Ha'il City Guide

Local dishes include Keubaibat Hail and Hail Harees. International food options include Indian and American. Vegetarian options exist but dedicated vegan places are rare. Some late-night food and delivery options are available.

Nightlife is quiet and family-friendly, focusing on cafes and tea houses. Alcohol and nightclubs are banned. Occasional DJ events happen in lounges without alcohol.

Local cafés and tea houses are common places to meet and work. Coffee culture is growing with some specialty spots.

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. Around 10% in restaurants is common.

SIMs are available at airports and local shops from STC, Mobily, and Zain. Activation requires passport and fingerprint registration. eSIMs are also offered by main providers.

Ha'il is generally clean with ongoing municipal efforts to maintain public spaces.

Some stores, gyms, and cafes operate 24/7 but many close early for prayer times.

Supermarkets like Al Dakheel and Al Dewan offer local and imported goods. Traditional markets are good for fresh produce and dates. Stores usually open from morning until around midnight.

Most payments are contactless or card-based, especially in cities. Still carry some cash for taxis, small shops, and rural areas.

ATMs are common in Ha'il, especially from Al Rajhi and Alinma banks which usually accept foreign cards without extra fees. Some ATMs only support domestic Mada cards.

Ha'il has local and international schools offering various curricula, including British and Pakistani. University of Ha'il is local higher education. Admissions open early in the year with some waiting lists.

Ha'il has a small but growing community of remote workers. Coworking spaces are limited.

Several parks and mountain areas offer green spaces for relaxation and sports.

Running is possible in parks and around the city, with some green areas outlying.

Several gyms offer 24/7 access and ladies-only facilities. Football and other sports are popular.

Outdoor tennis and padel courts exist with some booking options. Rentals may be limited.

Padel courts are available with limited rental gear; bring your own if possible.

Yoga classes exist though studios are few. Wellness facilities and spas are limited but present.

Martial arts like karate and taekwondo are practiced locally in clubs.

No skiing near Ha'il. Saudi Arabia's ski resort is in NEOM (Tabuk Province).

Water sports only available on Saudi coasts, not in Ha'il.

No surfing in Ha'il, but sandboarding is available in nearby desert.

No diving near Ha'il; diving available on Red Sea coast.

Healthcare quality is good in public and private clinics. English-speaking staff found mainly in private hospitals like Saudi German Hospital Hail. Pharmacies have many OTC meds; some drugs require prescriptions.

Tap water is treated but has some contamination risks and taste issues. Bottled or filtered water is recommended for drinking.

Ha'il has many playgrounds, parks like Aja Park with family activities, and amusement parks. Baby supplies are found in supermarkets and online. Kid-friendly cafés are limited.

Saudi Arabia has strict laws against LGBTQ activities; public expression is restricted.

Pet facilities are limited but some parks allow pets. Animal services exist for common needs.