Details
📍 Location & Meaning of the Name
- Tabuk is the capital of the Tabuk Province,
located in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, about 200 km from the
Jordanian border.
- The name “Tabuk” is ancient; some link it to the Arabic word
for “a place of water”, as it has long been an oasis settlement on
caravan and pilgrimage routes.
🏛 History
- Tabuk has been settled since antiquity, with evidence of Nabataean
and pre-Islamic civilizations.
- It is famously connected with the Expedition of Tabuk (630 CE),
when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ led an army north, marking the city’s importance
in early Islamic history.
- During the Ottoman period, Tabuk was a key stop on the Syrian–Egyptian
Hajj route and hosted a fort (now Tabuk Castle) and railway station on
the Hejaz Railway.
- Today, it is both a historic and strategic city, with proximity to Neom,
Saudi Arabia’s futuristic mega-project.
🌤 Weather & Climate
- Tabuk has a hot desert climate but is cooler than much of
Arabia due to its elevation (~760 m).
- Summers: hot but less extreme than central Saudi
Arabia, 30–38 °C.
- Winters: cold nights, sometimes near freezing,
with rare snowfall in surrounding mountains.
- Best time to visit: October–April.
👥 People & Culture
- Population: about 600,000 in the city.
- Traditionally home to Bedouin tribes, today it has a mix of
Saudis and expatriates.
- Culture emphasizes hospitality, Islamic tradition, and Bedouin
heritage, with a slower, more traditional pace of life compared to
larger cities.
🏞 Best Places to Visit
- Tabuk Castle – restored Ottoman fort, with exhibits
on Islamic and Ottoman history.
- Hejaz Railway Station –
remnants of the historic railway used during the Ottoman era.
- Wadi Al-Disah – stunning valley with sandstone cliffs,
palm groves, and springs, often called Saudi Arabia’s hidden paradise.
- Maghaer Shuaib (Madyan) –
ancient rock-carved tombs linked in tradition to Prophet Shuaib.
- Tayma & Al-Bidaa –
archaeological sites with inscriptions and ancient ruins.
- Beaches of the Red Sea (nearby) –
untouched coastal spots west of Tabuk.
🍽 Food
- Local cuisine highlights Kabsa, Mandi, grilled lamb, and Bedouin-style
breads.
- Dates, Arabic coffee, and honey from nearby valleys are
specialties.
- Seafood is also popular due to proximity to the Red Sea coast.
🎭 What It Offers Tourists
- History & heritage:
Islamic, Nabataean, and Ottoman landmarks.
- Nature & adventure:
mountain landscapes, wadis, deserts, and Red Sea coastlines.
- Cultural immersion:
traditional souks, Bedouin hospitality, and local crafts.
- Future tourism: Tabuk is near Neom, the upcoming
futuristic smart city, which will make the region even more attractive for
visitors.
👉
Tabuk is often called the “Gateway to the North.” It offers tourists a
blend of Islamic history, ancient civilizations, mountain and desert beauty,
and authentic Arabian culture, making it one of Saudi Arabia’s most unique
destinations.