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CULTURE & HERITAGE

How to embrace Riyadh's culture and heritage

There’s probably no nation out there reinventing itself as profoundly as Saudi is right now. At the centre is its vibrant capital, Riyadh, which has enough museums, sights and attractions, events, restaurants and cafes to satisfy even the most demanding visitor...

Saudi is a land of contrasts, with sweeping sands, mountain ranges, valleys, volcanoes and more.

Nowhere is change more apparent here than in its forward-thinking cities rising up from its desert plateaus. Leading the charge is Saudi’s capital, Riyadh…

Sophisticated space-age capital Riyadh has lots of rich cultural and heritage offerings, from traditional and modern music festivals to historic villages, ancient sites, fascinating museums, galleries, souqs and cuisines to explore. Saudi is currently ramping up its touristic offerings on an unprecedented scale, with billions being spent on infrastructure, so you’ll be certain to stumble upon some of the most state-of-the-art, world class visitor attractions out there.

Immerse yourself in one of its festivals

Saudis love to party as they have so many festivals, both traditional and modern. Some of the older festivals date back thousands of years. Amongst the most significant is the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Ar Rumahiyah north of Riyadh. Held throughout December and January, thousands of locals come together to celebrate all things camel, from beauty competitions to auctions and giant markets. The Riyadh Spring Festival is another large event celebrating spring and nature. There are flower and agricultural displays that showcase around a million flowers in total. In recent times an increasing number of new, modern festivals have emerged, such as the Diriyah Urban festival held on the outskirts of Riyadh, which features the likes of breakdancing, parkour, skateboarding and BMX Freestyle. One of the capital’s largest festivals is Riyadh Season from October to March each year, an epic roster of musical events, the theme park-style Boulevard World and cultural showpieces telling Saudi’s story, from its Najdi heritage to the modern day.

Embrace the city’s café culture

Coffee has been a central part of Saudi society since the 15th century and has always had special significance in a deeply Islamic country where alcohol is prohibited. However, in the last decade cafe culture has really taken off. It’s been spearheaded by the young who make up the majority of the population; two thirds of Saudis are under 30. Indeed, there are now more than 3,500 branded coffee outlets in Saudi, by far the largest number in the Middle East. The kind of coffee served has changed too: instead of the traditional cardamom-infused Arabic coffee accompanied by dates, more international flat whites and cappuccinos have become popular.

Visit Riyadh’s eclectic museums

Riyadh has a host of museums, with some exciting additions in the pipeline. The top one to visit is the Saudi National Museum. Housed in a thoroughly modern building, it covers art, culture and history from prehistoric Arabia to today, and includes Neolithic rock art, replicas of historic buildings, artefacts and interactive exhibits. The Antiquities Museum at King Saud University is a real treasure trove of ancient items discovered at important Saudi archaeological sites. Exhibits include coins, frescoes, human, horse and dolphin statuettes, jewellery and a wooden coffin from 3BC-3AD. Saqr Al-Jazeera Aviation Museum explores the history of the country’s aviation journey, which started in 1920 and the Royal Saudi Air Force. It has audio-visual installations, model aeroplanes, historical documents and more. Al Faisal Arabic and Islamic Arts Museum features stunning examples of Arab-Islamic art, such as ancient manuscripts, fine arts, crafts, pottery and textiles.

Watch an auction at Souq-al-Zal, Saudi style

Riyadh has several souqs, and Souq-al-Zal in the Diriyah neighbourhood is the oldest and biggest in the city. Selling antiques, textiles, incense, leather items, handwoven carpets, coffee pots, swords, silverware, musical instruments, coins and more. Dating from 1901, the market has characterful features including tiled walkways and historic buildings. It really comes alive at its twice daily auctions, with frantic calls of buyers and sellers amongst the sizeable audiences. The first auction takes place after the afternoon prayer (Salat al-Asr), and the second after the evening prayer (Salat al-Maghrib). Make you sure you also pay a visit to Souq Al-Thumairi, another souq in Diriyah that is well known for its hordes of antiques.

See where it all began for Saudi in Diriyah

Just a 15-minute drive from the heart of Riyadh is the birthplace of Saudi, the historic town of Diriyah. Founded in the 15th century, it was the original home of the House of Saud. It became the capital in 1745, and in 2010 its centre, the site of At-Turaif, was designated a UNESCO Heritage Site. It is now undergoing a $60 billion project to install visitor and cultural attractions onto a 14-kilometre site including museums, galleries, Saudi and international restaurants, more than 400 shops and more than 100 bazaars and souqs. There will be six parks with walking and cycling trails too. Events are being programmed, including pop concerts and sports fixtures and initial phases of the development have opened, including restaurants and the At-Turaif World Heritage Site, featuring galleries and museums charting Diriyah’s history.

Enjoy traditional food at Najd village

Najd, which means ‘highland’, is Saudi’s central province, an isolated desert area with restricted ingredients available, and where a cuisine centring around rice, milk, wheat, vegetables, meats and dates evolved. However, the resulting salads, soups, puddings and rich stews are tasty. The long-established Najd Village restaurants, with three locations in Riyadh, are a great place to experience the food in traditional surroundings, with carpeted courtyard garden seating and Arabic artefacts. Loved by both locals and tourists alike, highlights of the menu include hashi (baby camel), Kabsa (rice and meat) and Jareesh, a porridge made with wheat, meat, tomatoes and caramelised onions.

Spend a day in the desert like a Bedouin

In a gigantic country largely made up of desert, there are more opportunities than anywhere else in the world to find your inner Bedouin. However, a good bet if you’re based in Riyadh is the Thumama desert. Easily accessible on Highway 550, the Al Janadriyah Road, just a 30-minute drive north of Riyadh city centre, Thumama (also known as Al Thumamah) boasts large expanses of sand dunes ideal for dune buggies, quad bikes or SUVs. It’s invigorating plunging down the dunes and taking in the beautiful views and captivating sunsets. Numerous rental companies are by the roadside and there are even small bikes available for children to use safely.

Visit during Ramadan

The city really comes alive during the holy month of Ramadan. Although mostly tranquil during the day – as locals will be fasting from dawn until dusk – by night it can get very lively indeed. The streets may be full of families in celebratory mood, with busy restaurants, beautiful lanterns, the smell of incense, the sound of prayers. Indeed, to accommodate all this, opening hours are extended so markets and malls will be busier. During this month it is especially important to dress modestly and to avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours.

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. 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.