Excursion Dammam cultural experience tour at Dammam

Indulge your senses with the history, culture, and traditions of Saudi Arabia during this immersive, half-day sightseeing excursion with lunch.

Dammam, Dhahran, Ithra Cultural Centre, Museum, Library, Cinema, Theatre, Knowledge Tower

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to Dhahran, and a visit to the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture (Ithra Cultural Centre). A corporate responsibility initiative focusing on culture, learning, and cross-cultural activities, Ithra has been listed in Time magazine as one of the 'World's Top 100 Places to Visit'. Upon arrival, take a guided tour of this expansive, uniquely-designed, and environmentally-conscious facility, which incorporates a museum, library, cinema, theatre, and exhibition halls. The lower levels focus on the history and evolution of the Kingdom, whilst the upper levels comprise the 'Knowledge Tower', and include teaching rooms designed to educate and equip citizens for the future.

Heritage Village, Four Museums, Heritage Pieces, Village Building, Ancient Heritage Castle Designs

Leaving Ithra, re-board your coach and head to the Heritage Village. Designed in the Gulf architectural style, the village expresses the deep-rooted past and civilisation of the Eastern Province through its museums and architectural heritage. Upon arrival, take a guided tour of the Heritage Village. Its four museums display exhibits and models expressing the life of the desert, sea, countryside, and farms, along with their historical and geographical diversity, and include more than 8,000 heritage artefacts. The village building is comprised of three floors, each with a distinctive architectural design that simulates the ancient heritage castles.

Al-Hawy Courtyard, Heritage Rooms, Auto Museum, Folk Market, Lunch, Shopping, Sea Views

On the ground floor is the Al-Hawy Courtyard, along with 100 heritage rooms, a classic automobile museum, and the largest closed restaurant in the world. The second floor consists of a folk market, including about 30 shoppes selling incense, oud, heritage textiles, old-fashioned ornaments, handicrafts, and utensils dating back to the 1970s and 1980s. In the middle of the market is an old-fashioned folk cafe overlooking the sea. An Arabian light lunch and free time for shopping are included during your visit. At the conclusion of your tour, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Dammam, Dhahran, Ithra Cultural Centre, Knowledge Tower, Heritage Village, Museums, Al-Hawy Courtyard, Heritage Rooms, Auto Museum, Folk Market, Lunch, Shopping

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking for approximately 1.86 miles-2.5 miles (about 3 to 4 kilometres), at times over uneven surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and steps at the sites visited; lifts are available. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, insect repellent, bottled water, a sweater or light jacket, and Saudi Arabian Riyals or credit cards for purchases from the ship. Please dress conservatively when going ashore; ladies always need to wear abaya, which are provided, and keep their knees covered. Proper attire is required to enter holy or religious sites; shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted. As a rule, women should never wear anything remotely revealing (miniskirts, shorts, capris, beachwear, and sleeveless or low-cut tops), and men should always wear shirts and trousers in public. Guests must be at least 10 years old to participate on this tour; minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years old. Infrastructure in Dammam may be basic, and local conditions may be challenging; coaches, guides, hotels, restaurants, equipment, and services are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other ports. Local authorities might check again your passport, as well as the border number you received at the entrance in the country during the excursion; this might require some waiting time. All guests on excursion must carry their Muqueem Certificate, which they used to enter in Saudi Arabia. In addition, a Local Authorities Health questionnaire will be submitted upon arrival, and is required for all guests over two years old. This tour does not include inside visits to the mosques. This tour is available during mornings only. The tour sequence may vary.