Najran
Saudi Arabia · 1290 m
Description
Najran is a wide palm oasis on the edge of the Empty Quarter, culturally closer to Yemen than to the Najd, and it builds in a way found nowhere else in Saudi Arabia, in square mudbrick towers of four and five storeys with white-painted crenellations. Al-Ukhdud, the ruined walled city at the centre of the valley, was a caravan station on the incense road and is remembered in the Quran. The rock art at Bir Hima north of town joined the UNESCO list in 2021. Visitor numbers are small and the Yemeni border crossing south of the city is closed.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: November – March
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Al-Ukhdud archaeological site
- Najran mudbrick tower houses
- Al-Aan Palace on its ridge
- Bir Hima rock art (UNESCO World Heritage)(Day trip)
- Najran Dam and its reservoir
- Najran heritage village and its museum
- Souq Al Janadriyah dagger and silver market
- Palm groves and the Najran date harvest (August - September)
- Empty Quarter dune edge east of the oasis(Day trip)
Getting there
- Airports:
- EAM