Al Khobar

Al Khobar is a coastal city in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, on the shore of the Arabian Gulf. Its coastal setting and the chain of corniche that runs along the shore have made it one of the most prominent tourist and recreational destinations in the Eastern Province.[1]

Al Khobar Governorate is the favourite tourist destination of many citizens in the Kingdom and in neighbouring Gulf states, especially during holidays and official breaks, and Al Khobar Municipality oversees the development of the waterfront as part of its strategy to turn it into an attractive tourist destination.[1][2]

Al Khobar embraces a chain of corniche running along the shore of the Arabian Gulf, with recreational facilities, gardens and natural scenery, while Al Khobar Municipality works on developing the waterfront as part of its strategy to turn it into an attractive tourist destination.[1]

Paths reserved for walking, running and cycling run along the promenade, equipped with lighting, benches, shaded areas and outdoor exercise stations. The corniche facilities include football and basketball courts and children's play areas, alongside gardens and green spaces provided with seating areas and barbecue spots.[1]

The North Al Khobar Corniche, in all its phases, extends over more than 3,500 metres with a total area exceeding 310,000 square metres, and forms one of the main components of improving quality of life in Al Khobar, in line with the Quality of Life Program.[3]

The first phase of the corniche was inaugurated on 27 Ramadan 1438 AH (22 June 2017), with a length of one kilometre, a width ranging between 60 and 116 metres and a total area exceeding 110,000 square metres; it includes a seaside walkway 980 metres long, a cycling path 700 metres long and parking for about 430 cars.[2]

The third phase opened on 15 Jumada al-Awwal 1442 AH (30 December 2020), with a length of 1,200 metres and a total area exceeding 138,000 square metres; it includes green areas covering more than 25,000 square metres, more than 1,300 trees, pedestrian walkways alongside the sea, seating benches, two children's play areas, inclusive play equipment for children with disabilities, restrooms and car parks, with an area of about 20,000 square metres set aside for investment projects.[3]

Al Khobar Municipality completed 1,100 metres of a total 3,300 metres of the North Al Khobar Corniche development project, which was carried out in several phases; it includes a pedestrian path alongside the sea at a width of no less than 12 metres and a services area at a width of no less than 20 metres, while the corniche car parks accommodate 2,000 cars.[4]

Al Khobar Municipality inaugurated the Al Khobar Walk project on 13 Rajab 1441 AH (8 March 2020) over an area of 31,000 square metres; it includes a promenade 3 kilometres long and 8 metres wide, a Roman theatre with seating for about 200 people and car parks accommodating 200 cars.[5]

On 17 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1447 AH (4 May 2026), the Eastern Province Municipality inaugurated the Al Khobar Terrace project as the first phase of developing the Al Khobar waterfront; it extends over an area of 40,000 square metres with a sea view of more than 600 linear metres.[6]

Al Khobar Terrace comprises more than 20 recreational elements, including sports courts, walking and cycling paths, an interactive musical fountain covering 400 square metres and electric vehicle charging points, as well as a telescope installed for the first time at the level of the Eastern Province.[6]

On 24 Safar 1447 AH (18 August 2025), the Eastern Province Municipality began developing the extension of the Al Sadfa Corniche in Al Khobar over an area exceeding 40,000 square metres and a length of 2 km, bringing the total length of the corniche to about 2.95 km.[7]

The Hala Saudi festival, held on the waterfront of the Al Khobar Corniche, attracted more than 13,000 visitors from among young people and families over three days from its launch on 3 Jumada al-Awwal 1439 AH (20 January 2018).[8]

The Al Khobar tourist festival Eish Jouk was held from 24 Rabi' al-Awwal to 4 Rabi' al-Thani 1436 AH (January 2015) during the mid-year school holiday, on the initiative of Al Khobar Municipality, with the participation of the relevant government agencies and under the chairmanship of the Governor of Al Khobar.[9]

The King Fahd Causeway Authority won two international awards on 20 Jumada al-Awwal 1446 AH (22 November 2024) in the International Customer Experience Awards 24: gold in the Customers at the Heart of Everything category and bronze in the Best Cultural Change and Customer Experience Transformation category.[10]

Q: Where is Al Khobar located? A: On the shore of the Arabian Gulf in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.[1]

Q: What are the most prominent landmarks of the Al Khobar waterfront? A: The North Al Khobar Corniche, the Al Khobar Walk project, Al Khobar Terrace and the extension of the Al Sadfa Corniche.[3][5][6][7]

Q: How long is the North Al Khobar Corniche and what is its area? A: In all its phases it extends over more than 3,500 metres, with a total area exceeding 310,000 square metres.[3]

Q: Which events does the Al Khobar waterfront host? A: The Hala Saudi festival and the Al Khobar tourist festival Eish Jouk.[8][9]

Al Khobar combines its coastal position on the shore of the Arabian Gulf [1] with a waterfront developed in phases, including the North Al Khobar Corniche at more than 3,500 metres long and more than 310,000 square metres in area [3], recent projects such as the Al Khobar Walk, Al Khobar Terrace and the extension of the Al Sadfa Corniche [5][6][7], and seasonal events that draw visitors from within the Kingdom and neighbouring Gulf states.[2][8][9] Related topics on the platform include Dammam, Jubail and Tarout Island.