📖 About Al Khobar

Al Khobar is a thriving coastal city in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, part of the Dammam Metropolitan Area alongside Dammam and Dhahran. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf, it has transformed from a small fishing village into one of the Kingdom's most cosmopolitan and business-friendly cities.

In 2025, Al Khobar is at the forefront of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 tourism initiative. The TOURISE 2025 Summit announced SAR 7 billion ($1.9 billion) in new tourism investments, including the transformative Al-Khobar Pier project spanning 671,000 square meters with an 850-meter waterfront.

The Eastern Province is implementing over 650 tourism projects valued at SAR 12.7 billion, with Al Khobar welcoming more than 13.4 million tourists whose spending exceeded SAR 18.5 billion. Khobar Season 2025 has attracted over one million visitors with events across 20+ locations.

🏛️ Top Attractions

💼 Economy & Culture

Al Khobar's economy is anchored by the petroleum industry but is rapidly diversifying under Vision 2030. The city serves as a commercial hub for the Eastern Province's oil operations while developing tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors. Major investments in waterfront development are creating thousands of new jobs.

The city reflects Saudi Arabia's cultural evolution, blending traditional Arabian hospitality with modern cosmopolitan lifestyle. Its proximity to Bahrain via the King Fahd Causeway creates a unique cross-border dynamic. The diverse expatriate community adds international flavor while local traditions of hospitality, cuisine, and Gulf culture remain central to daily life.

📜 History

Al Khobar began as a small fishing and pearl diving village on the Gulf coast. The discovery of oil at nearby Dhahran in 1938 transformed the entire region. As Aramco developed the oil industry, Al Khobar grew into a support city for petroleum operations and a home for workers from around the world.

The 1986 opening of the King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain further elevated Al Khobar's strategic importance. Since then, the city has evolved from an industrial support town into a modern business and leisure destination. Today, massive Vision 2030 investments are writing the next chapter, positioning Al Khobar as one of the Gulf's premier coastal tourism destinations.