Dammam

Dammam (الدمام,ad-Dammām) is the largest city in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, and the 3rd largest city in the kingdom after Riyadh and Jeddah.

Get in

Dammam is the main transport hub of the Dammam-Dhahran-Khobar cluster.

By plane

• 1 King Fahd International Airport (DMM  ^IATA). This vast airport is about 50 km from the city centre, literally in the middle of the desert — you'll see sand dunes, camels and Bedouin tents on the way from there. The world's largest airport by area, the airport is enormous and underutilized. Long-distance links are limited, but Pakistan International Airlines (PIA ) has flights from all major cities of Pakistan and Lufthansa has flights from Frankfurt Airport. All domestic and international flights leave from the same terminal. If you have time to spare and need a meal, head up to the fourth floor (above check-in), where you'll find an observation deck and a cafeteria serving up a simple buffet. Once through security, there are virtually no facilities aside from a snack stall and a book shop.  

SAPTCO runs comfortable shuttle buses between the airport and the bus station roughly hourly (SR12). The trip takes around 45 minutes. Alternatively, taxis can cover the same distance in half an hour and charge upwards of SR50.

By train

Dammam railway station is about 8 km from the city centre, connects to Abqaiq (40 min), Hofuf (1:10) and Riyadh (3:30).

• 2 Dammam Railway Station (محطة سكة الحديد بالدمام), Fatema Al Zahra St.  

By bus

• SAPTCO bus station (DMS  ^IATA), 11th St (some 700m north of the city center). There are regular services throughout the country, as well as SABTCO buses direct to Bahrain five times a day; see the Bahrain article for details. (updated Oct 2019)

By road

Dammam is well linked by the kingdom's modern highway network and the GCC road. Riyadh is 4 hours. Nearby Khobar is a 15 min drive, from where Bahrain is another half an hour by the King Fahd Causeway. Saptco runs regular buses.

Get around

Public transport is poor. Taxis and "dubbabs" dominate the market, and are usually used by the lower scale foreign workers. SR.2 is the standard fare for anywhere to anywhere! Best deal is thus the rent a car. Taxis charge 10–20SR for trips within the city proper. 25-30SR is usually charged to travel by taxi from Al-khobar to Dammam and vice versa.

Modern modes of public transportation that are becoming very popular include Uber and Careem cab booking services.

See

• 1 Dammam Corniche. The Dammam Corniche is basically a green strip facing the gulf. On a good weather day, you can have a nice picnic on the green grass. In summers, fish stink usually fills the entire corniche strip and humidity levels remain very high. 
• 2 Al Morjan island. Al Morjan island is a small artificial island with a monument in the center, located as an extension to the Corniche. This is a good place to have an afternoon walk, which of course depends on the weather. 
• Flagpole. Visit the tallest flagpole in the kingdom. Take a picture next to the 60-meter high flagpole. The flag availability on the pole can't be always guaranteed. 
• 3 Abu Loza's Bath (حمام ابو لوزة). Historic hamam (Turkish bathhouse) dating back to 11th century CE. (updated Jun 2021)
• 4 Tarout Castle. Historic Portuguese fort, built between 1515-1520 CE. The base of the fort, however, dates back at least another 2000 years. (updated Jun 2021)

Do

• Take a walk at Dammam's relatively new corniche, depending on the weather (best time between November till April). Track that is almost 4 kilometers long.
• Visit AlKaria AlSha'abia (People's Village Restaurant) museum and restaurant, a nice place indicating Saudi culture, and where traditional delicious plates can be ordered, it's within corniche area.
• Visit AlShate'a mall and Marina mall, two malls near corniche area, malls similar to those you find in western countries, where many international franchise restaurants can be found at the court area, nothing so special.
• Football: 1 Prince Mohammed Bin Fadh Stadium. This has a capacity of 26,000 and is the home ground for Al-Ettifaq, who play soccer in Pro League the top tier, and Al-Nhada playing in the third tier. (updated Feb 2024)
• Dammam Stadium is under construction in 2024, with a planned capacity of 40,000.

Buy

Gold! High grade gold is quite reasonably priced and beautiful to add to any jewelry collection. Just remember that at 24k the gold can literally bend by biting on it.

Eat

Budget

All these are in or near the city center:

• 1 Dammam taj hotel, 7893 15، 3958, Al 'Adaman. Vegetarian (updated Aug 2022)
• 2 Karachi Restaurant, Karachi Resturent Al Souq. (updated Aug 2022)
• 3 Hamza Restaurant, 7236 ابو منصور الازهري، Al Dawasir. (updated Aug 2022)
• 4 Madura Restaurant, Al Dawasir, 2103 الملك فيصل بن عبد العزيز،. South Indian (updated Aug 2022)
• 5 New Shalimar Breakfast & Snacks, 2168 الامير سعود بن جلوي، 7218. (updated Aug 2022)
• 6 Badar Restaurant, 7992 التاسع،. Pakistani (updated Aug 2022)

Mid-range

• 7 Horizon Restaurant, 9th Street, Al Souq. (updated Aug 2022)
• 8 Sumer Iraqi Food, 2076 7 ا، السلام، الدمام 32416 8632،، مقابل جولدن توليب، الدمام. (updated Aug 2022)
• 9 Manoosha Alreef, 3956-3976 Khaleej Rd. (updated Aug 2022)
• 10 La Casa Pasta, Khaleej Rd, 2nd Floor, Marina Mall. Italian (updated Aug 2022)

Drink

Alcohol is banned in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Dammam has no bars or pubs. However, there are several cafes, juice parlours and places serving speciality drinks and mocktails. Bottled non-alcoholic beer is also available in most shops. Bahrain is 20 minutes away and a popular getaway.

Sleep

• 1 Sheraton Dammam Hotel And Towers Hotel, 1st Street, ☏ +966 3 8345555, fax: +966 3 8349872. Prices from 500 SR (130 USD). 
• 2 Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Corniche Dammam (Swiss International Al Hamra), King Khaled Street (near Passport Office), ☏ +966 13 8333444, reservations.alhamra@swissiternationalhotels.com. 8 storey tower with 152 rooms, including 18 suites and executive floor. All rooms enjoy a city view. Non smoking rooms and disabled rooms are also available. From SR 311 per night. (updated Apr 2024)

Go next

• Khobar : just 15 minutes away by car.
• Dhahran : just 20 minutes away by car.
• Jubail : just 90 minutes away by car
• Bahrain : 20 minutes away by car and bridge costs 20SR to go to Bahrain

Speed limit is 120 km/h