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CULTURE & HERITAGE

The best museums to visit in Saudi

Explore every era of Islam’s illustrious history, the pre-historic heritage of the Arabian Peninsula and the modern development of the Gulf at these Saudi museums.

Words by SJ Armstrong

For more than 130,000 years, humans have hewn homes from the arid dunes of the Arabian Peninsula. Vestiges of prehistory mingle with the distinguished fortresses of the Ottoman Empire, as well as with the sacred sites conserved in the Hijaz.

History teems from the teetering old town homes of Jeddah, from the sacred passageways that carried millennia of travellers along the caravan trail to Mecca, and from the oasis villages preserved and reconstructed in Saudi’s diverse museums. Visit to look back at how the Kingdom came to claim its global significance or learn about its technology-led launch into the future.

The National Museum of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh

Each of the National Museum’s eight halls takes travellers through a different era of Saudi history. Learn about the modern heritage of the House of Saud and the unification of the Peninsular tribes. Delve into the earliest eras of Islam and its extricability from the Hijaz by exploring exhibitions centred on the Prophet and the Arabian kingdoms that inherited his empire. Wander through pre-industrialised Arabia in reconstructed walkways and experience tribal life over the centuries with displays centred on the culture of the everyday inhabitants of the peninsula. The comprehensive complex of exhibits spans thousands of years of Arabian history, the perfect introduction for newcomers to the region.

King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, Ithra, Dhahran

Undulating surreally from the semi-arid earth, the smooth contours of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture were modelled after pebbles. A futuristic take on prehistoric topography, the Norwegian architecture firm that spearheaded the project designed each ‘pebble’ to be unique, reflective of the museum’s contents. Its interior is also immaculately designed, with spangled domed ceilings adding a modernist curve to its historic museum displays. Spanning exhibitions from contemporary art to Islamic heritage to natural history, the centre endeavours to showcase Arabia’s cultural life and history. The centre also houses an auditorium, an expansive library, an exhibition hall and a cinema.

Tayebat Museum, Jeddah

A seaside city popularised millennia ago as the pilgrim’s port, for its proximity to Mecca and Medina, Jeddah’s history spans more than 2,500 years. Influenced by Somalia and Ethiopia to the west, Yemen to the south, the Levant to the north, Jeddah’s architecture and blended cultural heritage differ significantly from the rest of the Peninsula. Tayebat Museum celebrates the city’s unique offering. A complex made up of twelve 19th century style buildings, the museum teaches travellers about the traditional techniques and styles of centuries of homemakers. Visit the museum during the heat of the day (it’s air conditioned inside) before heading on an architecturally inspired tour of the historic Al Balad district later in the day when the heat starts to cool off.

Dar al Medina Museum, Medina

Birthplace of the Prophet Mohammad and site of the Mosque of the Prophet, Medina is the second most sacred city in Islam. Its history is mapped out at Dar al Medina Museum, its traditional villages and significant sites reconstructed as dioramas. Take a tour with an expert guide to learn about the region’s heritage and its essential position at the heart of Islamic history, as well as about the story of Medina itself and of the Prophet’s hijrah to Medina. Unveiled through exhibitions of traditional dress, calligraphy and art, the museum teaches travellers about Saudi’s central role in Islam’s most important era.

Al Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art, Riyadh 

Tracking 1,400 years of history through Islamic art, weaponry, carvings and coins, visitors to the Al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art can learn about the expansive history of the once globe-spanning empire. Persian textiles and ceramics are displayed alongside weapons seized in southern Europe, joining Andalusian artworks and primitive medical tools utilised in early Arabia. Their collection of historic coins spans the Islamic world at its height, with gold dinar minted in Spain, Syria, Egypt and Mecca on display. Alongside the displays of Arab-Islamic artworks, the museum pays homage to the life of King Faisal, the Saudi royal assassinated in the 1970s.

Al Sharif Museum, Taif

An expansive display of traditional Arabian wares hidden in the sleepy mountains of Taif, this sprawling exhibition is designed to give visitors an insight into day-to-day life in the historic peninsula. The artefacts on show have been carefully arranged to mimic an Arabian home from centuries past, made up of furnishings, artworks and ornaments typically found in the region. Visit to catch exhibits of ceremonial weaponry or of the garb traditionally donned by Saudi women in different eras of the country’s history. Craftsmen also work on the site, with woodworkers, tailors and sculptors supplying the on-site store with unique souvenirs.

It is such an exciting time to visit the country. Major new projects like the King Abdullah financial district in Riyadh, the Red Sea Project, the Jeddah Metro, and the building of the world’s first smart city, Neom, are all underway. Come and dance at the Middle East’s biggest annual rave, Soundstorm – yes, you just read that right; it takes place in Riyadh from 14-16 December 2023 this year. You will very likely be surprised by what you find on a trip to Saudi.

Hejaz Railway Museum, Medina

From 1908-1920, one train route connected a significant portion of the Ottoman world. The Hejaz Railway carried travellers from the cobbled alleys of Damascus to the sloping streets of Amman, on to the Roman ruins of Busra to the stone towers of Nablus. The route culminated in Medina; a line intended to carry travellers from the capital in Istanbul to the pilgrimage sites of the Hijaz. The plan was scuppered by the outbreak of World War I and made impossible by the political turbulence that plagued the region in subsequent years. The Hejaz Railway Museum offers travellers an insight into what might have been.

Tabuk Castle, Tabuk

Though renovated on multiple occasions, with most of the current structure originating in the 16th century, a castle has underlaid the foundations of modern Tabuk Castle for hundreds of years. Given a passing mention in the Quran and by the worldly medieval traveller Ibn Battuta, the castle’s location in Tabuk played a prominent role in the Prophet’s battle against the Byzantines in the 7th century. The castle today, reconstructed by the Ottomans, serves as a museum, informing visitors about Tabuk’s prominent role in Islamic history and central point on the camel caravan route to the Levant.

Scitech Technology Center, Dammam

Get hands-on with the science and technology displays on offer at the Scitech Technology Center, located on the North Corniche Road in Al-Khobar, Dammam, where interactive displays are designed to engage visitors of all ages. They focus on teaching guests about space and technology as well as the earth and seas, enhancing typical science displays with futuristic ambition. Observe the mottled surface of the moon from the astronomical observatory’s powerful telescope or identify the critters of the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf in the on-site aquarium. Check the schedule before you go — the centre regularly hosts informative films in their in-house Imax cinema, in addition to workshops, lectures and one-off exhibitions.

Practical information

Visas

It’s surprisingly simple and easy to get an e-Visa for Saudi and the process is very similar to applying for an ESTA for the USA. Over 50 nationalities are eligible to apply for an e-Visa, including people from the UK and USA, with it costing (at the time of writing) 535 Saudi riyals (about £115 or US$143). Applications are swift and nearly all applicants will receive a response within three working days – most within 24 hours. To apply for your Saudi e-Visa, visit the official Saudi Tourism Authority website. If you’re from the USA, UK or the Schengen Area, you can also apply for a visa on arrival into Saudi. It’s slightly cheaper than an e-Visa, too, at SAR480 (about £102 or US$128).

Getting there & around

With plenty of direct flight links from the UK to Saudi, it’s really easy to get to the country. Saudi’s national airline SAUDIA flies to Riyadh three times daily from London Heathrow, while British Airways also offers a regular service from Heathrow with daily flights to the capital. SAUDIA also operates twice daily flights to Jeddah from London Heathrow and daily flights from London Gatwick. If you’re travelling from the US, SAUDIA offers direct flights to Riyadh from both New York City and Washington, D.C., as well as direct flights to Jeddah from New York City, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.

Local customs

To really embrace Saudi life and pay respect towards its traditions, there are a few local customs you should abide when travelling around the country. Both men and women should wear clothing that covers their elbows and below their knees when out in public. If you’re heading to the coast, it’s still expected you dress modestly. When meeting and greeting locals, whether it’s a market stallholder or a private guide, say hello with ‘salam alaykum’, which means ‘peace be upon you’, as well as offering a handshake.

Weather

You might think it’s hot all year round in Saudi but it’s a little more nuanced than that. The best time to visit the country is between October and March, when temperatures can dip as low as 20°C during the daytime, depending on where in the country you are, and rarely exceed 30°C. The summer months between June and September can get extremely hot, with temperatures often north of 40°C. But, do as the locals do and head out after dusk when it’s much cooler!

FAQ

Is English spoken in Saudi?

Arabic is the official national language but English is widely spoken.

What is the currency of Saudi?

The currency of Saudi is the riyal, with the current rate (at the time of writing), around SAR4.76 to the UK£. You’ll need to pre-order money before you travel, as in the UK it’s not usually stocked in currency exchange booths.

What’s it like travelling in Saudi as a female?

We think you’d be surprised! To find out more, read our first-hand account on what it’s like to travel in Saudi.

What’s the time difference in Saudi?

Saudi follows Arabia Standard Time (GMT +3) all year round.