Once a caravan crossroads linking the Hejaz and the Levant, the Tabuk Region is where desert canyons meet the Red Sea. You’ll walk date-palm oases in Wadi Al Disah, crest wind‑cut mountain passes near Jabal Al‑Lawz, and coast along beaches shaded by palms. This is northwestern Saudi Arabia at its most cinematic.

Tabuk city anchors the region with an Ottoman-era castle and a Hejaz Railway station that recalls early 20th‑century history. To the west, the shoreline swings from the Gulf of Aqaba around to the open Red Sea—past shipwrecks, coral gardens, and island-dotted shallows by Umluj. Much of it still feels delightfully undiscovered.

Practical notes: October–April is prime season with mild days; summers are hot. Dress modestly (shoulders/knees covered), carry your ID for checkpoints near the Jordan border, and consider a 4x4 for canyons and gravel tracks. Distances are long, fuel is inexpensive, and roadside facilities can be sparse—so start early, hydrate, and download maps offline.

Tabuk (City)

Tabuk is your launchpad to the region’s big landscapes. Explore the restored Tabuk Castle and the old Hejaz Railway Station, then graze souqs and simple grill houses along Prince Fahd bin Sultan Road. Evenings are for tea, cardamom-scented coffee, and sticky dates.

• Top sights: Tabuk Castle, Hejaz Railway Station & small museum, Al Tawba Mosque, Prince Fahd bin Sultan Park, old souq lanes.
• Don’t miss: A day trip to Wadi Al Disah—a palm oasis cleft by red sandstone walls—plus a coastal loop to the Haql shipwreck and Aqaba-view lookouts if you have time.
• Eat & drink: Start with Barn’s Coffee (Saudi chain; reliable espresso and qahwa), grab a breakfast egg wrap at Kudu, sit down for slow‑cooked lamb and rice at Al Romansiah (mandi/madhbi), and try crispy chicken at Albaik—a local obsession.

Where to stay (Tabuk): Browse family-friendly apartments and private villas on VRBO Tabuk or central hotels via Hotels.com Tabuk. Look for stays near King Abdulaziz Rd or Prince Fahd bin Sultan Rd for easy dining access.

How to get there: Fly into Tabuk (TUU) from Riyadh or Jeddah (about 1.5–2 hours; typical one‑way $70–150). Compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. On the ground, a 4x4 is helpful for canyons; private drivers typically cost SAR 700–900/day.

Umluj (Coast)

Umluj is all about the water: shallow lagoons in shades of mint and turquoise, powder-soft beaches, and a constellation of uninhabited islands where turtles glide over coral heads. Locals call it the “Saudi Maldives.”

• Top experiences: Half‑day boat trip to the offshore islands for snorkeling and picnics; relaxed afternoons on Al‑Duqm Beach and the palm‑lined Ras Al Shaaban shoreline; golden‑hour walks along the corniche.
• Eat & drink: Visit the Umluj Fish Market early, choose your catch, and have it grilled at nearby seafood stalls; for coffee, look for local specialty cafés along the corniche, plus ubiquitous Barn’s Coffee for a reliable iced Spanish latte.

Where to stay (Umluj): Seafront villas and family apartments are common—browse VRBO Umluj or hotels near the corniche on Hotels.com Umluj. If options seem limited, expand your search to nearby Al Wajh.

Getting there from Tabuk: Drive about 350 km / 3.5–4 hours, mostly good highways; a private transfer typically runs SAR 800–1,200 per car. There are occasional domestic flights to nearby Al Wajh (EJH) from Jeddah—check Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com.

Day 1 – Arrive in Tabuk, old town stroll, and Saudi comfort food

Afternoon: Land at Tabuk (TUU) and check into your hotel or apartment near the city center via Hotels.com Tabuk or VRBO Tabuk. Stretch your legs at Tabuk Castle and the small Hejaz Railway precinct to set the historical scene.

Evening: Dinner at Al Romansiah for mandi—tender lamb or chicken atop saffron rice with smoky chili sauce. Craving a classic? Queue for Albaik; the garlic sauce is famous. Nightcap with Arabic coffee and dates at a local café along Prince Fahd bin Sultan Rd.

Day 2 – Wadi Al Disah canyon day (full-day 4x4 and oasis walk)

Depart Tabuk around 7:00 a.m. for Wadi Al Disah (approx. 250 km; 3–3.5 hours). The last stretch winds into an oasis wrapped by 200‑meter sandstone walls and rust‑red towers. Hire a local 4x4 at the entrance or arrange one in advance (SAR 500–1,000 per vehicle) to splash shallow fords, stop under date palms, and walk sandy tracks between reed beds.

Pack a picnic (or grab flatbreads and grilled chicken in the village) and plenty of water. Good footwear is essential; mobile signal is patchy. Stay for sunset when the canyon glows apricot, then return to Tabuk by 8–9 p.m. Dinner back in town—try a shawarma wrap from Shawarmer or mixed grills at a casual Turkish spot.

Day 3 – Mountains and markets: Jabal Al‑Lawz loop

Morning: Drive northwest toward Jabal Al‑Lawz (allow 2–2.5 hours). The road climbs through high desert plateaus with sweeping views. In winter, the peaks can dust with snow; in shoulder seasons, you’ll find cool air and wild rock gardens. Stop at viewpoints and short trails; keep an eye for ibex.

Afternoon: Picnic lunch in the highlands, then wind back toward Tabuk. Detour to a date farm shop for fresh ajwa and sukkari dates. If you prefer an easy city afternoon, visit Prince Fahd bin Sultan Park for lawns and fountains.

Evening: Wander the old souq lanes for spices and souvenirs. Dinner idea: Yemeni fahsa and freshly baked mulawah bread at a local mandi house; finish with kunafa at a dessert café.

Day 4 – Tabuk to Umluj via Duba: Forts, fish, and the corniche

Morning: Check out and depart Tabuk for Duba (approx. 2.5–3 hours). Walk the small Old Town, peek at the King Abdulaziz Fort by the harbor, and watch fishing boats unload along the corniche.

Afternoon: Lunch at casual seafood stalls near the fish market—opt for charcoal‑grilled hamour with lemon and tahini, plus shrimp sayadiyah rice. Continue south to Umluj (about 1.5 hours), check in via VRBO Umluj or Hotels.com Umluj.

Evening: Sunset walk along the Umluj corniche. Light dinner: lentil soup and mezze at a simple family restaurant, or grilled chicken and rice takeaway if you prefer a quiet night on the terrace.

Day 5 – Umluj islands boat trip: snorkel, sandbars, and turtles

Morning: Head to the marina for a shared boat (typically SAR 300–400 per person; 4–5 hours). Skim over gin‑clear shallows, drop anchor by coral patches, and snorkel with parrotfish and the occasional sea turtle. Many captains provide shade, water, and snacks—confirm gear and safety kit.

Afternoon: Return for a late seafood lunch—think grilled safi and fried calamari near the fish market. Laze at Al‑Duqm Beach with its soft entry and shallow turquoise water; bring reef‑safe sunscreen and a wide‑brim hat.

Evening: Coffee at a local specialty café on the corniche; try a saffron latte or Saudi qahwa with dates. For dinner, look for mixed grills or a family mandi restaurant in town.

Day 6 – Optional day trip to AlUla (Hegra, Maraya, and desert art)

Full day (long but rewarding): If you’re up for a big day, drive ~4 hours (each way) from Umluj to AlUla to see Nabataean tombs at Hegra (Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO site) and the mirror‑clad Maraya Concert Hall. For a culturally rich overview with a local, consider:

• AlUla Cultural Experience — Explore Hegra, Maraya, and Elephant Rock with a guide born in AlUla; great for history, hidden stories, and photography stops.

  

If you’d rather stay coastal, swap in a relaxed Umluj day: rent a beach cabana, book another short boat outing to different reefs, or explore the sandy tracks north of town (check tides; 4x4 recommended).

Day 7 – Easy morning by the sea, then depart

Morning: Early beach walk and a last swim. Coffee and a simple breakfast—foul and fresh bread, or eggs and laban.

Afternoon: Drive back to Tabuk (3.5–4 hours) for your flight, or continue south to Al Wajh if you found a convenient departure. Compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. Aim to reach the airport 2 hours before departure; note that some shops close during prayer times.

Insider tips and logistics

• Best season: October–April for hiking and boat trips; winter nights can be cold in the highlands.
• Driving: Highways are good; expect speed cameras. Carry cash for small eateries, plenty of water, and a basic first‑aid kit.
• Permits/checkpoints: Border‑adjacent areas near Haql and Ras Al‑Sheikh Hameed may have ID checks—carry your passport/iqama.
• Guides: Hiring local drivers for Wadi Al Disah and island boats adds safety and local knowledge—negotiate price and inclusions beforehand.

Across seven days, you’ll weave from desert canyons to reefs and palm-backed shores—experiencing the breadth of Tabuk Region’s landscapes and flavors. You’ll leave with sand in your shoes, salt on your skin, and a fresh map of northwestern Arabia etched in memory.