Khobar Water Tower
Central Corniche
The city’s best-known landmark, with fountains and gardens at its foot.
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Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Al Khobar Corniche
Al Khobar's seafront promenade along the Gulf, with gardens, paths, playgrounds and the Water Tower as its landmark — and Prince Turki Street's cafés right behind it.
Favourite places
Seafront promenade
Along the Gulf
Paved paths for walking, jogging and cycling by the water.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Gardens and playgrounds
Throughout the Corniche
Lawns, palms and play areas for families.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Prince Turki Street
Behind the Corniche
A street of cafés and restaurants facing the seafront.
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Local food
Hamour (grouper)
Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
The favourite fish of the Gulf coast, served grilled, fried or cooked with spiced rice (machboos). Eastern Province fish restaurants usually let you pick the fish and the way it is cooked.
Mutabbaq
Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Thin dough folded around minced meat, egg, leek and spices and fried on a hot griddle — a favourite evening street snack, sweet versions are filled with banana or cheese.
Saudi coffee (qahwa) and dates
Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Lightly roasted coffee brewed with cardamom, sometimes saffron or cloves, poured in small cups from a dallah and always served with dates. Offering it is the first gesture of hospitality; shake the cup gently when you have had enough.Read more
Where to eat
Prince Turki Street
Facing the Al Khobar Corniche
Al Khobar's best-known restaurant and café street, running parallel to the Corniche, with Saudi, Gulf, Middle Eastern and international food and outdoor seating in the cooler months.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Seafood restaurants
Dammam and Al Khobar
Fish restaurants across the two cities serve the catch of the Gulf — hamour, shrimp and other local fish — grilled, fried or with machboos rice. Many let you choose your fish from the counter.
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Where to stay
Al Khobar Corniche and Prince Turki Street
Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
The liveliest place to stay in the Eastern Province: hotels facing the sea, with the Corniche, cafés and restaurants on the doorstep and the King Fahd Causeway a short drive away.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Downtown Al Khobar and Al Olaya
Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Mid-range and business hotels around the older downtown streets and the Al Olaya district, close to the malls and King Fahd Road towards Dhahran.
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Culture
On cool evenings the Corniche is packed with families, joggers and friends sharing coffee on the grass. Fishing from the rocks is a common pastime.
History
The Al Khobar Corniche was created as the city grew with the oil industry, turning the old shoreline into a continuous seafront park. It runs along the city's eastern edge, past the Water Tower and towards the start of the King Fahd Causeway.
It has long been the place where the city comes out in the evening, and in recent years the seafront has been upgraded with new walkways, seating and lighting.
Tour plans
Khobar Corniche evening
EveningStep 1: Water Tower
Start at the tower and its fountains as the sun goes down.
Step 2: Seafront walk
Stroll along the promenade with the families.
Step 3: Prince Turki Street
Cross over for dinner or a coffee with a sea view.
Map
Travel information
Best time to visit
Evenings from November to March are best; in summer go after sunset or at dawn.
How to get there
The Corniche runs along the sea side of Al Khobar. Take a taxi or ride-hailing car to the Water Tower or Prince Turki Street and start from there.
Getting around
Walk or cycle along the promenade. It is long, so choose a section — around the Water Tower is the most popular.
Travel tips
- Weekend nights are very crowded; come earlier to find parking.
- Combine with dinner on Prince Turki Street.
- Dress modestly in public: for men and women, clothes that cover the shoulders and knees; women are not required to wear an abaya or cover their hair, but loose clothing is expected. Some shops and small businesses close briefly at each of the five daily prayer times, and on Friday many open only after the midday prayer. The weekend is Friday and Saturday.
