5 Reasons Everyone Needs To Experience Al Ahsa At Least Once
There’s a reason Al Ahsa in Saudi’s Eastern Province has made it onto the revered UNESCO World Heritage List. For starters, this lush green oasis has around 2.5 million date palms and is technically the largest oasis in the world! If that wasn’t reason enough to check out this gem of the east, Al Ahsa is home to tons of historic sites and natural wonders.
Here are 5 reasons everyone needs to experience Al Ahsa at least once:
5. The Farms
With 2.5 million date palms, you can’t visit Al Ahsa without stopping in at a date farm for a tour and to sample some of the fruits. Al Ahsa has two local types it’s famed for the Al Khalasah and Barhi dates. The oasis is also excellent for growing rice, so you can even visit a rice farm and see the cool process and all the work that goes into making this nutritious staple.
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4. Ibrahim Palace
This historic white fortress and palace was built during the time of the first Saudi state and is simply stunning in design. It once was used as an army base and has barracks and a mosque which is still in use. All of these are open for visitors along with a little museum taking you back in history.
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3. Jawatha Mosque
This historic mosque is believed to date back all the way to the 7th century and is said to be the first mosque ever built in the Eastern Province. Given its age, most of the original structure is in ruins, with only a few arches remaining, but it has been reinforced and rebuilt so that prayers can still continue on today.
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2. Qaisariya Souq
Step into this historic Souq and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back to an older time. It’s believed to be nearly 200 years old and will give you a serious old school feel with its narrow lanes and cool architecture. Inside you can enjoy haggling for spices, abayas, traditional handicrafts and more. If you look closely, you might even find an antique or two! Definitely a must-see.
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1. Al Qarah Mountain Caves
At 75 meters above sea level, the Al Qarah Mountain caves are hard to miss. The mountain can be climbed with care of a guide and offers a spectacular view of the oasis. But for those who’d rather not, the caves themselves are something to be experienced. The caves are believed to have been formed over thousands of years of rain and rivers. The limestone caves have some unique shapes both inside and outside. The caves inside are super narrow and high, offering a cool escape from the heat. The pathways are well lit thanks to preservation and tourism efforts and after you explore you can enter the “Land of Civilization” museum to learn all about Al Ahsa’s magnificent history and importance.
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