Covered lanes
A grid of shops.
saudipics — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Yafa.naif — CC BY-SA 4.0 · محمد الفهيد — CC BY-SA 4.0 · saudipics — CC BY-SA 4.0 · saudipics — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Yafa.naif — CC BY-SA 4.0 · saudipics — CC BY-SA 4.0
A historic market in central Hofuf, on the western side of the Al-Rifa'a quarter, and one of the twelve sites of the Al-Ahsa Oasis on UNESCO's World Heritage List. It is considered one of the oldest examples of a traditional Arab souq in the region. The souq was built in stages from the Jabrid era (1392-1524), expanded early in the Ottoman period, and partly renewed on its western side in the first years after King Abdulaziz took Al-Ahsa, between 1918 and 1923. A great fire in 2001 destroyed about 80 per cent of it, and it was rebuilt. It is a single-storey building of 80 by 160 metres laid out as a grid, with 422 shops along covered lanes and 14 entrances, and an arched arcade fronting the main street on its western side. Stalls sell Hasawi bishts, perfumes, spices, dates and traditional crafts. Wandering is free, and the lanes are busiest in the evening. Pair it with nearby Qasr Ibrahim for a walk through central Hofuf.
A grid of shops.
A souq speciality.
Arches on the main street.
Al-Rifa'a quarter, central Hofuf
Hasawi bishts, perfumes, spices, dates and traditional crafts; wandering its lanes is free.
