where they reviewed relations between the two countries, and ways to enhance and develop them in various fields, including the environment and limiting the effects of climate change.

He also held separate talks with Emanuela Claudia Del Re, the EU special representative for the Sahel, to discuss cooperation, and Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister, Waleed Al-Khuraiji, held talks with British Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and the UN Lord Tariq Ahmad on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh in Riyadh.

Al-Khuraiji also met Tobias Lindner, minister of state at the German Foreign Office.


OIC praises Saudi Arabia’s continuous support to empowering women

OIC praises Saudi Arabia’s continuous support to empowering women
Updated 19 min 48 sec ago

OIC praises Saudi Arabia’s continuous support to empowering women

OIC praises Saudi Arabia’s continuous support to empowering women

CAIRO: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation expressed its appreciation and gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its continued support for women’s empowerment and generous patronage that enables the OIC to carry out its work in all fields to the fullest, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The comments were made by Tarig Ali Bakheet, assistant secretary-general for humanitarian, social and cultural Affairs, on behalf of the head of the organization, Hissein Brahim Taha, during a high-level session of the Women Development Organization in the OIC member states in Cairo.
He praised the offer made by the Kingdom to host an international conference on women’s rights in Islam, in coordination with the OIC, with the aim of clarifying the rights and responsibilities guaranteed to them, especially the right to education and work, in accordance with the teachings of Islam.
Bakheet called for defending women’s rights in education, training and work, and employing their capabilities in social and practical life in member states, including economy, trade, and political and economic decision-making.
He stressed that the OIC harnesses all its capabilities to support the WDO to achieve its desired goals, praising the efforts of the team for the goals they set to empower women in the Arab and Islamic world.


Saudi foreign minister meets French, Lebanese counterparts

Saudi foreign minister meets French, Lebanese counterparts
Updated 5 min 39 sec ago

Saudi foreign minister meets French, Lebanese counterparts

Saudi foreign minister meets French, Lebanese counterparts

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan met his French counterpart Catherine Colonna on Thursday, on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition against Daesh in Riyadh.

They reviewed the strong relations between the Kingdom and France, and ways to enhance ties in various fields, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

The two ministers also discussed the latest developments in the international arena and addressed prominent topics at the ministerial meeting.

Prince Faisal also met today with Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Abdallah Bouhabib, on the sidelines of the meeting.

Prince Faisal expressed the Saudi leadership’s gratitude and appreciation for all the efforts made by the security services in Lebanon for their quick response in freeing the Saudi citizen who had been kidnapped.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations and ways to develop them in several fields and discussed regional and international developments key issues raised in the ministerial meeting.

 

 


Qassim police arrest man over alleged drugs offenses

Qassim police arrest man over alleged drugs offenses
Updated 50 min 54 sec ago

Qassim police arrest man over alleged drugs offenses

Qassim police arrest man over alleged drugs offenses
  • He was also found to be in possession of firearms, live ammunition, mobile phones, and large sums of money

RASS: Police officers in Rass governorate in the Qassim region have arrested a man for allegedly attempting to sell hashish, amphetamines, and narcotic tablets.

He was also found to be in possession of firearms, live ammunition, mobile phones, and large sums of money. His case has been referred to legal authorities.

Anyone with information concerning drug smuggling or trafficking can report it by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and eastern regions of Saudi Arabia, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom.
 


European film festival underway at Riyadh’s Sahara Mall 

European film festival underway at Riyadh’s Sahara Mall 
Updated 58 min 50 sec ago

European film festival underway at Riyadh’s Sahara Mall 

European film festival underway at Riyadh’s Sahara Mall 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s second European Film Festival is being held at VOX Cinemas Sahara Mall in Riyadh, with the screening of 16 films from different countries.

The festival, running until June 14, includes Oscar-nominee “Quiet Girl,” “I am Zlatan” by Jens Sjogren, telling the story of Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and “Sugar and Stars” by Riadh Belaiche, which will be screened for the first time in the Arab world at the festival. 

The event is held in cooperation with the embassies of the EU member states and Arabia Pictures Entertainment.

Patrick Simonnet, EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said: “We are keen to be part of the growing cultural scene of Saudi Arabia through various events that foster cultural exchange and engage Europeans and Saudis on aspects of mutual interest such as film in this instance. 

“People-to-people engagement is an important pillar of the EU’s strategic partnership with the Gulf.”

Abdulelah Al-Ahmary, founder of Arabia Pictures Entertainment, said it was keen to make the festival “a special cinematic experience for all the film buffs in Saudi Arabia.”

The festival will also give European and Saudi filmmakers the chance to swap ideas and knowledge at dedicated side events.

Guests will include directors Nuno Beato, Sebastien Tulard and Isabel Fernandez from Portugal, France and Spain respectively, who will meet the audiences and run an open conversation with filmmakers and film enthusiasts.

All screenings and side events will take place at VOX Cinemas Sahara Mall.  The full festival list has films from Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.