Rich in history and culture, Saudi Arabia is a vibrant global tourist destination. In addition to religious sites, the Kingdom boasts a diverse landscape, from towering mountains to golden coastlines. One of these hidden gems is the city of Umluj.

With its stunning natural beauty, Umluj is an unforgettable haven for travelers seeking adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion.

In this article, we will shed light on tourism in Umluj, the most popular landmarks there, and how to get there.

Get to know the city of Umluj

The city of Umluj in Saudi Arabia is referred to as the Maldives of Saudi Arabia (or the Maldives of the Arabs) for its soft white sands, clear turquoise waters, and stunning coral reefs.

Umluj is considered one of the oldest cities in Saudi Arabia. It was also known as the city of Al-Hawra or the white city and is the second largest commercial city after Mecca.

The city of Umluj is one of the targeted sites to be a global tourist destination and an investment area in the Kingdom. Umluj Beach is an archipelago consisting of 104 small islands with turquoise and fresh crystal waters and white sands. The beaches of Umluj City with its turquoise waters and golden sands on the Red Sea coast were able to rank 41st on the Beach Atlas Company’s list of the 100 best beaches in the world.

Umluj has many luxury hotels that you can stay in during your tour of the city.

Where is the city of Amlaj located?

Umluj Governorate is a coastal governorate in Tabuk Region, northwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is approximately 500 km away from Tabuk, the administrative capital. Umluj Governorate is bordered to the north by Al Wajh city and to the south by Yanbu city, which is 130 km away from Yanbu. Its western part overlooks the Red Sea.

Umluj is famous for agriculture, in addition to fishing, which is considered one of the main professions of the governorate’s residents. Its most famous agricultural products are dates, mangoes, tomatoes, and vegetables.

Weather in Umlaj

The climate of the city of Amlaj is hot in summer, moderate to warm in winter, with little rain in winter, and predominantly humid in summer.

Tourism in Umluj

Natural areas in Amlaj

The landscapes represent the main tourist attractions in Umluj and include:

• Palm trees dot the pristine beaches of Ras Al Shabaan and Duqm, fed by natural springs.
• The white sand on the coast, mango farms.
• Jabal Hassan Island is the largest island in the Tabuk region in the Red Sea.
• Diverse marine life, including green sea turtles, sea turtles, and dolphins, and it is a stop for migratory birds.

Tourist places and activities in Umluj

Umluj is a tourism development destination in the Kingdom, and within its borders lies part of the Red Sea Project; one of the major projects of Saudi Vision 2030, which is a project dedicated to making the region the world’s gateway to discovering the riches of the Red Sea.

1- Practicing water sports in Umluj

Amlaj is a diving destination both inside and outside the Kingdom, as Amlaj beaches are classified as very suitable places for diving and snorkeling, are rich in coral reefs, and are home to 1200 species of fish. There are many water activities that you can enjoy, such as:

• Sand biking, and horse riding on the beach.
• View the Red Sea coral reefs, estimated at around 300 species, by heading to one of the islands in the city of Umluj.
• Swimming on the water of the Umluj Sea is characterized by one of the most beautiful, calm, and clear beaches in the world.
• Rent boats, take cruises, and enjoy recreational activities such as diving and fishing.

2- In the interior parts of Amlaj lies Harrat Lunayir, a field of volcanic craters and cones, which is one of the tourist attractions in the region.

3- Visit the islands of the city of Umluj, which number approximately 100 islands.

4- Visit the port of Umluj and take a walk with the family on one of its beaches.

5- Visit the old Emirate Palace, which dates back to 1954 AD.

6- Touring the old town of Umluj, especially the old market.

7- Nature reserves 

Where you can visit many vast nature reserves that are a haven for wildlife and migratory birds. The most important reserves are Al-Tabaq Nature Reserve, Al-Khanaqah Wildlife Reserve, and Tabuk Wetlands.

8- Historical monuments in the city of Umluj

There are many antiquities and remains of ancient ruins, as several historical monuments have been discovered in Umluj: 

• There is a site called Al-Ghabaya to the north of the current city of Umluj, which may indicate that this area is Al-Hawra, and the word Hawra means white, which was mentioned in ancient Hajj journeys.
• Salih burial mounds and Bronze Age burial tombs.
• 131 rock-cut tombs.
• Many engravings and cave drawings of humans and animals.

Travel from Riyadh to Umluj

Umluj is approximately 1000 km away from Riyadh. You can fly from Riyadh to Umluj International Airport, or from Riyadh to Yanbu Airport.

The airport offers a variety of car rental options from leading companies in this field. Airport visitors have the opportunity to collect their cars upon arrival and return them upon departure, saving them time and effort and ensuring a smooth start and end to their trip.

If you are a fan of long road trips, you can travel from Riyadh to Umluj by car, which takes approximately 12 hours of driving.

Rent a car and discover the city of Umluj

Amlaj, the charming city and the favorite tourist destination for millions of visitors around the world offers many car rental options whether you are looking for a car to move around during your tourist trip or for business purposes. Car rental companies provide a wide range of diverse options at competitive prices and high-level service. To save time and effort provide more flexibility and independence in transportation and explore the city more widely and deeply.

Yahma Car Rental is distinguished by offering the cheapest car rental prices, and at the same time, it offers a large fleet of the most luxurious cars equipped with the latest safety and security technologies for all types of cars.

Yahma Car Rental offers many ways to book a car to save effort and time for its customers. You can book a car through Yahma Website, the application, or by visiting one of our branches spread across the Kingdom.