things to do in Riyadh
that you must indulge in:The Kingdom Tower Centre
This massive tower is not just a place to get a great view, you can easily spend a day here and be thoroughly entertained. Almost 1000 feet in height (992 feet to be exact), this 99-storey structure is a mixed-use building that has so much to offer. There are retailers housing national and international luxury brands. There’s a luxury hotel, apartments, business centers, conference and wedding halls, and multi-cuisine restaurants. But one of the best features is the SkyBridge. Located at 213 feet, this bridge is where you must come to get the most sweeping, expansive views of Riyadh City.
Diriyah
Once the seat of the royal family, Diriyah today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its amazing clay brick homes. So, to see how people lived in the Middle Ages, you must come here. Another important place worth seeing here is the Diriyah Museum. This was once a palace but has now been transformed into a museum. The Al Zahra Mosque and the palm tree-lined river are other awesome places to see in Diriyah.
The National Museum of Saudi Arabia
Part of the King Abdulaziz Historical Centre, the National Museum is a massive museum that holds some of the most important text and artifacts on the history of Saudi Arabia. The whole museum is divided into different sections known as ‘Exhibition Halls’ and in total, there are 8 such halls. These halls cover various topics from prehistoric mankind, to the history of Saudi, to even the prophet Muhammad’s mission. A trip here will leave you amazed and rich with knowledge.
Murabba Palace
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Hands down one of the best places to visit in Riyadh is the Murabba Palace. This gorgeous mud brick palace, now a museum, is made from Najdi architecture incorporating geometric shapes. It was from here that King Abdulaziz began the expansion of Riyadh as the palace was built beyond the city limits. Murabba Palace is spread across almost 10,000 sq. mtrs. and is a part of the King Abdulaziz Historical Centre.
King Abdullah Park
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When one thinks of Riyadh, one thinks of the heat of the desert, but there’s a place in Riyadh that’s very cool thanks to 500,000 trees. The King Abdullah Park is spread across 80 acres and is one of the best spots for a walk, jog, or a family picnic. The park’s best features are the massive artificial lake and laser fountains that can shoot water 110 meters high. Whenever there is a joyous occasion in the city, King Abdullah Park becomes the center for celebrations.
The Riyadh Zoo
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This is one of the oldest zoos in the region as it first served as a private zoo for the Saudi royal family. However, its doors were opened to the public in 1987 and since then, it has also become a conservation zoo that also houses endangered animals. The Riyadh Zoo houses 1500+ animals of almost 200 different species in 55 acres of expansive and lush land. This is a great place for families who can enjoy the whole day and even have a picnic.
The Edge of the World
Located at the end of the Tuwaiq Mountain range, the Edge of the World is a cliff destination from where you can get the most stunning views. It is located a 2-to-3-hour drive away from Riyadh, and you can book this place as a part of your Riyadh tours. Edge of the World is a much-loved destination for hikers and other adventure enthusiasts because nowhere else in the world would you find such thrilling views and atmosphere. Be sure to carry food and water and be ready to walk a lot as this place is quite far from civilization. But it is totally worth it!
Desert Safari
Many tourists come here to experience the desert life and for them, desert safari tours Riyadh are highly recommended. In this, you get to experience activities like dune bashing, quad biking, henna tattoos, camel riding, and a whole lot more. In the end, you get to relax in an ‘Arsh’ and eat the most amazing full-course Arabian meal. You will feel like you are a king as you will experience amazing hospitality.
Saqer Al-Jazirah Aviation Museum
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Aviation enthusiasts, this is the place for you. The Saqer Al-Jazirah Aviation Museum in Riyadh, also known as the Royal Saudi Air Force Museum, is one of the foremost aviation museums in the country. It has amazing decommissioned planes on display that showcase the evolution of humanity’s flying capabilities. From amazing warplanes to commercial flight planes, you can see some wonderful models that you won’t get to see anywhere else.
Souq Al-Thumairi
If you are looking for a unique shopping experience, head to Souq Al-Thumairi. This is where all the locals come to shop and tourists come to be amazed. Apart from the usual fare of textiles, perfumes, jewelry, and clothes, this place is famous for its antique auctions. Yes, here you can bid and buy antique things like silver daggers, lamps, pots, jewelry boxes, and decorative pieces that are rare and valuable. You can leave with something unique for sure. Do try the dates and coffee in the market. They are delicious!
The Al Rajhi Mosque
The beautiful Al Rajhi Mosque is named after the successful Saudi businessman who funded the construction, Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Rajhi. It is the biggest mosque in Riyadh and there are many tours that you can take to explore its beauty, architecture, and history. In the guided tours, you can also learn about the history of Saudi Arabia and Islam. The tours can be quite enlightening and you are bound to enjoy the beauty of the mosque.
The Masmak Fort
The place where it all began, the Masmak Fort is where the Battle of Riyadh for the unification of Saudi Arabia was fought. Today, the mud-brick fortress has been converted into a museum where many wonderful relics are stored. Huge restoration works were done on the fortress to restore it to its original form before it became a museum. It is a great place to visit as it is an integral part of Saudi history.
Al Nakheel Mall
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Riyadh’s biggest mall is also a popular tourist destination. There is so much to do and see here that you can easily spend a whole day indulging in the most fun activities. If you have kids, you can take them to places like LEGO, Jump Beez, and Sparky’s. These are great places where kids can have a great time. For the adults, there’s Muvi Cinema where you can catch all the best movies. And of course, there’s shopping. Al Nakheel Mall has some of the best national and international brands, where you can even get the best discounts.
Riyadh Park
Another popular mall in Riyadh is the Riyadh Park. The mall sees high foot traffic, which exceeds 200,000 people every week. This is owing to the amazing luxury retail stores from top brands around the world. Riyadh Park is also home to Vox Cinemas, one of the biggest cinema brands in the world, and the Museum of Illusions. The Museum of Illusions is a fun destination suited to all ages. There are more than 80 illusions here that will blow your mind. The Inverted Room makes you feel like you are standing upside down on the ceiling, the True Mirror lets you see how others see you, and the Infinity Room is where you will see infinite versions of yourself. Riyadh Park is an absolute fun destination.
Wadi Hanifa
This 120-km-long nature reserve is one of the most stunning places in Saudi Arabia. It is completely green and will make you forget that you are in a desert country. Wadi Hanifa is also home to many migratory birds, so the best time to visit Riyadh is when these birds are here. Wadi Hanifa has many gardens, orchards, water channels, and a creek, where people can fish. The Stone Dam Park nearby is another great feature. Both these places together are ideal destinations for family audiences.
Riyadh is a marvelous place and now is the best time to visit Saudi Arabia as the weather is pleasant and the crowds are much less. Saudi Arabia is emerging as the next big holiday destination in the Middle East, so you should plan a vacation and enjoy its amazing offerings.
Here are some FAQs planning a Riyadh trip:
1. What is the best time to see Riyadh and its outdoor attractions?
From the month of November to March, the weather is pleasant, so it is the ideal time to see Riyadh and enjoy its outdoor attractions.
2. Are there any special visas for Saudi Arabia?
No. Just a normal Saudi Arabia tourist visa would be enough for you to enter Saudi Arabia and enjoy a vacation.
3. What clothes to wear in Riyadh?
Riyadh is a warm destination, so wear comfortable clothes, but ensure they cover your shoulders and go below the knees as Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country. So, dress modestly.
4. What is the ideal number of days to spend in Riyadh?
Saudi Arabia has many wonderful cities and attractions, so spending 3 to 4 days in Riyadh would give you enough to enjoy other cities as well.
5. How to travel around in Riyadh?
Riyadh has an excellent public and private transport system, so getting around is not that difficult. If you are a part of an organized tour, travel will be arranged in advance.
