Towers and outer walls
Around the palace
High mud-brick walls and towers with whitewashed details.
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Najran, Saudi Arabia
Historical Palace of the Emirate
A large mud-brick palace in the old centre of Najran, built in the 1940s as the seat of the regional governor, with towers, courtyards and many rooms.
Favourite places
Courtyards and rooms
Inside the palace
Many rooms around open courtyards, once used by the governor and his staff.
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Inside the palace
The palace’s own water supply, essential in the old days.
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Next to the palace
Traditional market for honey, dates and crafts.
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Local food
Areeka
Najran, Saudi Arabia
A southern speciality of whole-wheat dough kneaded with ghee and shaped into a mound with a hollow in the middle, filled with honey or date syrup. Eaten with the hands, usually at breakfast or for guests.
Haneeth
Najran, Saudi Arabia
Lamb slow-roasted until it falls off the bone, served over spiced rice — a dish of the south-western regions, often made for celebrations.
Saudi coffee (gahwa) and dates
Najran, Saudi Arabia
Lightly roasted coffee spiced with cardamom (sometimes saffron or cloves), poured in small cups from a dallah and always served with dates. Offering it is the first sign of welcome in any Saudi home, majlis or heritage site.Read more
Where to eat
Traditional souq
Older part of Najran, near the Emirate Palace
The old market area sells local honey, dates, spices, incense and crafts such as silver and traditional daggers, with small restaurants and tea stalls nearby.
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Central Najran
Local restaurants serving mandi, haneeth and kabsa, plus grills, bakeries and cafés. Most have family sections.
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Where to stay
Central Najran
Najran, Saudi Arabia
Hotels and furnished apartments near the main roads and the old market, a short drive from the Emirate Palace and Al-Ukhdood.
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Najran, Saudi Arabia
Quieter hotels and apartments near the palm groves of the wadi, closer to the mud-brick villages such as Al-Aan.
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Culture
The palace and the souq around it are the heart of old Najran, where locals shop for honey, dates, spices and crafts.
History
The Historical Palace of the Emirate (Qasr al-Imarah) was built in the 1940s in the old part of Najran, as the seat of government for the region after it joined the Saudi state. It is built of mud brick in the local style, with high walls, corner towers, a well and dozens of rooms around courtyards.
The palace was used as the governor's offices for decades and has since been restored as a heritage site.
Tour plans
Old Najran
Half dayStep 1: Emirate Palace
Explore the towers and courtyards.
Step 2: Old souq
Shop for honey, dates and silver crafts.
Step 3: Lunch
Haneeth or mandi nearby.
Travel information
Best time to visit
October to March, in the morning or late afternoon.
How to get there
- From central Najran: in the old centre near the traditional souq; a short taxi or car ride.
Getting around
- On foot: explore the palace in about an hour, then walk to the nearby souq.
Travel tips
- Travel advice: Najran is close to the border with Yemen. Before you go, check your own government's current travel advice for the area.
- Dress: modest clothing is expected in public — shoulders and knees covered for everyone; loose, light fabrics are the most comfortable. Women do not need to cover their hair as visitors, but a scarf is useful for religious sites.
- Prayer times: many shops and some sites close briefly for each of the five daily prayers; plan around them.
- Friday: the weekly holy day. Mornings are quiet and many places open only after the midday prayer.
- Opening times: check locally before you go.