Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
Region: Al Madinah Al Munawwarah
Geographic Coordinates: 24.088300, 38.058200
Temperature Range: 15.0°C to 40.0°C (59°F to 104°F)
Climate: Hot and dry climate with very little rainfall throughout the year in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
Population: 250000
Language: Arabic
Yanbu is a city located on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, In the western province of Al Madinah. It has a rich history dating back to the 3rd century BC when it was known as Egra or Egrafia, An important trading center for frankincense and myrrh. Today, Yanbu is a modern industrial city with around 200, 000 people. It’s home to one of Saudi Arabia’s largest oil refineries and several petrochemical plants producing plastics, Fertilizers and other chemicals. Despite its industrial focus, Yanbu has plenty to offer visitors.
Its beautiful beaches along the Red Sea coast are perfect for swimming, Snorkeling or diving in crystal clear waters teeming with marine life. There are also several parks and gardens throughout the city where families can relax and enjoy outdoor activities. The old town is another popular attraction that dates back to the Ottoman era. Visitors can explore narrow streets lined with traditional mud-brick houses adorned with ornate wooden balconies and intricate stonework facades. The old town also features several historic mosques including Masjid al-Bahr (the Sea Mosque) which sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea.
Another must-see attraction in Yanbu is its massive desalination plant which provides drinking water for millions of people across Saudi Arabia every day. Visitors can take guided tours through this impressive facility to learn about how seawater is transformed into clean drinking water using advanced technology. In addition to its natural beauty and cultural heritage sites, Yanbu hosts several annual events that draw tourists from around Saudi Arabia such as its annual flower festival which showcases the city’s lush gardens and parks.
Yanbu also hosts a popular fishing tournament every year where participants can compete for cash prizes by catching the biggest fish in the Red Sea. Overall, Yanbu offers visitors a unique blend of industrial development, Natural beauty and cultural heritage making it an interesting and fascinating Saudi Arabian city to explore.
- Yanbu Corniche
- Yanbu Fish Market
- Al-Bahr Castle (Yanbu Castle)
- Yanbu Industrial City
- Sharm Yanbu (Yanbu Beach)
- Yanbu Lakes
- Al-Salama Beach Resort & Spa
- Ibn Khaldun Park
- Petrochemical Industry: Yanbu is home to one of the largest petrochemical complexes globally, producing chemicals like ethylene, propylene, benzene, xylene, and polyethylene.
- Refining Industry: There is a large oil refinery complex in Yanbu that processes crude oil into various products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and lubricants.
- Desalination Industry: Several desalination plants in Yanbu produce fresh water from seawater for domestic and industrial use.
- Steel Industry: Various steel mills in Yanbu manufacture different types of steel products such as rebar, wire rod, pipes, and tubes.
- Construction Industry: The construction industry has grown rapidly over recent years in Yanbu with new residential areas being developed along with commercial centers like shopping malls.
- Logistics & Transportation Services: Due to its strategic location on the Red Sea coast along with seaport facilities; numerous logistics companies provide transportation services for goods both domestically within Saudi Arabia or internationally through sea freight or air cargo services from nearby airports like Jeddah Airport.
- Tourism & Hospitality Sector – With beautiful beaches on the Red Sea coastlines; there has been an increase in tourism activities over recent years leading to new hotels being built along with other tourist attractions like Water Parks etc., giving rise to new business opportunities catering towards tourists visiting this region.
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Historical events:
- Yanbu was an important port city during the Islamic Golden Age, serving as a hub for trade and commerce between Arabia, Africa, and Asia.
- In the 16th century, Yanbu was sacked by Ottoman forces led by Piri Reis.
- During World War II, Yanbu served as a base for British and American forces.
- In 1975, the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu was established to oversee the development of industrial cities in the region.
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Notable people:
- Sheikh Abdullah Al-Johany: A prominent religious scholar who lived in Yanbu during the 18th century.
- Prince Abdulrahman bin Faisal: The governor of Makkah Province from 1958 to 1963 who oversaw significant development projects in Yanbu.
- Saleh Al-Mutlaq: A Saudi politician who served as Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council from 2013 to 2019. He is originally from Yanbu.
- Yanbu Fish Market
- Yanbu Corniche
- Al Fairouz Park
- Yanbu Industrial College Museum
- Yanbu Old Town
- Sharm Yanbu
- The Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu Museum
- Al Majd Club House and Beach Resort
- The Mosque of the Prophet Shuaib (Jethro)
- Yacht Club Marina
- Yanbu Flower Festival is an annual event held in March and April, showcasing the beautiful flowers and greenery of Yanbu.
- The Yanbu Summer Festival takes place during the summer months, featuring a variety of entertainment activities for families such as concerts, food stalls, and games.
- The Yanbu International Marathon is a popular event that attracts runners from around the world to compete in a marathon race held in November each year.
- Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha are two important Islamic festivals celebrated throughout Saudi Arabia with traditional food, prayer services, and family gatherings.
- National Day Celebrations take place on September 23rd each year when Saudi Arabia celebrates its National Day with parades, fireworks displays, cultural performances and more.
- During the holy month of Ramadan (which changes dates every year), Yanbu hosts a night market called Ramadan Nights Market where locals can buy traditional foods as well as clothes and gifts for loved ones.
- Janadriyah Cultural Festival is an annual festival that takes place outside Riyadh but is attended by people from all over Saudi Arabia including those living in Yanbu who travel to attend it. It showcases traditional Saudi Arabian culture through music performances dance shows as well as arts & crafts exhibitions.
- Al-Salam Festival is an annual cultural festival taking place on King Fahd Coastal City Waterfront Park which includes live music shows, dance performances, carnival rides, food stalls, etc.
- Al Baik: This is a famous fast-food chain in Saudi Arabia known for its crispy fried chicken.
- Mandi House: This restaurant serves traditional Yemeni cuisine, including the popular dish of lamb or chicken mandi.
- Al Khodariyah: This restaurant serves delicious seafood dishes such as grilled shrimp and fish.
- Al Tazaj: Another fast-food chain that specializes in grilled chicken and shawarma sandwiches.
- Al Nafourah Garden Restaurant: A Lebanese restaurant that offers a variety of Middle Eastern dishes such as hummus, falafel, and shish kebab.
- Kudu Restaurant: A popular local chain that serves burgers, sandwiches, and other fast food items.
- Shrimp House Restaurant: As the name suggests this restaurant specializes in shrimp dishes like grilled shrimp skewers or fried shrimp with garlic sauce.
- Marmarita Restaurant & Cafe Lounge: This cafe lounge offers international cuisine along with coffee and pastries to enjoy your evening with friends or family members.
- Yanbu Lakes is a popular park offering walking and cycling paths, picnic areas, and playgrounds.
- Al-Nakheel Beach Park is a beachfront park with swimming areas, BBQ pits, and volleyball courts.
- Al-Fanateer Beach is a beautiful sandy beach with crystal clear waters perfect for swimming and water sports.
- Yanbu Fish Market is a bustling market where visitors can buy fresh seafood caught by local fishermen.
- Yanbu Corniche is a scenic waterfront promenade with stunning views of the Red Sea and plenty of cafes and restaurants to enjoy.
- Ibn Sina National Park is an expansive natural area with hiking trails, wildlife viewing opportunities, and camping facilities.
- Yanbu Industrial City Museum is an educational museum that showcases the history of industry in Saudi Arabia.
- Snorkeling/diving at coral reefs or shipwrecks off the coast
- Fishing trips for deep sea fishing or from shorelines or jetties along the coast
- Jet skiing on the Red Sea
- Kayaking through mangroves at Salwa Island
- Sandboarding on nearby dunes
- 4×4 desert safaris to explore nearby deserts
- Golfing at Royal Commission Golf Course
Recreational activities in Yanbu include:
