Hofuf

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Hofuf

Nestled within the lush Al-Ahsa Oasis in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, the city of Al Hofuf (also known as Al-Ahsa or Al-Hasa) sprawls over the palm-tree covered lands inhabited since prehistoric times. Al Hofuf is packed with historic sites, architectural monuments, and natural wonders, from forts and palaces to the whimsical Qara Mountain Caves and natural springs.

The City

Al-Ahsa Oasis containing the city of Hofuf boasts a staggering estimate of one and a half million date palm trees, which has turned Hofuf into a leading producer of dates worldwide. The abundance of this sweet fruit isn't its only pride - Al-Ahsa has been inhabited from time immemorial due to its relatively favorable climate and abundance of natural water springs (Al-Jawhariah, Al-Khodoud and Um Sabah, as well as the Al-Harah hot springs), and traces of ancient life can still be seen in the archaeological sites scattered throughout the oasis. Some of the area's main attractions include the mysterious mountain caves of Qara, Ibrahim Palace (the province's main administrative center and architectural monument), the historic Al-Qaisariyah Market (one of the finest souks in the Kingdom) and Al-Ahsa National Park. Hofuf is located only an hour-long train ride away from the coastal town of Uqair known for its pristine beach, which makes for a perfect weekend seaside getaway.

Do & See

The Al-Ahsa Oasis (Asia's largest) is an attraction of its own - the area has recently been nominated to officially become one of the Seven Wonders of the World due to its unique position at the crossroads of historic trade routes and natural diversity. A great way to get a bird's eye view of the oasis is to climb the Qara Mountain (do not miss the famous Qara Caves en route), from where the incredible sight of hundreds of thousands of date palms unfolds. In Hofuf, the must-dos are the authentic, well-preserved Qaisariah Souq, Ibrahim Palace and (for history buffs) the Al-Ahsa Museum for Antiquities and Heritage.

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