There are a total of 136 governates that form the 13 emirates in Saudi. Al Ahsa is the largest governate in the Eastern Province. Its population is a little more than a million people and it has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Al Ahsa’s name comes from the name of its 6,000-year-old oasis, which is the world’s largest self-contained oasis according to Guinness World Records. Its name is fitting—in Arabic “Ahsa” means “the sound of water flowing underground.” Al Ahsa is world-renowned for its date palms—it has more than 2.5 million date trees. Al Ahsa also boasts the world’s largest oil fields.

There is much to see and do here, but we will begin with historical entities. As it was a stop for caravans along ancient trade routes and pilgrims heading for Mecca, it is a historical treasure trove. UNESCO has put Al Ahsa on its list of world heritage sites, and it is deserving of such an honor. The 1,400-year-old Jawatha Mosque, believed to be the oldest mosque in eastern Arabia, is well worth a visit. While much of the original building has been worn down and covered in sand over the centuries, the mosque has been recently restored and has maintained the ancient clay mosque’s basic foundations.

Ibrahim Palace, otherwise known as the Dome Palace, is located in the center of the city of Hofuf (also known as Al Ahsa). It is an architectural masterpiece of religious and military features that has been painstakingly restored. Constructed in 1571, it has been a castle, prison, and military barracks.  The palace is a square covering 16,500 sq. meters (54,134 feet), with a long fence and towers in its corners. Its domed Al-Qubba Mosque is still in use today.

Since 1983 the Al Ahsa Archaeological and Heritage Museum has housed more than 1,400 artifacts, manuscripts, coins, photographs, and more from Al Ahsa’s long history. Each room is dedicated to different eras from the Stone Age on—the museum’s oldest objects are from the Neolithic period. There are maps of trade routes, examples of ancient languages, and an overview of Islamic writing and calligraphy. The courtyard displays early life in the Eastern Province, along with flora and fauna from the desert.

Known to date back to 1822, the Souq Al Qaisariya is one of Saudi’s oldest open-air markets and certainly a lively one. It contains more than 422 shops, covering more than 7,000 square meters (22,966 square feet), with a maze of alleyways to explore. It sells everything from handicrafts to spices to perfume—you can even find handmade leather sandals, vintage gramophones, and antique daggers.

Exceptional natural sites also abound in Al Ahsa. The network of caves at Al Qarah Jabal (Mountain) is a fascinating place to explore. The caves were caused by a weathering of the mountain over time, and the result is extraordinary rock formations, narrow canyons, and tall passageways. Due to the cavernous environment, the temperature is comfortable year-round. Recent renovations, including lighting and paving, have led to improved accessibility. Al Qarah is simply not to be missed.

Asfar Lake, also known as Yellow Lake, measures 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) and is enveloped by sand dunes and ferns. There are no roads to the lake—you have to get there via a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Once there, you will find all manner of wildlife—it is a prime place for bird-watching. You can also go kayaking on its calm waters.

Al-Uqair Beach is an excellent place to experience many different sea activities. You can try jet skiing or surfing, along with the more typical pursuits of sailing and fishing. On shore, there are sometimes dune cruising and car races, and you may even find the opportunity to ride a camel or a horse.

All of these excursions will probably have you working up an appetite, and there are plenty of restaurants to meet your needs. As Al Ahsa is not far from the Arabian Gulf, seafood is on the menu. Alkeet Restaurant specializes in seafood. There are a variety of shrimp dishes that are accompanied by tostones (fried plantains), as well as fish that are flown in daily, and lobsters made with Thermidor sauce. Noobas Kushari specializes in Egyptian food; kushari is Egypt’s national dish. It is made with pasta, rice, and lentils, and is topped with a tomato sauce and garnished with chick peas and fried onions. The restaurant also serves meat, chicken, and shrimp, along with falafel—a Middle East favorite. Bharat Indian Kitchen is the place for Indian food. You can find biryani and kebabs here, along with vegetarian and vegan options.

Central Holidays can assist you in finding travel packages that include Al Ahsa, and has a professional staff who can help ensure that your travel experience is everything you desire.