King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture - Ithra

We were there on the Founding day holiday and they had many activities going on. The building itself is an architectural masterpiece with its curves and geometrical shapes. We visited the various sections including the library and gaming zones. Everything was well organized and professionally arranged. We had fun and enjoyed our time.

I recently visited Ithra, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran, and it was an incredible experience. The building itself is stunning — a futuristic design that immediately catches your eye. Inside, there’s so much to explore: a museum, a library, a theater, a cinema, an innovation lab, and even a dedicated space for children. I loved how the center blends art, science, and culture in such an interactive and engaging way. There were exhibitions and workshops that felt both educational and inspiring, and I appreciated how it showcased local Saudi talent while also introducing global perspectives. It’s a great place for families, solo visitors or anyone curious about culture and creativity. The only downside I noticed was that some displays had limited English translations, but overall, it didn’t take away from the experience. Ithra left me feeling both enlightened and inspired — definitely a place I’d recommend to anyone visiting the Eastern Province.

A beautiful day at Ithra with my daughter! We explored the Children’s Museum—full of creative workshops and fun educational games—and had the bonus of enjoying the Japanese Cultural Festival happening at the same time! We also stopped by their stunning library, home to thousands of books for all ages. Truly a hidden gem in the heart of the Eastern Province.

Perhaps the most amazing place to visit in Dammam. The authorities have done an exceptional job to really display different cultures. Best place to take children's to learn something new. Love the layout of the building. Nice cafes and the library has some really nice selection of books. They have different cultural displays in various months. Members get to have more interactive sessions with experts. Entry is totally free.

My friend and I visited one evening and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The architecture of the structure is amazing against the backdrop of the desert. The interior of the complex is amazing between the curving of the spaces and natural design elements woven throughout the galleries and spaces. The sustainability exhibit and history of Aramco were interested and well thought out. I was happy to see the amount of space dedicated to a children's library in building as well. This is a wonderful place to spend the afternoon or evening while in the Eastern Province!

The event was so well organized. I loved the decorations, order, security, the facilities, and the variety of cultural representation. I almost felt like I was in Japan (for this event). Everyone did a wonderful job and the performances were outstanding. I recommend this place and its events 👌

Very nice and beautifully curated center, truly gives you an essence of science, technology, art history and of course ARAMCO. The center is popularly known as Ithra and it was such an amazing experience to be here. Theme was Saudi founding day which is being celebrated on 23rd of February 2025.best time to visit is evening and best months are winter, that is when you will be able to actually sit in the garden and enjoy the beauty of this structure. The only drawback is that the crowd was a little mismanaged, Aramco buses are there but employees forgot to inform about the bus' destination and we ended up in a different parking spot which resulted in us wasting close to an hour tryin to find the correct bus to our parking. But it's a must visit apart from such glitches, as such this is the closest you can experience the Aramco way and also the Saudi Hospitality.

A Great Cultural Destination Ithra is a wonderful place to spend quality time with friends and family. This modern library boasts an impressive collection of books, along with a variety of events—from book exhibitions to cultural performances like music and theater. Best of all, entry is completely free! While most attractions are free, some special events are paid and can be booked through the official Ithra app, available on both the Play Store and App Store. There is a food court on-site, but the options are quite expensive, and the quality isn’t particularly impressive. Still, my overall experience visiting Ithra on Eid was enjoyable. Be prepared for crowds on weekends and holidays, but despite that, it’s definitely worth a visit.