RIYADH: Heritage villages across Saudi Arabia’s Baha region are drawing domestic and international visitors this summer as festivals, cultural events and living museums transform centuries-old sites into major tourism attractions, supporting the Kingdom’s drive to expand cultural tourism under Vision 2030.
More than 72 heritage villages and historical sites are being restored and developed through partnerships between government authorities and local communities, preserving Saudi Arabia's cultural identity while creating new economic opportunities for residents through tourism, hospitality and small businesses.
Among the region’s best-known destinations are Dhee Ayn Heritage Village, Bin Raqoush Palace, Bin Allas Fortress, Al-Atawlah, and Al-Abadilahand Al-Mousa Village. Located across Baha’s highlands and the Tihama plain, the sites showcase traditional architecture, local history and ancient civilizations while hosting folkloric performances, traditional games, embroidery and handicraft demonstrations, Arabic calligraphy workshops, heritage clothing exhibitions and local cuisine.
Al-Atawlah Heritage Festival, one of the region’s flagship summer events, runs for 10 days and recreates traditional customs, including bridal processions and hospitality rituals, offering visitors an immersive look at the daily lives and social traditions of earlier generations.
