One of Saudi Arabia’s largest cities, Dammam overlooks Tarout Bay where the country connects with Bahrain. The Corniche promenade stretches along the southern coast of Damman, while the man-made Coral Island sits juxtaposed against the ancient red towers of Tarout Castle in the north.
Things to do in Dammam
Star the day by wandering along the tree-lined Corniche walkway that hugs the waterfront. It’s dotted with parks like the Khobar Sea Front where you can stop to picnic, as well as Al Marjan Island that extends into the sea.
If you need to cool off during the summer months, head to Splash Island that lies adjacent to Al Morjan and boasts plenty of pools and slides. For a larger-than-life photo op, be sure to have your picture taken in front of Dammam’s Flag Pole, which claims to be the tallest in Saudi Arabia.
The Corniche is also home to the Scitech museum, a state-of-the-art science centre where you can interact with and observe theories in action. It’s set across seven halls, with changing exhibitions throughout the year, as well as housing the Scitech Astronomic Observatory and Saudi Arabia’s only IMAX theatre.
Want to experience local Saudi culture? Have a meal at the Al-Karia Ash-Sha’abia museum and restaurant that is set within a recreated fort. Their chefs dish up authentic Arabian cuisine within a setting that features ancient weaponry and royal jewellery.
Getting around Dammam
King Fahd International Airport is the main entry point for visitors to Dammam and located around 20 minutes’ drive west of the city centre. There are train connections to Riyadh from the Dammam railway station, but taxis are the most convenient way of getting around the city.