openSaudi Arabia العربية
Representative photo of caves & sinkholes in Saudi Arabia, not Ghar al Kahafah
Representative photoNadbaqa · CC BY SA 3.0

Caves & Sinkholes · Eastern Province

Ghar al Kahafah

غار الكهفة

The picture above is a representative photograph, not this place — no free-licensed photograph of it exists yet. Have one to share?

Before you go

8 facts, each with its source
  • Time needed 1–2 hours Source: editor · category default
  • Best season November–March Source: editor · category default
  • Difficulty Moderate — dark, damp and uneven underfoot Source: editor · category default
  • Family friendly Older children — dark and slippery Source: editor · category default
  • Facilities Nothing mapped nearby — bring water, expect no toilets Source: osm · no facility mapped within 800 m
  • 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. Closed shoes with grip and one warm layer; caves stay cool. Source: editor · category default
  • Elevation 152 m Source: srtm · NASA SRTM 30 m model

Not confirmed for this place: 4x4 needed · Entry fee · Opening hours · Wheelchair. Know one of these? Tell us →

Safety notes

  • Lava tubes and limestone sinkholes here are unlit, unmarked and often entered over loose rock above a drop. Look from the rim; going down is a caving trip, not a visit.

Editor notes, reviewed 2026-09-04

How far is it?

  • 2 h 36 mfrom Dammam — King Fahd International (DMM) · 218 km
  • 2 h 46 mfrom Dammam and Al Khobar · 231 km
  • 5 h 10 mfrom Riyadh · 470 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
  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D
ComfortableToo hot

The lava-field caves and the limestone sinkholes are reached across open ground with no shade; the approach sets the season, not the cave.

Source: editor · category default · 2026-09-04. Category default set by the editor — a verified per-place season replaces it.

About & Sources Ghar al Kahafah

Ghar al Kahafah is a cave or sinkhole in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. 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: Zibarat Quhdiyah, King Abdulaziz Palace and Zibarat Munifah.

At a glance

  • Caves & Sinkholes · Eastern Province
  • Season: November–March (editor default)
  • 2 open-data sources · verified not yet

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Ghar al Kahafah?

Typically November–March for caves & sinkholes. The lava-field caves and the limestone sinkholes are reached across open ground with no shade; the approach sets the season, not the cave.

How long do I need at Ghar al Kahafah?

1–2 hours (guidance for this category).

What facilities are there at Ghar al Kahafah?

Nothing mapped nearby — bring water, expect no toilets (source: osm).

How high is Ghar al Kahafah?

About 152 m above sea level (source: srtm).

Where is Ghar al Kahafah?

In Eastern Province (SA-04), Saudi Arabia, at 27.4089, 48.2905 — near Zibarat Quhdiyah, King Abdulaziz Palace and Zibarat Munifah.

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.

This slot is open

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.

Thāj ©

Heritage Sites · Eastern Province

Thāj

archaeological site in Saudi Arabia

Information is compiled from open data and editor checks; conditions, fees and access change — verify locally before you travel.