The Camera Museum in Al Khobar opens on 8 May inside Taybeen Museum.
It is billed as Saudi Arabia’s first dedicated photography museum.
Highlights include an upside-down photo room.
Saudi Arabia’s first dedicated photography museum will open inside Taybeen Museum.
Saudi Arabia’s cultural scene continues to develop, and Al Khobar is welcoming a new attraction for photography fans. The Camera Museum in Al Khobar is set to open on 8 May inside Taybeen Museum in the Al Aziziyah district, offering a journey through the history of cameras, imaging technology and visual storytelling.
Billed as the first dedicated photography museum in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, the new space focuses entirely on the art, science and evolution of photography. The museum explores how cameras have shaped the way people document daily life, preserve memories and share stories across generations.
The Camera Museum has been created by collector and founder Majid Al Ghamdi, whose personal collection forms the foundation of the exhibition. What began as a private passion project has now grown into a full-scale cultural experience, bringing together rare cameras, historical archives and interactive installations under one roof.
Located within the much-loved Taybeen Museum, the Camera Museum has been designed as a time-travel experience. Visitors can follow the development of photography from its early beginnings to the digital systems used today. The exhibition looks at how fleeting moments are transformed into lasting memories, while also highlighting the technical advances that changed the way images are captured.
Inside, visitors will find a chronological timeline charting the evolution of photography and camera design. The collection includes vintage cameras, rare models, historical photo archives and hands-on zones where guests can take their own images using smartphones or cameras. Interactive elements include an upside-down photo room, designed to add a playful, shareable element to the museum experience.
One section will also highlight Saudi Arabia’s Saher traffic camera system, connecting traditional photography with modern digital imaging and automated surveillance technology. This contrast shows how photography has evolved from artistic expression into part of wider technological infrastructure.
The opening of the Camera Museum at Taybeen Museum adds another cultural reason to visit Al Khobar. With its mix of nostalgia, innovation and interactive displays, the museum offers a fresh lens through which to explore the story of photography in Saudi Arabia.
Where: Taybeen Museum, Al Aziziyah, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
When: Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm
Contact: www.altaybeen.com