Located just a stone’s throw from Saudi Arabia’s border with Kuwait, Ras Al Khafji is a bustling town overlooking the Persian Gulf. It was established following the 1960 discovery of the Al Khafji oil field and lies in what was once the Saudi Arabian-Kuwaiti neutral zone, an area left undefined following the 1922 Uqair Convention.
Things to do in Al Khafjī
In the heart of Ras Al Khafji is a lively commercial district where you’ll find everything from bookstores to home goods and fashion shops. On the western edge of the town centre is the attractive Community Garden, with children’s play equipment and benches where you can watch the world go by. Bordering the park are restaurants specialising in Yemeni cuisine.
Need to cool off? Head north to Khafji Beach, which offers safe swimming waters and a breezy promenade that’s ideal for strolling in the evening. There are several restaurants lining the Khafji Corniche where you can feast on authentic Saudi Arabian dishes, with Buffet Wave and the Ghazl Cafe among the most popular options.
Just across the border in Kuwait is the Sabah Al Ahmad Sea City, an impressive series of artificial islands that were built by excavating large areas of desert into canals. Named after the former Emir of Kuwait, Sabah Al Ahmad, it has been hailed for the environmentally sustainable construction techniques used in its design. In addition to housing up to 250,000 people, it features a yachting marina and retail complex.
Getting around Al Khafjī
Ras Al Khafji is just under three hours’ drive from Dammam and King Fahd International Airport while Riyadh is 5.5 hours away. Buses connect Ras Al Khafji to cities across Saudi Arabia’s north-east while taxes are the main means of getting around the town.