Meet NEOM, The Upcoming Sustainable Destination.
NEOM is an ambitious development project in the southwest corner of Saudi Arabia, near Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.
Though NEOM is often described as a megacity, it is much more than that!
It will be an entire region, consisting of Sindalah, The Line, Oxagon, Trojena, Leyja, Epicon, Siranna, Utamo, Norlana, Aquellum, Zardun, Xaynor, the NEOM Islands, and the Red Sea Project.
This amazing city is inventive all the way down to its name, which is a combination of the Greek prefix for new (“neo”) and an Arabic word for future (“Mustaqbal”).
The “M” at the end also pays homage to HRH The Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS), who is the founder of NEOM.
The first chapter of NEOM should be completed by 2025, with other improvements and expansions rolling out afterwards.
Meet the beautiful regions of NEOM
In total, NEOM will be over 30 times larger than the city of New York.
It will boast its own social norms and regulations, as an independent zone in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The nearly 27,000 sq. km area offers different climates and landscapes.
All this geographic diversity will be divided into 14 different economic sectors, each offering its own amenities and way of life.
Get acquainted with a few of NEOM’s unique districts and features below!
1) The Line: A new kind of sustainable city
If you’ve ever imagined a truly sustainable city, you will see that vision come to life in The Line.
This highly-anticipated city in NEOM will range over 170 kilometers in a single line, which is only 200 meters wide.
Running entirely on renewable energy, with all living environments strategically layered on top of each other, the incredible city will eventually house up to 5 million people in NEOM.
The vertical construction, 500M above sea-level, is purposeful, since it enables an extremely walkable design, with all key amenities, such as parks, schools, shops, and restaurants, within a five minute walk of every residence.
Other amenities, such as sports stadiums and cultural attractions, will be accessible with high-speed trains.
On top of that ground-breaking design, the city will be inside a mirrored facade, reflecting the natural landscape around it.
Since this incredible city will be constructed to prioritize the well-being of its people, it will be an unparalleled place to live and work.
The climate will remain moderate year round, with intelligent technology, natural ventilation, and an ideal balance of sunlight and shade.
The best part?
Once you visit the Line, you can take advantage of its transportation solutions to explore the other incredible regions of NEOM!
2) Trojena: A mountain retreat like no other
If you head into the mountains of NEOM, you’ll encounter a ski destination like no other: Trojena.
This ultra-luxury ski destination is part of the highest mountain range in Saudi Arabia, with some peaks over 2,500 meters above sea level.
With these towering peaks, you can enjoy wintersports, no matter the season, in Trojena.
This mountain getaway district will be divided into 6 different areas, with facilities for every type of skier.
From beginners to experts, there will be something to challenge and excite everyone.
Even if skiing isn’t the top thing on your list, you’ll be able to enjoy the villages, offering boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and hotels.
Trojena will be a perfect getaway, regardless of your situation.
From the most ultra-luxurious hotels to upscale family hotels, you will always be able to find the perfect fit for your needs.
Plus, if you get bored of winter sports, you cna head down the mountain towards the nature reserve, which offers a host of other outdoor activities, including water sports on the two-mile lake, hiking, biking, and more!
3) Sindalah: Your next island gateway
Shaped like a seahorse, this island will be the first vacation destination available for tourists viewing NEOM.
Of NEOM’s nearly 40 islands, you should be excited to visit this one, with its over 5,000 berths, breathtaking views, and unforgettable amenities.
You could be visiting this beautiful escape as early as 2024!
Sindalah will offer a year-round resort, with 3 luxury hotels and over 50 retail outlets, enough to satisfy every kind of traveler.
The island is equipped with the best technology, paired with unparalleled natural beauty.
The golf resort with integrated technology allows you to elevate your game, while the luxurious spas & wellness facilities will help you unwind afterwards.
With easy access to Europe and the Mediterranean, Sindalah provides a perfect location to enjoy elevated living.
If you happen to be passing through on a boat, you’ll be sure to meet with excellent services.
The expert yachting provider, BWA Yachting, will have its own office at Sindalah, guaranteeing an amazing yacht escape.
This will be advantageous for yacht owners, renters, and cruisers alike.
Like all parts of NEOM, conservation is at the heart of Sindalah as well.
With more than 600 native species to experience, water activities, such as scuba diving and snorkeling, are unparalleled in Sindalah.
If this sounds like your type of escape, make sure you’re paying attention to updates, so you can be among the first to visit this paradise.
4) The Red Sea Project: An Ultra-Luxury Tourism Destination
The development of NEOM wouldn’t be complete without a project devoted to the beauty of the Red Sea.
The Red Sea Project is a development of ultra-luxury tourism, which is meant to combine natural beauty and conservation, with top level travel.
Since this is a part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, you can be sure the Red Sea project will live up to these exacting standards.
The Red Sea Project encompasses many islands with desert landscapes, and biodiverse marine environments.
One of the best features of the Red Sea Project is its world-class resorts, with gorgeous views.
These resorts, designed with sustainability at its core, create unique vacation getaways that allow you to experience harmony with nature.
For an example of this beauty, look no further than Foster + Partners “Coral Bloom” hotel design, located on Shura Island.
The Shura hotels meld seamlessly with the natural surroundings, with beautiful villas nestled into the dunes.
This not only provides a harmonious, luxurious hotel, but the design also acts as a natural deterrent to erosion, so the island can be enjoyed in generations to come.
5) The NEOM islands: Elevated Island Living
Another example of NEOM taking full advantage of the Red Sea, The NEOM Islands represent the next step in island tourism.
These islands epitomize NEOM’s larger commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility.
Plus, they’re an unparalleled luxury getaway anyone should look forward to!
Spanning many islands, each with its distinct charm, the NEOM Islands offer travelers a secluded paradise where conservation and luxury come together.
The islands, designed to offer amazing views, host world-class resorts and eco-conscious accommodations alike.
All with pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs.
For example, Shushah Island is another gem in NEOM’s crown that aims to improve and preserve coral reefs in the Red Sea.
This futuristic island will feature hotels, villas, beach club, museum, and a marina.
This floating marina will be a wonder, housing the world’s largest coral garden.
Not only will this coral garden help preserve coral reefs in the face of climate change, it will serve as a tourist attraction on the island.
In addition to appreciating the natural surroundings and marine life, guests can experience wellness offerings, spas, and excellent restaurants across the NEOM Islands.
Much like the rest of NEOM, the islands have an incredible commitment to sustainability.
The resorts minimize their ecological footprint, through using renewable energy and eco-friendly construction.
The NEOM Islands invite travelers to enjoy luxury and embrace ecological stewardship!
6) Oxagon: The Floating City Port of NEOM
A new center of industry and shipping, Oxagon will be a new economic hub for Saudi Arabia in NEOM, bringing industrial activity into the future with clean energy.
Expected to be the permanent home of approximately 90,000 people, Oxagon will be a new-age integrated port, with smart-logisitcs technology, to boost global trade.
If that isn’t enough, Oxagon will be the world’s largest floating structure, with half of the city floating in the Red Sea.
Due to its location with easy access to the Suez Canal, Oxagon is the most business-forward sector of NEOM and will undoubtedly be a key stop for global trade routes.
With plans to run entirely on renewable energy, this floating city also represents a leap forward into sustainable industry and business.
Although Oxagon will undoubtedly be a hub for shipping, transportation, and business, it will not be without its own tourist attractions!
There are plenty of beaches, parks, and natural conservation in the plans for the port city as well.
For travelers, Oxagon will also offer the biggest cruise terminal in the entire Red Sea, so it is bound to be a popular travel spot as well.
7) Leyja: The Ultra-Luxury Wellness Destination
Within the greater project of NEOM, we can expect a sustainable, luxury oasis to come to life with Leyja.
This stunning destination melds luxury hotels into the landscape of the natural mountains around it, towering up to 400 meters.
In fact, Leyja will stretch from the Gulf of Aqaba through the natural valley and among the gorgeous mountains.
Leyja will be mindfully constructed to preserve 95% of the natural environment for future generations.
Beyond this, Leyja will incorporate innovation, new-edge ecological design, and construction, which will be at the forefront of sustainable tourism.
The design will also ensure that Leyja melds seamlessly into the landscape around it.
Leyja will have three unique, luxury hotels to choose from and each will have its own focus: wellness, oasis, and adventure respectively.
For a closer look at each of these hotels, keep reading:
- The wellness-focused hotel will be a retreat-style hotel, promoting holistic wellness, self-care, and peace. The design, which utilizes a reflective mirror facade around the property, reflects the beauty of the valley and mountains for a totally serene setting.
- The oasis hotel rests in the heart of Leyja’s largest oasis in a wadi (canyon or ravine). The property cuts a stunning figure against the rock, with an extravagant staircase stretching down into the valley for guests to enter through. It will be a truly unique hotel, with second-to-none views of the scenery around it.
- The adventure-focused hotel gives visitors the best of adventure tourism and luxury travel at the same time. The hotel itself works up one of the wadi’s walls as if it were part of the natural scenery. The unique design not only preserves the area’s natural beauty, but also provides a great jumping-off point for tourists who want to pursue rocking climbing, hiking, and other activities in the area.
8) EPICON – An Innovative Beach Resort
Along the coast of the picturesque Gulf of Aqaba, Epicon will be a glistening sanctuary, rising into the scenery around it.
Epicon will contain an ultra-luxurious complex, a 5-star hotel, a breathtaking resort, and unparalleled private residences, all next to the serene backdrop of the Gulf of Aqaba’s beaches.
Epicon creates an amazing immersive and indulgent experience that puts guests at the height of luxury and relaxation.
On top of that, we guarantee you’ve never seen a hotel with a design like this one.
Epicon features glistening materials that reflect the beauty around it, like a mirage, with two towers rising above the desert at 225 meters and 275 meters respectively.
These towers will house a combination of luxury hotel rooms and residences, with 14 suites and apartments, all with stunning natural views.
At the foot of these incredible towers, you’ll find the Epicon resort which creates the perfect blend of relaxation and extravagance, with an additional 120 rooms and 45 villas, which take advantage of the beachfront property and views.
All of these amenities combine to create a futuristic, beach getaway, which offers guests an immediate escape from the stressors of day-to-day life.
In fact, Epicon is designed with top-tier relaxation and tranquility in mind.
The beach club, with unparalleled views and amenities, allows you to explore the natural environment with modern comforts.
For a deeper relaxation, visit the spa with a host of luxurious spa treatments on offer and relaxing views to enhance your spa time.
Between spa treatments and the beach club, check out the other luxurious amenities, such as the state-of-the-art gym, library, working spaces, pools, lounges, and more.
They will all make you feel like you’re on top of the world, living at the height of luxury!
This includes everything you would associate from luxury, from top-notch amenities, world-class services, and first-class experiences.
For those with a desire for adventure, Epicon also has avenues for that!
With the dazzling waters of the Gulf of Aqaba nearby, there are countless watersports to enjoy and beach activities at your fingertips.
At the end of the day, enjoy destination restaurants with the best cuisine and elevated lounges.
Wether you want to explore the beauty of the desert scenery and the beach or dive in with an adventurous spirit, Epicon has everything for your enjoyment, wrapped in the most breathtaking beach scenery you’ve ever seen!
9) Siranna – An Exclusive Tourist Escape
Siranna offers another exclusive escape for tourists along the Gulf of Aqaba, unlike any other you’ve ever seen!
This community rises up along the rugged vision of the coastline with hexagonal pillars scraping up against the skies.
While the pillars cut an impressive line against the sky, they fit naturally into the beauty of the mountains, Red Sea, and flora around it.
With sweeping views of the Red Sea, Siranna is a beautiful destination for tourists and residents alike, as Siranna will host a 65-key hotel and 35 exclusive residents.
As with the rest of NEOM, Siranna is a sustainable development with minimal disruption to nature.
The development of this exceptional property will pay homage to its natural environment and work to preserve the landscape.
In this way, Siranna exemplifies again NEOM’s commitment to creating environmentally responsible developments that strive to enrich the human experience and spur wellness.
Siranna is particularly exclusive, not just due to its luxury but also because guests must arrive on waterborne transportation.
The journey to Siranna in itself then becomes a mystical event, as guests’ boats weave through the natural rock formations on the way.
Once people arrive at Siranna, their focuses are relaxation and encouraging original thinking.
Since it is so removed from the hustle and bustle of normal life, Siranna will be the perfect environment for mindfulness in a trendy, calm setting.
To help with this focus on relaxation, Siranna has a host of ultra-luxury amenities.
Relax your mind and body at the signature beach club, spas, and state-of-the-art wellness facilities around the community.
Wander through the gorgeous landscape using the walking “discovery” trails or via horseback for a different adventure.
For dining and entertainment, you can also expect many options so there will be something for every taste and interest.
This is another impressive development in the larger goal of NEOM, which will be an incredible escape for tourists and residents looking for a break from the noise of everyday life.
10) UTAMO – THE NEW HOME FOR GROUNDBREAKING PERFORMANCES
For art lovers around the world, Utamo is destined to be your new favorite venue!
Wrapped in the stunning mountains along the Gulf of Aqaba’s coast, with beautiful carvings surrounding it, Utamo will be the world’s most innovative and immersive performance venue.
Combining cutting edge technology with the dramatic, natural scenery, this amazing location will be a new global stage for musicians, artists, fashion designers, and other creatives!
Not to mention, the new top performance venue for viewers wanting a new-before-seen experience!
To arrive at Utamo, visitors will walk through an expansive garden promenade, which features over 50 different kinds of plants.
This garden promenade invites visitors to connect with nature, before they enter the grand hall.
The grand hall’s entrance makes an impressive sight, with an entrance over 60 meters tall, complemented by the blocks of rectangular rock that flank it moving upwards.
This impressive door gives visitors a taste of the splendor they will find inside, as well as the commitment to intentional art and design.
Designed by the notable Spanish studio, Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura, Utamo brings art and technology into direct conversation.
The natural elements are designed specifically to invoke awe and a sense of romance.
In fact, as you pass through the door to the grand hall, the space gets narrower, until it finally bursts into the spectacular performance space.
With a total capacity of 2,600 people, Utamo will create a unique, intimate experience of any show.
The gem of Utamo is the amazing theater, which will offer guests immersive and innovative performances.
With cutting-edge technology integrated from the outset, Utamo allows performers to build digital enhancement as a core element of the show, as opposed to a last-minute add-on.
This hyper-personalization, unique tools, and multi-sensory elements will give guests a performance experience like never before, feeling as though they are also an integral part of the show.
The high-tech audiovisual systems make guests feel like part of the show.
Whether it is a musical performance, art exhibition, fashion show, or other performance, every artist that chooses Utamo as a venue will experience an elevated version of their typical work.
Like every other element of NEOM, Utamo has sustainability at its very core.
The construction method, which integrates sustainable development and forward-thinking techniques, will ensure minimal disruption to the natural scenery.
The addition of green space, through the garden promenade, as well as the majesty of the mountains should also leave guests in awe of Utamo’s natural beauty, not just the groundbreaking performances.
Complete with a complex of VIP lounges and top-tier restaurants, Utamo will be a performance venue unlike any other!
From the lush garden promenade and the surrounding mountains to the integrated technology and multi-sensory enhancement tools, the venue gives guests a technology-forward performance, without separating them from the natural beauty all around them.
It will be a truly innovative venue that art-lovers around the world will anxiously await!
11) NORLANA – THE WATERFRONT WELLNESS COMMUNITY
Wellness, top-rated sporting, and luxury come together with amazing synchrony in NEOM’s Norlana development.
This ultra-modern community, which runs along part of the coast of Gulf of Aqaba, encourages active living and sustainability.
With top-tier sport facilities and wellness resources, as well as luxurious residences and incredible views, you’ll never want to live anywhere else!
The best place where the luxurious, wellness-focused lifestyle comes to life is along Norlana’s promenade, which features open community gathering spaces and the gorgeous waters of the Gulf of Aqaba.
With a 120-berth marina, Norlana is destined to be a popular spot to dock for yachts and superyachts alike.
Designed by the notable architecture studio,10 Design, the marina’s design features several stacked blocks with cantilevers, designed to mimic the appearance of the mountains behind.
The marina allows for easy access in and out of the port, where residents and visitors can pop into Norlana to visit the world-class restaurants, facilities, and shopping locations.
The views from the gulf are also unparalleled, with gorgeous architecture, with waterfront hotels and homes brought to life by acclaimed designers.
There will be approximately 700 residences and 2 hotels in total.
The buildings will have thoughtful designs to complement the beautiful natural elements in Norlana, especially the mountains and the sea.
The harmony with the surrounding area, as well as the soft glow of the lights at night, allows for the perfect combination of architectural beauty and relaxation.
On the inside, you’ll find that these hotels and homes epitomize comfort, so you won’t be wanting for anything!
Sporting facilities for all different kinds of sports will also be a key element of Norlana!
Golfers will be in paradise with a beautiful 18-hole signature golf course, complemented by a clubhouse with top-tier technology to help you hone your game.
The course also brings the natural beauty of Norlana to the forefront, with a design that takes advantage of the mountain views, sand dunes, and rolling hills.
But golf isn’t the only sport on offer in Norlana!
There will also be a cutting-edge equestrian and polo center, as well as a beautiful tennis center and fitness facilities.
The location along the Gulf of Aqaba also creates incredible opportunities to practice water-based sports, such as sailing and diving.
With a foundation of technology, wellness, and relaxation, you’re bound to find your stride in Norlana.
If you’d rather watch sports, this is a great destination for you as well!
The world-class facilities will also host global equestrian events, tennis tournaments, football matches, and more!
As with the entire NEOM development, Norlana will have principles of sustainability integrated at the outset.
From the architecture and design to sustainable construction practices, Norlana will enhance the area’s natural beauty and ensure maximum preservation for the future generations.
For those seeking the best possible combination of technology, luxury living, and sporting experiences, Norlana is the perfect place to be!
12) AQUELLUM – A HIDDEN PARADISE IN THE MOUNTAINS
With Aquellum, NEOM is breaking all the rules of traditional architecture and construction.
This futuristic, luxury community will be concealed in the 450-meter-high mountain range off the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba.
The ambitious project offers a unique, subterranean community with integrated digital tools and luxe amenities to create a place like no other.
Plus, getting to Aquellum will be unlike visiting any other community in the world.
Visiting this breathtaking community, which is designed to inspire creative thinking, will be a journey of its own!
You’ll start on the world’s first floating marina, where you will board a special underwater vessel.
In this vessel, you’ll travel through a carefully constructed and concealed canal.
At the end of your journey, Aquellum is revealed, as though in a story book.
Guests will be awed by the “upside-down skyscraper” design, in which the building stretches downwards and the beautiful facades face inwards.
The entire community is not visible from the surface, but rather concealed in the mountains.
Despite its hidden character, Aquellum boasts amazing architecture, stretching 100-meters tall.
The one-of-a-kind design from the LAVA and Name Architecture Studios incorporates not only a stunning, open courtyard, but also luxury hotels, top-tier retail spaces, residential buildings, and “innovation hubs.”
The innovative spirit doesn’t stop there either.
Aquellum will also host a futuristic space called “The Generator,” which will be composed entirely of research labs that encourage visitors to interact with new, innovative ideas.
Aquellum truly embodies NEOM’s commitment to redefining luxury and challenging the boundaries of conventional thinking.
This futuristic community promises to stun its visitors and residents with its groundbreaking design, so they never think about architecture in the same way again.
If you’re in need of some inspiration or want to experience a destination unlike any other, Aquellum could be next on your list!
13) ZARDUN – ECOTOURISM AND LUXURY MEET IN NEOM
Imagine over 4 kilometers of protected, beautiful land, which allows visitors to explore it and experience it entirely sustainably.
This is the promise of Zardun, a sustainable, luxury tourism complex in the beauty of NEOM!
With Zardun, you don’t have to choose between luxury and conservation; you can have both!
Zardun will have three luxury boutique hotels for its guests, with 100 guest rooms and suites between them.
Each hotel will have a different theme, translated into its stunning architecture, which melds seamlessly into the natural environment.
One thing you don’t have to compromise on across the hotels: the amazing views.
All three have stunning vistas of the Gulf of Aqaba’s waters and the valley all around.
Guests will be elated by the luxurious accommodations and amenities available on site, with everything from top-tier restaurants and lounges to boutique shopping spots and world-class spas.
There are also beautiful pools around the property, which encourage guests to spend time outdoors.
Beyond that, there is a marvelous beach club and jetty that has even more views to offer and a relaxing ambiance.
For even more relaxation, try the on-site guided meditation or yoga classes!
In addition to this, guests will grow closer to nature during their stay at Zardun!
With an incredible experience center, featuring a 360 observation deck, visitors can learn about the area and its natural flora and wildlife.
Guests can even take part in the conservation efforts, further investing in the success of Zardun’s future.
And you’ll be inspired to do just that, once you experience the natural reserve up-close for yourself.
Get out into nature with a variety of specialty crafted activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, stargazing, and more!
It will truly be the perfect destination for tourists looking to honor NEOM’s natural beauty and contribute to its preservation, while enjoying an ultra-luxurious environment.
The work at Zardun not only provides a luxurious vacation experience, but also promises the local ecosystem back to its full glory, a mission everyone can get behind.
All this and more await you in Zardun!
14) XAYNOR – NEOM’S EXCLUSIVE, LUXURIOUS BEACH CLUB
If you think you’ve experienced a luxurious beach club before, forget all about it because Xaynor will be the new definition of exclusivity and luxury at the beach!
Xaynor is a private, members-only beachfront club, located between the glistening waters and perfect sands of the Gulf of Aqaba and its dramatic, rocky backdrop.
This beach resort redefines luxury with stunning architecture and unique amenities.
The design artfully blends into the natural surroundings, complementing their beauty.
As soon as you see it on the horizon, with its bold pillars, you’ll feel calmed.
This feeling only enhances as you walk through the welcome area, featuring a reflection pool with native flora.
From here, you can see the private walk down to the beaches and continue to explore Xaynor’s wonder.
All the interiors, from the guest rooms to the spa, are carefully designed to promote relaxation.
Once you set foot into Xaynor, you won’t want to leave! And that’s before you even reach the private amenities.
The entire property promotes relaxation, offers top-tier luxury, and gives members the opportunity to connect with one another, should they choose to do so.
The best part of the property is undoubtedly the wonderful, private beach.
As you descend to the shores, you’ll find comfortable beachside lounges and private pools sprinkled around.
As if that weren’t enough, there are other amazing amenities for members.
From the top-tier spa and wellness center to boutique shopping and curated activities to explore the landscape, Xaynor is a true paradise of a beach club!
When the sun goes down, Xaynor transforms into an exclusive night spot as well!
The property has an amazing, exclusive nightclub perfect for mingling with other members, dancing, or enjoying a drink!
With the wonderful blend of outdoor and indoor spaces, you’ll have an experience like never before and craft memories you won’t forget.
If you’re lucky enough to enter this secluded getaway, you’ll never want to go to another beach club again.
Xaynor truly elevates the beach club to a level of luxury and exclusivity never seen before!
NEOM: Visit the future
As you can see, NEOM exemplifies Saudi Arabia’s vision towards ultra-luxury tourism, environmental conservation, and sustainable living.
It is a multi-faceted project that will redefine the way we think about cities and how they contribute to the rest of the globe.
This project continues to evolve everyday, with constant progress going towards making this impressive vision a reality.
Make sure you’re keeping up with all NEOM news if you want to be among the first to experience everything NEOM has to offer.