Arar City Guide
Image by Niboj74 via wikipedia

Saudi Arabia

Arar City Guide

Northern Borders Province

Arar is a regional center near the Iraqi border in northern Saudi Arabia. It mainly serves residents and travelers with basic amenities. The city is quiet and conservative with limited tourist attractions.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Limited
5

Local dishes like Kabsa and Mandi are common. Some fast food and basic international restaurants exist. Vegetarian options are limited.

Local Dishes:
Kabsa, Mandi, Grilled meats
International Cuisine:
Fast food chains, Basic international restaurants
🌙
Nightlife
Poor
1

No bars or clubs due to local laws. Evenings are spent in cafes or with family.

Coffee Culture
Good
6

Developing coffee culture with local cafés and some international chains.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is not required but appreciated. Around 5-10% in restaurants, rounding up in taxis.

Top Attractions
Arar Museum
Culture
Museum showcasing local history and culture.
Local Parks
Outdoor
Parks to relax and exercise.
Traditional Markets
Shopping
Souks offering local goods and some bargaining.
SIM Cards

SIM cards require ID registration. STC, Mobily, and Zain are the main providers. Available at airport and official shops.

Available at:
STC stores
Mobily stores
Zain stores
Airport kiosks
Recommended Apps
STC Pay(Finance)
Careem(Transportation)
Hungerstation(Food)
Noon(Shopping)
Tawakkalna(Utilities)
Sehhaty(Health)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
6

Main areas are moderately clean with regular waste collection.

24/7 Services
Limited
5

Some pharmacies and minimarts open 24/7. Fast food available after hours.

Groceries
Panda
Danube
Carrefour

Supermarkets like Panda, Danube, and Carrefour offer international products. Stores open morning to late evening, often closing Friday afternoons.

Cashless Payments
Cash preferred

Cards work in larger shops, but cash is common in smaller places.

ATMs

ATMs from major banks like Al Rajhi and NCB are common. Local withdrawals usually have low or no fees; international card fees depend on your bank.

Schools
Local only

Information on schools and international options is limited.

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Starbucks
Wi-Fi and quiet spots for working.
Dunkin'
Casual chain with Wi-Fi.
Al Masaa Cafe
Local café with suitable work environment.
Al Majlis Cafe
Another local option for working with Wi-Fi.
Alternatives:
Hotel lobbies
Possible quiet spots with Wi-Fi.
Public libraries
Limited info but might be available.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
1

Very small or no digital nomad community due to the city’s nature.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Limited
4

Limited green spaces and shaded areas due to desert climate.

Running
Limited
4

Running possible in parks and on some sidewalks, but air quality can be a concern.

Gyms
Available

Several gyms and fitness centers serve locals and visitors.

Available Gyms:
Fitness Time
Gold's Gym
Local fitness centers
Tennis
Poor
0

No known tennis facilities.

Padel
Poor
0

No known padel courts.

Yoga
Poor
0

No known dedicated yoga studios.

Martial Arts
Poor
0

No specific info on martial arts training facilities.

Skiing
Poor
0

No skiing facilities.

Water Sports
Poor
0

No water sports due to desert location.

Surfing
Poor
0

No surfing available; interior desert location.

Diving
Poor
0

No diving options available.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
6

Arar Central Hospital serves the city. Private clinics may offer English-speaking staff. Pharmacies are widespread with common meds.

Hospitals:
Arar Central Hospital
Pharmacies:
Local pharmacies across the city
Tap Water Safety
Not recommended

Tap water is not recommended for drinking; bottled water is preferred.

Common Scams
Inflated prices for tourists (less common here), Online scams, Unsolicited offers

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Limited
4

Limited family-friendly facilities and attractions in the city.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Poor
1

LGBTQ+ expression is illegal and acceptance is very low.

Pet Friendly
Poor
3

Pet policies are restrictive in public. Veterinary services exist.

Communities
Arar community Facebook groups (Social)
WhatsApp interest groups (Social)
Local news websites and social media (Information)

Quick Facts

Population
167,057
Power Reliability
Excellent
9/10

Power supply is generally reliable with few outages.

Languages
Arabic(100%)
Emergency
999
Police
997
Ambulance
998
Fire

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
Very Low Risk
1

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme heat
May, June, July, August, September
Temperatures often exceed 40°C (104°F) during summer.
Dust storms
March, April, May
Dust storms can reduce air quality and visibility.

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