Paid Promotion

CITIES

Explore the highlights of Riyadh

From a spectacular World Heritage site to lush urban spaces and a little-known local cuisine, Riyadh’s array of attractions might surprise you...

Nestling at the centre of Saudi’s vast desert heartland, historically known as Najd, Riyadh wasn’t officially declared the nation’s capital until 1932.

Yet Riyadh’s rich history stretches much further back in time…

From the mesmerising ruins of UNESCO-listed At-Turaif to the impressive fortification known as the Al Masmak Palace, Riyadh’s historical relics offer a fascinating window into the region’s past, while an ever-expanding suite of modern attractions, from innovative culinary experiences to sky-high viewpoints, provide a tantalising taste of its future. Here are just 10 unmissable highlights to add to your Riyadh itinerary.

Go on a tour of At-Turaif and Diriyah

Just 20km northwest of Riyadh’s city centre, Diriyah was the first capital of the Saudi Dynasty. Founded in the 15th century, it bears witness to the distinctive Najdi architectural style, specific to the centre of the Arabian Peninsula. After being sacked by the Ottomans in 1818, Diriyah was abandoned in favour of Riyadh and left deserted until 2000, when a major restoration project led to the precinct’s partial reopening as a world-class tourist attraction in 2019.

At the heart of the precinct is the citadel of At-Turaif, which in the 18th and the early 19th centuries became the centre of the temporal power of the House of Saud and the spread of the Islamic reform movement in Arabia. Its UNESCO-listed maze of mudbrick buildings include two former palaces sensitively converted into museums: Salwa Palace is home to the Diriyah Museum which tells the story of the first Saudi state, while the Imam Abdullah bin Saud Palace is now the Social Life Museum, which recreates a traditional Najdi house furnished with artefacts showcasing the daily activities and traditions of the early Najdi people.

Opposite At-Turaif, Bujairi Terrace is a premium dining destination, its evocative urban design inspired by Najdi architecture. Other Diriyah highlights include a pocket of the verdant Wadi Hanifa oasis, with planned additions to the precinct including an art district, souks and more.

Discover the Al Masmak Palace

Rising up from the Al Dirah neighbourhood in Riyadh’s southern suburbs, the magnificent 14-century clay fortress known as the Al Masmak Palace played a pivotal role in the nation’s history – the Battle of Riyadh (1902), which culminated in 1932 in the unification of the modern state of Saudi, took place within its walls. Later used for storing weapons and ammunitions, the fortress was transformed into a museum in the 1990s; its canons and displays of historical photographs offering intriguing insights into Saudi’s history. The fortress is a great starting point to explore the area and it’s an easy walk to Souq Al-Zal.

Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Riyadh

Gaze out across the Saudi capital from one of two high-rise viewing platforms. Famous for being the first skyscraper to be built in Saudi (in 2000), the pointed Al Faisaliah Tower designed by the UK’s Foster + Partners – the same architecture firm behind The Shard in London – has an observation deck 200m above ground level with panoramic views of the city. On the same block, three kilometres south, the newer Kingdom Centre’s enclosed SkyDeck offers similarly spectacular views from a whopping 300m above the city streets. The best time to visit both is in the late afternoon, when Riyadh twinkles in the golden light of dusk.

Stand on the Edge of the World

Locally known as Jebel Fihrayn, the dramatic cliffs of the Tuwaiq Escarpment, 100 kilometres northwest of Riyadh, drop down a staggering 300 metres into an ancient ocean bed. Standing on the edge is a surreal experience, amplified by the changing colours of sunset – the most popular time to visit. Half the fun of visiting is the hair-raising trip out here, as the last 30 kilometres of the journey is off-road. With no tourism facilities currently available out here in the desert, it’s best to visit with a local or tour guide who knows the way. Keep your eye out for marine fossils as you trace the cliffs.

Explore the National Museum and the Murabba Palace

Travel through time from the prehistoric era to the modern day at the high-tech Saudi National Museum. Its eight galleries include the fascinating Pre-Islamic Era Gallery, which charts the religious and social patterns of life before Islam in the region, while the Kingdom Unification Gallery features an interesting documentary about the history of unification of Saudi. Right next door, the Murabba Palace, built in the 1930s in the Nadji style, is the former home of Saudi’s founder, Ibn Saud. Daily tours offer an opportunity to imagine what it must have been like to live within the palace’s high mudbrick walls; some of its 32 rooms now showcasing a collection of Ibn Saud’s belongings and clothes, as well as pictures of the former king with his children and a number of world leaders.

Tuck into authentic local cuisine

Historically, Najd’s isolation, the vast central region in which Riyadh lies, was reflected in its peoples’ simple diet of rice, wheat, milk, dates, and a few vegetables. Influenced by trade within the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant and beyond over the centuries, the cuisine of Riyadh now combines a rich array of flavours.

Home cooking is the best way to experience Najdi food. The next best thing is visiting a traditional Saudi restaurant such as Suhail in Diyafa Plaza, which puts a refined twist on traditional dishes such as jareesh (a slow-cooked dish of cracked wheat, vegetables and laban or buttermilk), named by the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Culinary Arts Commission in 2023 as Saudi’s national dish.

Another Saudi restaurant popular with both visitors and locals is Najd Village, which has three locations around the city. Built in traditional Najdi architectural style, you can’t miss these atmospheric restaurants, where an array of traditional dishes designed to be shared are served the customary way, on the floor.

Find hidden treasures in Riyadh’s souks

Whether you’re after a handmade carpet or an antique dallah (Arabic coffee pot), Riyadh’s traditional souks are the places to find authentic Saudi souvenirs. Directly south of the Masmak Palace, shops in the small lanes of Souq Al Thumairi offer everything from decorative daggers to silver jewellery. Just around the corner, Souk Al Zal is known for its antiques, rare coins and vintage household utensils, but there’s plenty more to find in its incense-perfumed alleys. Uptown, the huge Taibah Souq is another popular traditional-style marketplace, where spices, thobes and abayas are sold alongside modern toys, household items and more.

Embark on a thrilling adventure into the undulating desert sand dunes surrounding Riyadh. There are a number of tour options to choose from, including exhilarating 4WD dune-bashing drives, quad bike tours, camel rides and even sandboarding experiences hosted at a variety of locations including the spectacular Hidden Valley south of Riyadh, known for its red-hued dunes. Desert tours are typically hosted in the morning or evening to avoid the heat of the day.

Admire the architecture of the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD)

Marvel at a modern metropolis in the making on a self-guided walking tour of Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), where futuristic buildings rise from the Wadi, a lush public space inspired by the region’s desert valleys. Tucked below the soaring PIF tower, the Henning Larsen-designed giant fans of the district’s financial plaza, and the geometric KAFD Conference Center; the Grand Mosque is a particularly spectacular feat of contemporary architecture, its exterior inspired by the desert rose crystals found across the Arabian Peninsula.

Immerse in nature at Wadi Hanifah

Visiting this lush, ancient valley meandering alongside Riyadh’s western suburbs today, it’s difficult to believe that this urban oasis used to be a dumping ground for construction waste. Spectacularly redeveloped, Wadi Hanifa now incorporates 47 kilometres of walking trails immersed in verdant landscaping suited to the harsh desert environment, with benches and rest areas offering plenty of places to pause and enjoy this serene slice of nature. You’ll also find facilities including barbecues in Wadi Hanifa’s six parks, as well as interpretative signboards.

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 Riyadh, it’s really easy to get to the Saudi capital. 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. If you’re travelling from the US, SAUDIA offers direct flights to Riyadh from both New York City and Washington, D.C. The Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) operates several bus routes in the city, while taxis and ride-hailing apps like Uber and Careem offer even more flexible ways to navigate Riyadh. Due to launch in early 2024, the Riyadh Metro will transform the city’s public transport network further, with six Metro lines and 85 stations planned.

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 Riyadh is between October and March, when temperatures can dip as low as 20°C during the daytime and rarely exceed 30°C. Summer months in Riyadh can get extremely hot, with temperatures often above 40°C between June and September.

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.