Northwest of the city centre, at the edge of the commercial zone and 1km from the beach, is the city's historic area. The recently restored residence of TE Lawrence, who helped the Arabs defend Yanbu against the Turks in 1916, is the shining centerpiece of this small district. (Neighbouring structures, dating to the 19th century, are in extreme disrepair but are targeted for refurbishment.) A historic wall built in 1885 is also part of the neighbourhood's appeal.
