Dammam - Saudi Arabia
Discover Dammam located in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province
I've been back and forth to Dammam in Saudi Arabia a few times already with my last trip coming in June.
I always stay in the Sheraton Hotel which is in the city centre. It's a great spot close to shopping malls and the beach. The hotel itself has a couple of restaurants, cafe, a spa, pool and if you are a Marriott Member there is the members lounge on the top floor. More on Marriott Membership and other tips here.
Dammam is the third largest city in Saudi Arabia.
Nestled along the tranquil shoreline of the Arabian Gulf, Dammam is an underrated travel destination.
As the capital of the Eastern Province, Dammam is a vibrant city blending tradition with modern lifestyle, it offers a unique gateway into authentic Saudi culture, urban life and scenic coastal views.
Compared to other cities like Riyadh and Jeddah which often take more of a prominent spotlight, Dammam offers a slower pace, it's cultural and natural attractions are easily accessible, it's perfect for travelers and tourists to start to explore Saudi Arabia away from the usual routes.
The Bahrain crossing which is an impressive bridge linking Saudi and Bahrain with border control in the very middle, is about an hour and a half drive (traffic dependant) If going just make sure your Visa covers Bahrain and Saudi reentry!
Driving in Saudi is let's say a little aggressive, I made use of the abundant supply of Ubers available for any trips outside and within Dammam. On a quick side note, if you are going to watch any of the football the Dammam team is Al-Ettifaq, ticket pricing is fairly reasonable and the one I bought was about £10
With a plethora of restaurants and cafes along most streets there's something to suit everyone's tastes, from authentic Saudi dishes to Greek or even KFC.
Most of Dammam comes to life in the evening when the weather cools down, during the Summer temperatures can reach 45 degrees and upwards, restaurants and shopping malls get busy after 7pm.
The surrounding areas of Dammam have had major construction work carried out and the likes of Al Kohbar which has amazing walks along the beach fronts which make great sunset photo's, it lights up nicely after sunset too.
Or equally a short drive to Half Moon Bay popular for its shallow waters and sandy beaches locals and tourists tend to spend their weekends swimming, jet-skiing or just sunbathing.
A walk around Dammam beach front or Corniche offers great views and photo opportunities of the Gulf. the Corniche took me about 4 hours to walk round, but I did make the rookie mistake of going mid-morning.....it got very hot halfway round!
The Dammam Corniche is great for bike riding and walking (at the right time of day when the sun isn't at its strongest). There are plenty of picnic seating areas and play areas for families to enjoy. Along with sculptures and paintings and spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf.
Although probably not on many peoples list of places, if you do get chance or just fancy something a little of the usual grid. Dammam is worth a weekend visit. Flight from London fly into Doha then on to Dammam. Doha Airport is huge and offers pretty much everything a traveller needs whilst waiting for the connecting flight.
Dammam Tips
Dammam has a range of accommodation dotted around the city from luxury hotels with sea views to budget friendly stays.
Staying near the Corniche and central areas are convenient as there will be shopping malls and restaurants nearby. Follow the link below for hotel pricing on Expedia.
Best time to visit Dammam is between November and March, the weather is a little cooler during this period. The summer months can be extremely hot and often exceed 45 degrees.
Make sure to dress modestly, respecting local customs by wearing conservative clothing, I worn shorts and t-shirt most days when walking around and never had any problems.
Try the local cuisine, fresh seafood, grilled meats, Arabic tea and Arabic coffee with dates
Getting around is pretty easy, walking is an option, but generally the Uber app was my go to, as the longest wait was 3-5mins.
Final Thoughts
Although more of an industrial city, Dammam offers a city full of culture and coastal charm
Whether you're looking for adventure, relaxation or a look into authentic Saudi life, this Eastern Province spot has something for solo, couple and family travellers.
If you are heading out to the Middle East give this unique destination a visit.
For hotel options fill in the hotels search below and see whats available.
Don't forget to drop a comment and let me know if you have been or planning on going.
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Happy travels
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