Al Khobar

Al Khobar is the Eastern Province's most cosmopolitan city and the social hub for the region's massive expat population. The waterfront corniche stretching for kilometers along the Arabian Gulf is the city's living room — families stroll, friends meet at cafes, and the sunset views across to Bahrain (connected by the 25km King Fahd Causeway) define the evening ritual.

The Al Khobar Corniche is the primary recreational space — a well-maintained waterfront promenade with playgrounds, exercise stations, and landscaped gardens stretching several kilometers. Families gather here every evening after sunset when the heat subsides, and it is particularly lively on weekends (Friday-Saturday in Saudi Arabia).

Driving is the primary mode of transport — public transit is limited in the Eastern Province. The roads are excellent, wide multi-lane highways connecting Al Khobar, Dhahran, and Dammam in a triangular metropolitan area. Uber and Careem (now part of Uber) are widely available and relatively affordable, making car-free living possible if not entirely convenient.

Daily routines in Al Khobar revolve around the heat cycle. Mornings are for errands and outdoor activities before temperatures climb. Midday to late afternoon is spent indoors — at work, at home, or in air-conditioned malls. Evening brings the city to life: families flood the corniche, restaurants fill up, and the shopping centers buzz until late. Weekend shopping trips to Bahrain are a regular feature for many families.

Al Khobar has a desert climate moderated slightly by the Arabian Gulf. Summer temperatures from June through September regularly exceed 45C with high humidity from the Gulf, creating a challenging combination that pushes the heat index above 50C. Outdoor activity during midday summer months is genuinely dangerous and should be avoided.