Saudi Arabia · City Guide
Gizan
Gizan (Jazan) is a coastal city in southwestern Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea near the border with Yemen, providing access to the beautiful Farasan Islands marine protected area, dramatic mountain scenery in the nearby Asir region, traditional architecture distinctive to the southwestern Tihama coastal plain and outstanding seafood. As one of Saudi Arabia's least visited regions, Gizan provides a genuinely different and undiscovered experience.
Elect's take
"Gizan is one of the most genuinely undiscovered destinations in Saudi Arabia. The Farasan Islands are beautiful, the coastal culture is distinctive and the proximity to the dramatic Asir mountains creates a destination of real variety for adventurous travellers."
The Farasan Islands, a marine protected area in the Red Sea accessible by ferry from Gizan, provide beautiful beaches, mangrove ecosystems, coral reefs and a population of rare gazelles found nowhere else. The traditional architecture of the Tihama coastal plain, with its distinctive coral stone buildings and unique decorative traditions, differs markedly from the rest of Saudi Arabia. The Asir Mountains rise dramatically inland providing cooler temperatures and outstanding scenery. The seafood culture along the Gizan coast, reflecting the Red Sea fishing tradition, is excellent. The region's connection to Yemeni cultural influences creates a distinctive character.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
Farasan Islands
A beautiful Red Sea marine protected area with rare gazelles and coral reefs.
Tihama Architecture
Distinctive coral stone buildings unique to the southwestern coastal plain.
Asir Mountains
Dramatic cooler mountain scenery rising inland from the Red Sea coast.
Red Sea Seafood
Excellent fresh fish reflecting the traditional Red Sea fishing culture.
Mangrove Ecosystems
Important coastal mangrove habitats supporting diverse marine and bird life.
Undiscovered Arabia
One of Saudi Arabia's least visited regions with a genuinely distinctive character.
