Tabuk

Not to be confused with Tabuk City, Philippines.

Tabuk (Arabic: تبوك Tabūk), also spelled Tabouk, is the capital city of the Tabuk province in northwestern Saudi Arabia. It has a population of 551,124 (2017 census).

Wheel limpet shells originating from the Red Sea near Tabuk

Understand

History

Around 500 BC, Tabuk town (then known as Taboo) was, together with Al Ola, the capital of the prosperous Al Ayaneyean. Around Tabuk, the Battle of Tabouk took place in the time of the prophet Muhammad.

Geography and climate

Desertous continental weather with hot summers and mild winters. Temperature in the summers are between 26-46°C while in winter they're between 4-18°C, with wide spread frosts. Freezes are common with temperatures reaching low -6°C in some winters. Rainfall in Tabuk Area falls in the winter months from November to March and precipitation ranges between 50 – 150 mm with some not uncommon snow every 3–4 years.

See

Tabuk mosque

• 1 Tabuk Museum (متحف تبوك). Large regional history museum. The museum is built at the former railway station of the Hijaz railway, which once connected Damascus with Medina. (updated Jun 2021)
• 2 Tabuk Castle (قلعة تبوك). Built in 1559. Now houses a museum. (updated Apr 2023)
• 3 Tabuk Mosque (مسجد التوبة). Main mosque in Tabuk, the current structure dates back to 1651. (updated Apr 2023)
• Nearby archeological sites, including Al Bidaa

Do

The Red Sea coast of Tabuk province appears to be rich with shells. However, the nearest Red Sea town, Duba, is 195 km from Tabuk city via Route 80, a drive that takes over 2½ hours.

Sleep

• 1 Hilton Garden Inn Tabuk, 7701 Prince Sultan Rd, ☏ +966 144 22 6116. (updated Apr 2016)
• Swiss International Tabuk, Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Street, ☏ +966 14 4231770, info.tabuk@swissinternationalhotels.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. 82 rooms & suites, a health club, spa, all day dining restaurant & cafe, an events hall and 5 meeting rooms. From SR 550 per night. (updated Jun 2018)