Qassim sits in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s Najd plateau, long known for caravan traders, skilled farmers, and some of the world’s finest dates. Today the region blends new highways and gleaming mosques with mud-brick quarters and bustling morning markets. You’re here for souqs alive with bargaining, stories of poets and camels, and the smell of cardamom coffee everywhere you go.

Center your week in Buraidah and Unaizah—two cities just 30–40 minutes apart that together capture Qassim’s culture. Buraidah hosts the legendary date and camel markets, family parks, and insightful museums. Unaizah charms with restored heritage houses, a traditional marketplace, and sandy ghada forests perfect for a picnic under the trees.

Practical notes: Fly into Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz International Airport (ELQ) or take the SAR train from Riyadh to Qassim. Dress modestly, expect short pauses around prayer times, and plan for cool desert nights in winter and intense heat in summer; October–April is ideal. Bring an appetite for kabsa, mandi, jareesh, and dates served with Saudi qahwa.

Buraidah

Buraidah (also spelled Buraydah) is Qassim’s lively capital and the hub of the region’s historic date trade. Early mornings bring auctions, camel caravans, and the aroma of fresh samboosa. Between museums and parks, you’ll find wide boulevards, specialty coffee, and big-plate Najdi dinners perfect for sharing.

Where to stay: Browse stays near King Abdulaziz Road and Al Nakheel areas on Hotels.com or find family villas and chalets on VRBO. Look for business-class hotels near the museum district and furnished-apartment brands for kitchens and extra space.

Getting in and around: Fly to ELQ via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. From Riyadh, the SAR train to Qassim runs about 1 h 45 m–2 h 30 m; expect roughly 95–160 SAR in economy—check times using Trip.com Trains. Within Qassim, renting a car is easiest; taxis/Careem also work well for short hops.

Day 1: Arrival in Buraidah

Morning: Travel day. If you’re already in Riyadh, consider the SAR morning train; if flying, mid-day arrivals to ELQ are common.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs at the Water Tower Park, a local landmark with shaded paths and skyline views. Sip your first Saudi qahwa with dates at Saadeddin Pastry (classic Saudi confectioner) or a latte at Dr. Cafe Coffee.

Evening: Welcome dinner with Najdi staples at Al Romansiah (popular for mandi, kabsa, and madghout; generous platters, family seating). If you prefer grilled chicken and fresh flatbread, Al Tazaj is an easy local favorite. Night stroll along King Abdullah National Park’s musical fountain when it’s cooler.

Day 2: Dates, Camels, and Museums

Morning: Go early to the Buraidah Camel Market—traders start just after sunrise, and the spectacle of auctions and caravans is unforgettable. Continue to the Buraidah Dates Market to sample sukkary and khalas varieties; enjoy tastings with cardamom coffee and pick up gift boxes.

Afternoon: Explore the Buraidah Museum for regional history from caravans to modern agriculture. Nearby, the privately curated Al Oqilat Museum honors the Oqilat—merchant caravaneers who connected Najd to the Levant and beyond.

Evening: Dinner at a Pakistani-Indian grill such as Bharat or a neighborhood tandoori spot for smoky kebabs and naan; South Asian kitchens are plentiful here. Cap the night with a drive-thru Arabic coffee at Barn’s, a Saudi-born chain that’s everywhere in Qassim.

Day 3: Uyun AlJiwa Day Trip—Poets and Mud Villages

Morning: Drive 35–45 minutes to Uyun AlJiwa, land of the pre-Islamic poet-warrior Antarah ibn Shaddad. Walk the lanes of a restored mud-brick village and seek out local lore tied to Antarah and Abla—guides often share verses and legends.

Afternoon: Visit a small heritage house or seasonal farm stand for fresh dates and laban. Picnic among low dunes and acacia with chicken mandi you’ve picked up en route; bring a mat and enjoy the desert quiet.

Evening: Return to Buraidah. Try Shawarmer for modern Saudi-style wraps (pomegranate molasses and tahini sauces are a hit), or sit down at a “masoob and mutabbaq” stall for comfort-food crepes and banana-wheat pudding. Dessert: kunafa with pistachio at a Syrian sweets shop.

Day 4: Faith, Parks, and Local Flavors

Morning: Visit Al Rajhi Grand Mosque—its soaring prayer hall and serene courtyards reflect contemporary Najdi design; dress modestly and time your stop outside prayer services. Coffee at Starbucks or a specialty bar; many open late morning.

Afternoon: Family time at King Abdullah National Park or Al Nakheel Park; rent e-scooters for paths lined with palms. If you’re in town November–March, check for weekend equestrian events at local tracks—spectator-friendly and rooted in Najdi tradition.

Evening: Feast at a traditional mandi house—look for lamb haneeth slow-roasted in an underground pit, rice perfumed with cloves and cardamom, and tangy salata hara. Nightcap tea with mint at a casual café; Saudis linger late when the air cools.

Unaizah

Unaizah rewards unhurried travelers with a beautifully restored heritage core, farms that welcome visitors, and a famed seasonal festival. The city’s pride shows in tidy souqs, old merchant houses, and quiet sandy forests where families picnic as the sun goes low.

Where to stay: Search central Unaizah and Al-Musawkaf Market area on Hotels.com for furnished apartments and boutique-style stays, or browse family villas with yards and private pools on VRBO. Properties near Ghada Park are handy for desert evenings.

Getting there from Buraidah: Drive or taxi 35–40 minutes (30–45 SAR by rideshare; 70–120 SAR by taxi, depending on time). With a rental car, you can detour via small farms and roadside date stands.

Day 5: Transfer and Heritage Unaizah

Morning: Check out from Buraidah and drive to Unaizah; aim to arrive by late morning. Coffee and a light breakfast at Barn’s or a local bakery—try fresh cheese sambousek and honey-drenched luqaimat.

Afternoon: Explore Al-Musawkaf Market, a rebuilt heritage souq with arcades, date stalls, spice shops, and handicrafts. Continue to Al Bassam Heritage House (Mathn House), where restored rooms, carved doors, and rooftop views tell stories of merchant families.

Evening: Dinner at Al Romansiah’s Unaizah branch or a neighborhood Saudi eatery for jareesh (cracked wheat stew) and marqooq (thin bread stew). For dessert, stop at Saadeddin Pastry for qatayef or saffron cakes.

Day 6: Ghada Park, Farms, and Night Markets

Morning: Head to Ghada Park, a sandy woodland of hardy ghada trees—bring a mat for a simple picnic breakfast with laban, dates, and cheese. Short walks here are lovely in winter; kids love climbing the low dunes.

Afternoon: Visit a local date farm (many welcome visitors seasonally; ask at your stay). Learn the difference between sukkary soft and ajwa, and try date molasses over yogurt. Lunch back in town on mezze and grills at a Levantine café—think hummus, fattoush, and charcoal chicken.

Evening: If your visit overlaps with Unaizah Season or a weekend night market, browse handicrafts and food stalls; otherwise, enjoy a casual shawarma and fruit juices on a lively boulevard. Coffee options range from Dr. Cafe to specialty bars pouring V60s and iced Spanish lattes.

Day 7: Al Rass Excursion and Departure

Morning: Day trip 60–75 minutes southwest to Al Rass to see Al-Shanannah Historical Tower, a slender mud-brick watchtower that guarded old trade routes. Walk the adjacent ruins and snap wide-angle desert shots.

Afternoon: Drive back toward ELQ for your flight or to the Qassim SAR station if you’re training to Riyadh. For lunch, grab grilled chicken with rice or a final plate of kabsa; stock up on boxed dates for gifts.

Evening: Fly out via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com; if you’re heading to Riyadh by rail, check departures using Trip.com Trains. Keep 90 minutes for airport formalities and rental car return.

Food and coffee shortlist (save for the week):

• Al Romansiah: Saudi mandi, kabsa, madghout; family seating, big platters ideal for groups.
• Al Tazaj: Charcoal-grilled chicken with Arabic bread, garlic sauce, and fresh salads.
• Shawarmer: Modern wraps with pomegranate molasses, tahini, and pickled turnips.
• Saadeddin Pastry: Classic Saudi cakes, date sweets, and Arabic coffee to go.
• Barn’s and Dr. Cafe Coffee: Reliable Saudi-born and local chains for espresso, Saudi qahwa, and iced drinks.

Getting between cities and costs (estimates): Buraidah ↔ Unaizah is 30–40 minutes by car. Rideshare: 30–45 SAR; taxi: 70–120 SAR. Rental car: 150–220 SAR/day plus fuel—highly recommended for day trips and flexibility.

Hotels by city: Buraidah on Hotels.com | Buraidah on VRBO | Unaizah on Hotels.com | Unaizah on VRBO

Flights and trains: Trip.com Flights | Kiwi.com (flights) | Trip.com Trains

One week in Qassim means unhurried mornings, generous plates, and gentle evenings under palm trees. Between Buraidah’s big markets and Unaizah’s heritage lanes, you’ll taste the region’s past and present in every cup of coffee and every date you share.