Car & Van Hire - Yanbu

On the shores of the Red Sea, Yanbu is a popular destination for fans of water sports. This is where you'll find the best diving in Saudi Arabia. There are several dive centres around the city where you can rent equipment and learn the ropes before setting off on your underwater adventure! Some of the diving hot spots include the wreck of the SS Iona, which has gradually become a reef; the beautiful island of Abu Galawa, with its colourful coral surroundings; and the Seven Sisters, which is famous for its population of hammerhead sharks. If you don't want to go so deep underwater, snorkelling is also a popular activity. The warm water of the Red Sea makes swimming in this area a true pleasure.

Yanbu was also once home to one of the region's most famous historical figures. Thomas Edward Lawrence, who was immortalised as Lawrence of Arabia, lived in the city's old town in 1915 and 1916. When he left Yanbu, nobody touched his house. Legend said that it was haunted, so locals were afraid to go near. Finally, it was renovated and turned into a museum. This is an intriguing place to visit, where you can learn more about Lawrence's life and his role in the Great Arab Revolt.

With car hire in Yanbu, you can discover the splendour of the surrounding nature. If you thought Saudi Arabia was just a desert, think again! Hop into your car and head out to Radwa Mount, an enormous mountain that reaches 2,282 m at its highest point. This rugged mountain, with its jagged, red-tinged peaks, is an icon of the city. Several species of wildlife thrive here. If you're lucky, you may even see tigers, lynx or ibex wandering the rugged landscape.

You can use a car or van hire in Yanbu to visit all kinds of interesting places. While in the area, don't miss the chance to enjoy some of the local cuisines, too! As you might expect from a port city, seafood is often on the menu. Try siyadiah, which is a rich dish of fish and spiced rice. The fish used will vary according to the seasons, so you'll always enjoy something deliciously fresh. Many of the local dishes pair fish with unusual accompaniments. In masharmal, fish is served with citrus fruits and tahini sauce, while mafti mixes seafood with tangy tamarind. Many of the dishes here are not common elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, so you can enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind dining experience!

There is not much traffic in and around Yanbu, except during the holiday season. You'll generally find more cars on the roads at the weekends - and remember, in Saudi Arabia, that's Friday and Saturday. You'll still usually be able to find a parking space. Yanbu has a mixture of free and paid parking. Its Smart City innovations mean that you'll generally pay more for more attractive spaces. You can pay directly into a parking meter, which will accept both cash and cards. Alternatively, you can use a mobile app or another form of online payment.

In Saudi Arabia, the rules of the road are taken very seriously. Speed limits are strictly enforced, and you will find speed cameras, radars and traffic police almost everywhere you go. You'll also find a huge number of speed bumps compared to other countries, often unmarked. In general, speed limits are 50 km/h in cities, 70 km/h on urban freeways and 120 km/h on highways.

There are other details to be aware of when driving in Saudi Arabia. You will hear a call to prayer from nearby mosques five times a day. This is broadcast on loudhailers, so you can't miss it in any urban area. When the call to prayer is being broadcast, turn off your car radio. Playing music in your car during this time is strictly prohibited.

Police checkpoints are common, particularly if you are driving between cities. This is not a major worry, as they are a standard part of daily life in this country. Just show the officers your documentation, and they will let you continue on your way. Women can now legally drive, but they are still quite a rare sight on the roads, especially if you are travelling into more remote areas.

If you're visiting Yanbu as part of a broader Saudi Arabian road trip, you might want to consider a 4X4. It's not strictly necessary, but if you plan to go off the beaten track and explore some of the country's back roads and more obscure destinations, it will certainly make life easier. Don't worry about petrol. Gasoline is far, far cheaper in Saudi Arabia than in most other countries. Visitors from Europe will be shocked at the prices, as in many cases you will be paying less for a litre of petrol than for a litre of bottled water!