Palms everywhere, relaxing shores, Saudi sun… Welcome to Yanbu Ras Al Abyadh. A city that lives between the Red Sea, history and peaks. Yanbu holds indeed a rich history which dates back to at least 2,000 years. The so-called ‘Pearl of the Red Sea’ used to be on the spice and incense route, which linked Yemen to Egypt. More recently, during WWI, Yanbu was a supply and operational base for Arab and British forces fighting the Ottoman Empire. That is during this period that Lawrence of Arabia lived in Yanbu, at the beginning of the Great Arab Revolt. You can visit the house he occupied between 1915 and 1916, which just has been restored. The city has now an international reputation for its oil refineries, making Yanbu the third major port of the country. Little by little, Yanbu attracts more and more visitors for other reasons than its rich soils. Its calm and stunning shores are the ideal place to have a peaceful walk. There, you can admire the majestic palms that made the reputation of the city. Stroll then through the lively streets of the historic centre, the beating heart of Yanbu. Let yourself be carried away by the oriental atmosphere of the Souq, an animated night market, and its spices and colours. If you discover Yanbu in March, it’s the perfect occasion to admire the spectacular Yanbu Flower Festival, which holds the world record of largest flower carpet. With its crystal-clear waters and untouched coral reefs, the Red Sea is full of perfect scuba diving spots. The Iona shipwreck, near Yanbu, is notably known for its beautiful coral reefs. For the most adventurous, one hour drive gets you to Yanbu Al Nakhal, ‘the valley of palm trees’, where you can admire the spring which gave its name to Yanbu.