Qassim

Qassim, Saudi Arabia

The region of Al-Qassim is a land of palm trees and festivals, the fertile land making agriculture, particularly dates, the cornerstone of the province's economy and culture. The yearly date festival, which takes place in the autumn, is a sight to behold, but don't worry, for no matter what time of year you visit, you are sure to find a festival underway. Rich in nature, heritage and handicrafts, Al-Qassim makes for a wonderful visit, whether you are looking for delicious fruit in the countryside or culture and shopping in the cities.

Population:

1,370,727

Currency:

1 riyal (SAR) = 100 halalas

Emergency Numbers:

Police: 999
Fire: 998
Ambulance: 997

Opening Hours:

The working week is generally from Sun-Thu with some businesses open Saturday mornings. Government offices: 7:30am–2:30pm. Banks: 9:30am–4:30pm. Private businesses: 8am–12pm and 4–8pm.

Newspapers:

Saudi Gazette

The Region

Located right in the very heart of the Arabian peninsula, Al-Qassim is quite lush in comparison with the rest of the country, and as such it is the richest region and the agricultural centre of the Kingdom, known as the "alimental basket" of Saudi Arabia. It is home to more than eight million palm trees and is thus one of the world's largest producers of dates, as well as oranges, lemons and other fruit. Every autumn, thousands gather for the yearly date festival, where over 200,000 tons of dates are put on display and sold to eager and hungry visitors.

The region's capital and largest city is Buraidah, where approximately half of the province's 1.2 million inhabitants reside. It is the financial and cultural centre of the region, and holds most of the points of interest for tourists, including interesting museums, green parks and excellent markets. Unaizah is the second city in the region and also provides plenty of attractions and entertainment for visitors. The cities' surrounding rural areas are also worth visiting for a peek into the fascinating world of desert agriculture.

Do & See

The Al-Qassim region is quite unique in Saudi Arabia for green areas and agricultural prowess. The areas around Buraidah and Unaizah have some fascinating places to visit, from farms, orchards and palm tree plantations to the world's largest camel market. But the cities themselves also offer travelers plenty of museums, parks and interesting sights, as well as heaps of entertainment in the form of excellent eating and shopping.

Dining

Dining out is one of the favourite pastimes in the Qassim Province. The typical Saudi diet consists of a range of pulses such as rice, bulgur wheat, lentils, or chickpeas (hummus) served with grilled/barbecued meats such as lamb or chicken and the obligatory pita bread. But you will also find plenty of fine international restaurants in the region offering a great selection of food for all tastes.

Cafes

Escape the oppressive heat of the Qassim region by visiting one of the many modern and sleek cafes spread out throughout the city. They are a great way to relax and people watch while enjoying some hot coffee or tea, with high-quality beans and professional roasting and preparation. Most places also offer fantastic desserts and snacks.