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Explore Yanbu

A city in the Madinah region

Drive just a few hours west of Medina to the port of Yanbu, which is really two distinct cities. The new city to the south is known for its oil refineries and industrial plants, whereas the old town to the north is an ancient spice route staging post where T.E. Lawrence — the British military officer famous for his role in the Great Arab Revolt — lived in a typical Hijazi building at some point between 1915 and 1916. You’ll find many of the attractions in the historical area around the harbor, which comes alive at night. Join locals eating Red Sea-caught fish while overlooking the water. Discover the nearby glowing lanes of the recently restored Souq Al Lail (night market), originally open late to serve fishermen. Local dates and green mulkhiah leaves are among the produce sold.

Discover tour packages in Yanbu

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Activities in Yanbu

Relaxing Yanbu

A Weekend Break at Yanbu

Yanbu’s well-developed coast, scenic lake, and historic area (that houses a building where Lawrence of Arabia stayed!) make it the perfect destination for a leisurely weekend jaunt.

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Food Yanbu

The Culinary Catch of Yanbu

If there is one place that brings people together, it's the dinner table. And on this particular occasion, we're talking about the Yanbu spread.

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Water Activities Yanbu

A Deep Dive in Yanbu

While the relatively small port city began significant development as an industrial powerhouse in the 1970s, Yanbu’s history dates back to around 500BC with the Minaeans.

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Relaxing Yanbu

The Family Friendly Shores of Yanbu

The city of Yanbu has a deep connection to the ancient spice trade route in the Red Sea. For years, it was a pitstop for merchants travelling along the caravan route between Egypt, Jordan and Jeddah.

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Nature Yanbu

Parks & Gardens of Yanbu

Discover Yanbu’s parks and public spaces that are perfect for summer picnics and refreshing walks.

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When in Yanbu, Go and Explore

Discover Radwa Mount

To the northeast of the city, Radwa Mount is a colossal icon that stands 2,282 meters tall. Throughout the years, its jagged peaks and curious red color have inspired many Arabic poets, including Hassan Ibn Thabit, one of the sahaba, or companions, of the Prophet Muhammad. Radwa is the highest point in the Al Nakhil range, which is known for its honey and wild nature, with wolves, lynx, tigers and ibex roaming the landscape. There are regular tours from Yanbu to explore this place of poetic beauty.

Visit the Home of T.E. Lawrence

Surrounded by evocatively crumbling coral-stone buildings, the home where T.E. Lawrence, author of the Seven Pillars of Wisdom and inspiration for Lawrence of Arabia, once lived has been restored as a museum to the British officer’s remarkable story. The young Lawrence lived here in 1915 and 1916. Locals had left the house to decay, fearing it was haunted. Now renovated, it is a place to soak in the story of a complex man who changed the Arab world forever.

Explore Red Sea Diving and Waterfront Activities

You can enjoy some of the best diving in Saudi Arabia in the warm, rich waters off Yanbu, and a handful of dive centers in the city cater to underwater adventurers. Even in winter, the water in this part of the Red Sea never drops below 20 degrees Celsius. Popular sites include Seven Sisters, best-known for its hammerhead sharks, though tiger sharks and tuna are often seen around the walls of coral too; Abu Galawa, a paradise island surrounded by coral grottoes, sharks and schools of barracuda; and the wreck of the SS Iona, now a beautiful living reef. Prefer to stay above water? Head to Yanbu Waterfront for fishing and bird-watching — it’s a great place to introduce young travelers to wildlife observation.

Travel tips

Where to stay
During your winter getaway, choose from the five-star Mövenpick Hotel, with its stunning pool; the slick, business-friendly Novotel close to the corniche; the motel-style Holiday Inn, with its striking desert architecture; or the brisk and modern Ibis.
Where to eat
Want fast food? Patch Burger serves up American-style burgers, while Al Zaeem is a classic Saudi fried chicken joint. The best options for Yanbu’s famous seafood are Al Marsah and the Najil Arab Seafood Family Restaurant.
Where to have fun
Enjoy al fresco fun in the landscaped gardens and fountains of Yanbu Lake Park or take a sunset stroll along the palm-lined waterfront of the city’s corniche. See Yanbu’s heritage brought to life at Radwa Museum and downtown, in the beguiling streets, souqs and buildings of the old district.
- Yanbu Lake Parks
Rent a car
Car rental companies, including Enterprise, Budget, Al Wefaq and Theeb, are dotted along the King Abdulaziz Road, which links the new and old cities.
- Enterprise
- Budget
- Al Wefaq
- Theeb

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Explore Yanbu

Yanbu