Best For
Fishing
Golfing
Cruises
Explore KAEC
A city in the Makkah region
King Abdullah Economic City
Luxury and leisure in Saudi’s newest city
King Abdullah Economic City, 100 kilometers north of Jeddah along the coast of the Red Sea, is a modern metropolis and booming tourist destination. Though it was conceived of in 2005 to attract international business, leisure is also a big part of KAEC’s appeal. International tournaments are played at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, one of the most renowned golf clubs in the Middle East, and a motorsports park is being built as part of the recently developed Lagoona leisure area. The expansive waterfront — which can be enjoyed year-round, as the desert climate in KAEC averages 28 degrees C — is another major draw, from the bike-friendly Beach Walk to soft-sand Yam Beach, which offers a range of watersports.
Activities in KAEC
When in KAEC, Go and Explore
Cruise the Red Sea Coast
Like much of the Red Sea coast, the area around KAEC is perfect to explore by boat, whether you just want to cruise or you prefer diving and snorkeling in the shallow reefs hugging the coastline. Boats can be rented at the marina for everything from 30 minutes to full-day fishing adventures in waters that host the Red Sea International Sport Fishing Tournament during the summer.
Yam Beach
Yam Beach, on the shores of the Bay La Sun district, is a hub for fun in KAEC. A shallow natural pool surrounded by coral reefs, it’s popular with kitesurfers and snorkelers, as well as families, who can relax under thatched umbrellas. There are kayaks and paddle boats to rent, and when you get hungry, you can stop by the food trucks lining the bay. And the beach isn’t far from Aqua Fun, a floating water park at the marina.
Go-Karting
Motorsports are a big part of KAEC’s DNA, and the easiest way to tap into the excitement is at Juman Karting, a high-speed 700-meter track near the city’s K-Max theater. Visitors can kart during the day, but many come at night, when the air is cooler and the floodlit track lends the experience a futuristic video game feel.
Travel tips
- Where to stay
Options include the slick Bay La Sun Hotel overlooking the marina, with its grand, cruiselike atrium, or the sleek Views Hotel & Residences — it has a grand marble lobby and sea-facing balconies and is close to Yam Beach.
- Where to eat
Stop by Casper & Gambini’s for great burgers and pizzas; Bhar for Middle Eastern meat and mezze; Al Safeer for fresh, tasty Red Sea fish dishes; and Seasons restaurant at the Bay La Sun Hotel for fine dining.
- Where to have fun
Take a spin around KAEC on two wheels with I-Bike, or head to Juman Park to play mini golf. Stop by Green Park — similar to New York’s Storm King — to check out quirky topiary animals, and visit Bay La Sun Marina & Yacht Club to find out about private boat trips and canal cruises.