Heritage Sites · Eastern Province
Ain Qannas
عين قناص
Photo: Neolithic site of Ayn Qannas, al-Ahsa, ca. 7000 BCE and after (4) (50620594986).jpg · Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia · CC BY 2.0 (licence)
Before you go
7 facts, each with its source- Time needed 1–2 hours Source: editor · category default
- Best season November–March Source: editor · category default
- Difficulty Easy — uneven ground and low doorways Source: editor · category default
- Family friendly Yes Source: editor · category default
- Drones Registration with GACA is required for any drone from 250 g, and registration alone is not permission to fly — an operational permit is also needed Source: official · national rule · General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) · checked 2026-09-05
- Dress Saudi Arabia expects modest dress in public: loose clothing covering shoulders and knees. Abaya is no longer required of visitors. Many of these sites are still lived in. Source: editor · category default
- Elevation 114 m Source: srtm · NASA SRTM 30 m model
Not confirmed for this place: 4x4 needed · Entry fee · Opening hours · Facilities · Wheelchair. Know one of these? Tell us →
Safety notes
- Rock-cut tombs, inscriptions and old-town streets are fragile and, outside the managed sites, unfenced. Stay on the paths, touch nothing, and take nothing — removing anything from an archaeological site is an offence.
- The managed heritage sites admit visitors by timed ticket and close to walk-ups. Book before you drive.
Editor notes, reviewed 2026-09-04
How far is it?
- 1 h 44 mfrom Dammam — King Fahd International (DMM) · 148 km
- 1 h 30 mfrom Dammam and Al Khobar · 126 km
- 4 h 1 mfrom Riyadh · 352 km
Road distance and driving time from OpenStreetMap routing, without traffic. Mountain tracks are often slower than the router thinks.
When to go
November–March- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
ComfortableToo hot
Rock-cut tombs, old towns and inscription sites are open desert ground. The visiting season is the cool half of the year and the visiting hours are the ends of the day.
Source: editor · category default · 2026-09-04. Category default set by the editor — a verified per-place season replaces it.
archaeological site
Short description from Wikidata (CC0) · Q22688967
About & Sources Ain Qannas
Ain Qannas is a heritage site in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia — Wikidata describes it as "archaeological site". Entry fee, opening hours and vehicle requirements have not yet been verified for this page — the fact box says so plainly rather than guessing, so check locally before you go. For this kind of place the comfortable season is typically November–March. Nearby: Jawatha Mosque, Qasr Sahud and Oval Chalet.
At a glance
- Heritage Sites · Eastern Province
- archaeological site
- Season: November–March (editor default)
- Has a Wikipedia article
- 1 open-data source · verified not yet
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, each with its author and licence.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Ain Qannas?
Typically November–March for heritage sites. Rock-cut tombs, old towns and inscription sites are open desert ground. The visiting season is the cool half of the year and the visiting hours are the ends of the day.
How long do I need at Ain Qannas?
1–2 hours (guidance for this category).
How high is Ain Qannas?
About 114 m above sea level (source: srtm).
Where is Ain Qannas?
In Eastern Province (SA-04), Saudi Arabia, at 25.5923, 49.6000 — near Jawatha Mosque, Qasr Sahud and Oval Chalet.
Who can take you there
All operators →Licensed local operators who run trips of this kind in this region. Contact them directly — we take no commission on an enquiry.
Are you a licensed operator who runs trips here? The first slot on this page is available to Verified operators for a flat monthly fee. No commission, and the enquiry goes straight to your WhatsApp.
Claim your listing →Operators are listed from open data and Ministry of Tourism's public directory. Ranking places paying operators first; everything else is by relevance and distance, and the badges say exactly what has been verified.
Nearby places
More in Eastern Province →
Jawatha Mosque
old mosque northeast of Hofuf, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Qasr Sahud
fort near Al Mubarraz
Al-Qarah Mountain
place in Saudi Arabia
Al-Shu'ba Mountain
place in Saudi Arabia
Information is compiled from open data and editor checks; conditions, fees and access change — verify locally before you travel.