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.
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, 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.
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.
