Car & Van Hire - Al Qassim

Al Qassim is a central province in Saudi Arabia. Car or van hire in Al Qassim allows you to explore many of its towns and cities, which are rich in history and monuments. The best starting point is the provincial capital, Buraidah. The Buraidah Museum is dedicated to the history of Saudi Arabia, with a particular emphasis on the royal family. One of its top exhibits is the 1951 Cadillac that belonged to King Abdul Aziz, a real treat for any vintage car lovers.

While in Buraidah, you should also pay a visit to the Al Musawkaf market. This is a traditional Saudi market, an ideal place to pick up souvenirs, artisan produce, handicrafts and more. Don't be afraid to haggle! Vendors here love the art of negotiating. If you're ready to join in the fun, you'll have an easier time leaving with some great bargains.

For a more modern shopping experience, try Al Nakheel Plaza. This huge shopping centre is worth checking out, even if you don't fancy splashing out on designer gear. When the oppressive heat of the desert gets too much, Saudis love hanging out in shopping centres, so it's a great place to go and people-watch. You'll also find plenty of options in the food court, from traditional snacks to Western-style fast food.

Use car hire in Al Qassim to explore the surrounding region. One of the most interesting sights in Al Qassim is about 100 km from Buraidah. The majestic Al Shinanah Tower has a curious, conical shape that stretches 30 m in the air. It can be seen from far away, rising out of the sands like a bizarre desert mirage. It was originally built from clay as a fortification to protect the village of Shanana from invading armies. It was built during the days of the Ottoman Empire in the year 1699.

Another curious sight worth checking out with car or van rental in Al Qassim is the Antarah Ibn Shaddad Rock. This boulder is balanced precariously and always looks to be in danger of toppling over. Local legend claims that famed poet, knight and adventurer Antarah bin Shaddad met his lady love Ablah here. It has developed a romantic legend and is also known as the Lovers' Rock. Locally, it's known as a meeting point for couples and makes a great backdrop for your romantic photos - but please remember to respect Saudi norms about public displays of affection! Get a close look so you can admire the old inscriptions carved into the rock.

Traffic is at its heaviest in the city of Buraidah, but it's easy enough for visitors to avoid the city centre during rush hour. In the city, most parking must be paid for, while it's common to find free parking in smaller towns around Al Qassim. Parking is almost always free on Fridays. If you plan to leave your car for a long time, it's best to look for a covered or underground car park. Al Qassim is hot almost all year round, and leaving your car out in the sun is not a good idea.

The province of Al Qassim is largely a desert area. A 4WD vehicle is not strictly necessary, but you might find it useful if you plan to explore the area in depth. Modern, well-maintained highways link the towns and cities of the region. Potential hazards include occasional sandstorms and wandering animals, such as camels or goats. If an animal does cross the road ahead of you, either wait for it to pass or drive carefully around it. It's never a good idea to honk your horn in an effort to intimidate, particularly if you see goats. They can respond aggressively.

In the event of a sandstorm, you may need to pull over. Always put safety first. If visibility is diminished, it's often better to wait in your vehicle on the side of the road until things clear up and you can continue your journey.

It very rarely rains in this part of Saudi Arabia. This means that if you do experience rainfall, the roads can become rather chaotic. Local drivers aren't used to wet roads, and the number of accidents increases. Keep a cool head and pay close attention to the drivers around you.

Speeding is never recommended, but it's a particularly bad idea while in Saudi Arabia. First, you will probably see more speed bumps here than in any other country, often unmarked. As well as this, there is a huge number of speed cameras and radars, and traffic police are a common sight, watching out for law-breakers. Finally, punishments in Saudi Arabia are very harsh. If you do break the rules of the road, you will be subject to an eye-watering fine.

On roads between cities, police checkpoints are a common sight. Don't panic if they pull you over - random checks are a normal part of everyday life here.