bahrainthismonth.com | SEPTEMBER 2026 SAUDI IN BAHRAIN 17 Thee Ain Heritage Village Built on a white marble outcrop in Al Baha Province, Thee Ain’s centuries-old stone houses appear to rise directly from the mountainside. The settlement overlooks cultivated land below and is often known as the Marble Village because of the distinctive rock on which it stands. Its tightly packed buildings reflect the traditional architecture of Saudi Arabia’s mountainous south-west. From its elevated position, visitors can look across the surrounding valley, while the pale stone takes on a striking appearance as the light changes towards sunset. Jabal Qarah Rising from Al Ahsa’s eastern landscape, Jabal Qarah contains a network of narrow passages formed within its distinctive limestone rock. Erosion over thousands of years has created dramatic openings between towering walls, some of which lead into naturally cool interior spaces. The temperature inside remains noticeably more comfortable than outside during warmer periods, adding a practical advantage to the mountain’s geological appeal. Its proximity to Al Ahsa Oasis also makes the two easy to experience as part of the same journey. Harrat Khaybar North of Madinah, Harrat Khaybar stretches across thousands of square kilometres of ancient lava fields shaped by volcanic activity. Black basalt dominates much of the landscape, interrupted by volcanic cones and areas of much paler rock. The contrast is particularly striking when seen from above, where the scale of the volcanic field becomes apparent. Harrat Khaybar provides a fascinating glimpse into the geological forces that shaped western Arabia and remains one of the country’s most unusual landscapes to explore. Asir Highlands Rising to more than 3,000 metres, the Asir Highlands experience cooler temperatures and greater rainfall than much of Saudi Arabia, creating one of the Kingdom’s greenest landscapes. Forested slopes stretch across the region, with traditional villages appearing between winding mountain roads. Asir is also an important coffeegrowing area, where Khawlani coffee has been cultivated for generations. During the summer months, the altitude provides welcome relief from the intense temperatures experienced elsewhere in the Kingdom. Ushaiqer Heritage Village Around 200km north-west of Riyadh, the mudbrick settlement of Ushaiqer has stood for centuries along historic pilgrimage routes towards Makkah. It became an important stopping point for travellers crossing the Arabian Peninsula long before the development of Saudi Arabia’s modern cities. Restored homes are connected by narrow lanes, with traditional wooden doors and shaded courtyards retaining much of the settlement’s original character. Local museums provide further Dadan and Jabal Ikmah Just beyond Hegra in AlUla lie the remains of Dadan, once the capital of powerful ancient Arabian kingdoms, and Jabal Ikmah, where hundreds of inscriptions survive across the sandstone. Dadan served as the capital of the Dadanite and later Lihyanite kingdoms, which prospered along ancient trade routes through north-west Arabia. At nearby Jabal Ikmah, inscriptions written in several ancient languages and scripts record aspects of life in the region across centuries. Often compared to an open-air library, Jabal Ikmah adds another layer to AlUla’s history and provides compelling evidence that the region’s story extends even beyond its famous Nabataean tombs.
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