Burayda

Burayda is a regional capital in Buraidah Governorate, located in north-central Saudi Arabia at an elevation of roughly 650 meters (2,130 feet). The settlement spreads over a wide area with broad streets, modern residential districts, and traditional markets, surrounded by palm groves and farmland.

The settlement began as a rest stop along old trade routes linking the Red Sea with the Persian Gulf. Over the centuries it grew into a trading center, benefiting from its position on caravan paths crossing the region.

The city has long been known for growing dates, and this tradition shapes daily life today. Markets fill with vendors offering fresh and dried varieties, and the local economy still depends on the palm groves that surround the settlement.

Highway links reach larger cities in the region, and train services run to Riyadh and Medina. The best time to visit falls between October and March, when temperatures are more moderate and travel feels more comfortable.

In the southern part of the settlement sits a large date market considered one of the largest in the world. Traders from across the Gulf region come here to buy varieties harvested from the surrounding plantations.