Riyadh

The surprising metropolis of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 

between history and modernity

Riyadh is a city that reveals itself slowly, alternating ancient places and futuristic neighborhoods, desert silence and large urban axes, traditional markets, mosques and panoramic towers. The capital of Saudi Arabia in the center of the Arabian Peninsula, it is today a rapidly changing metropolis, increasingly open to international tourism, but still deeply linked to its history.

To start discovering it, the first step is to visit the Al Masmak Palace, one of the most important symbols of the city built in the fourteenth century as a fortress and personal residence of Imam Abdullah bin Faisal now used as a museum. The al-Thumayrī Gate, its clay and mud walls, towers and interiors take us back to the origins of modern Riyadh and help to interpret the capital's role in the birth of the Saudi Kingdom. It is an essential visit to give depth to the trip, before discovering the most contemporary face of the city.

A short distance away, in the Al-Dirah district, the Souq Al Zal gives another atmosphere: that of the ancient traditional markets, where you can find carpets, oriental perfumes, incense, clothes, rare coins, handicrafts and products related to local culture. Here Riyadh retains a more intimate rhythm, made up of shops, details and daily gestures. It is an ideal stop for those who want to get closer to the city through its traditions, without limiting themselves to the most modern places.

In the heart of Riyadh, about a kilometer from the Government Palace, you can visit the typical Addoho district, near Wadi Hanifa, which preserves the traditional Najdi architecture dating back over 200 years with narrow alleys and houses surrounded by walls and palm tree oases. The neighborhood is home to traditional houses, a mosque, a restaurant, bars and shops. 

The route can continue in the Al Murabba district, near the Palace of King Abdulaziz, with the National Museum of Saudi Arabia, one of the most useful visits to understand the history of the Arabian Peninsula and the evolution of the Kingdom among statues, manuscripts and sculptures from prehistory to the modern age. The museum offers a broader reading of the territory, Saudi culture and the roots that still dialogue with the urban transformation of the capital.

Among the fundamental places to understand the historical identity of the country, a few kilometers from Riyadh there is also Diriyah, linked to the origins of the Saudi dynasty and the first capital of the kingdom, founded in 1446. Traditional Najdi architecture, archaeological sites, parks, museums, markets, restaurants and new visiting experiences make this area one of the most interesting in the capital. Diriyah has been recognized as a historical and cultural heritage site while the At-Turaif district has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its castles, mosques, the Salwa Palace from 1765 and buildings built with mud and palm trunks.

After the historic Riyadh, the gaze can rise towards the vertical city. The Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge is one of the most recognizable viewpoints in the capital and offers scenic views of the skyline. From the top of its 300 meters high (reachable by an elevator up to the 99th floor) you can perceive the scale of the metropolis: a wide, expanding city, crossed by new architecture and surrounded by the desert horizon. Not to be missed, the tallest mosque in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the King Abdullah Mosque, on the 77th floor and shopping at the Kingdom Center. Other interesting viewpoints of the city from above are, the Alfaisaliah Tower, the Al Anud Tower and the 170-meter-high Riyadh TV Tower.

The most contemporary face can also be found in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), a modern district that has become a symbol of the Riyadh skyline with the PIF Tower skyscraper, iconic buildings, offices, residences, restaurants, commercial spaces, the KAFD Grand Mosque designed by Omrania and inspired by the desert tower as well as leisure areas. It is an interesting area to observe international Riyadh, the one that looks at business, architecture and new ways of experiencing the city and is easily accessible via the KAFD Metro station designed by Zaha Hadid.

One of the most surprising aspects of the trip is the possibility of leaving the urban center and reaching natural landscapes of great visual strength. The Edge of the World is one of the most iconic hikes around the capital: a spectacular rock formation 1,131 meters high at the end of Tuwaik Mountain that opens onto a vast horizon about 100 km from Riyadh. After the roads, museums and towers, the desert completely changes the rhythm of the visit and gives a more essential and powerful image of Saudi Arabia where you can immerse yourself in exciting excursions up to climbing, to be practiced at dawn or sunset, better when the weather is milder between November and March.

The Riyadh North Geopark is also a geological landmark for nature lovers, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can see several sites such as the Abu Al-Salabikh cave with unique geological formations, natural waterholes, the village of Al-Bilad Al-Wusta, the fort of Al-Juraisi and the city of Thadiq (known as um Al-Madafi) right within the boundaries of the geopark.

Riyadh is also a city to watch as it changes. In view of Expo 2030, scheduled from October 2030 to March 2031 in an area north of the capital, near King Khalid International Airport (RUH), the city is accelerating its urban and tourist transformation. Among the most relevant projects is the Sports Boulevard, designed to make Riyadh greener and more livable through pedestrian paths, cycle paths, sports areas and outdoor spaces. Some sections, including the Promenade, Al-Rimal Sports Park and part of Wadi Hanifah, are already accessible, while the entire project is expected to be completed by 2029.

Also worth following is King Salman Park, a large urban space dedicated to cultural, sports and recreational activities, destined to become one of the main green lungs of the capital. These projects show a Riyadh open to building new, greener and more usable public spaces in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

To savor the local entertainment between shows and musical performances surrounded by dancing fountains, you can reach the Riyadh Boulevard full of entertainment destinations, tennis and golf courts, cinemas, the Benchmark and Rotana theaters, restaurants and shops. The visit to the city can end with shopping, which in Riyadh passes through two very different souls. On the one hand, there are the souqs, where you can look for traditional handicrafts, perfumes, textiles and objects but also modern traditional souqs such as the Souq Taibah, one of the oldest markets in Riyadh in a modern context; on the other hand, the luxurious shopping malls such as Riyadh Street or U Walk and the new urban districts, where the city shows its most cosmopolitan face, including boutiques, cafes, restaurants and leisure spaces.

Riyadh cuisine

The kitchen is also part of the experience. The capital offers contemporary restaurants and more traditional addresses, where you can taste Saudi dishes and specialties from the Arabian Peninsula. Among the proposals to try are preparations based on spiced basmati rice and meat such as kabsa made with chicken, roasted fish, hummus, jareesh (wheat and lamb porridge with spices), saleeg (white rice in chicken broth with roasted or boiled chicken), meat stew, local bread (thin ragag and paratha) and cheese. 

To accompany every breakfast, lunch and dinner there is no shortage of dates, Arabic coffee, qahwa coffee (roasted and ground with cardamom, flavored with saffron or cloves), fresh juices (hibiscus, orange, mango), camel milk and traditional desserts such as thareed (bread pudding) or kleicha (biscuit filled with dates). It is a concrete and pleasant way to complete the journey: after seeing the city from above, crossing its markets and touching the desert, Riyadh is also discovered at the table, in the scents and flavors of its hospitality.

Lyrics by Lisa Maria River

Avion Tourism Magazine

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Where to stay in Riyadh

Riyadh offers various possibilities for accommodation in facilities equipped with the best comforts.
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WHERE TO GO IN RIYADH
Riyadh tourist attractions

 

Al Masmak Palace

Al Masmak Palace stands in the center of Riyadh. It was built in the 14th century of the Islamic calendar during the reign of Imam Abdullah bin Faisal, as his personal residence, government and treasury center. With solid and high walls, it constituted an impassable fortress with two entrances and loopholes in the walls to insert the barrels of the rifles. Today the palace is a museum where you can admire the styles of the time and the rulers.

 

National Museum of Saudi Arabia

The National Museum of Saudi Arabia is located in the Al Murabba district of Riyadh, near the King Abdulaziz Palace. The museum houses statues, manuscripts and sculptures, telling the story of the earth and the universe, and that from prehistory to the modern age. There are several galleries dedicated to: ancient Arab kingdoms, pre-Islamic, mission of the Prophet, Hajj and the two sacred mosques Masjid Al-Haram and Masjid Al Nabawi. In addition, the museum organizes live events.

 

King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD)
The KAFD is an area dedicated to business and lifestyle, with avant-garde and sustainable architecture. It consists of 95 towers, a symbol of Riyadh's skyline. The Wadi, inspired by desert valleys, is outdoors with commercial activities. The Grand Mosque is inspired by the desert rose and has no pillars. The PIF Tower, 385 meters high with 80 floors, recalls the crystals of the desert. Also in the area are the Conference Center, Zaha Hadid's KAFD metro, and the Financial Plaza with offices and six tall towers.

 

Boulevard Riyadh City

Riyadh's entertainment center, Riyadh Boulevard offers several entertainment in one place. It is home to shops, restaurants, huge screens, dancing fountains, cosplay shows, musical performances, live theater shows at the Bakr Al-Sheddi Theater, and acrobatics at the Global Theater. In addition, a wax museum, tennis courts, golf courses, go-karts, snow-covered area for skiing, a cinema and musical evenings in the Benchmark and Rotana theaters.

 

Sky Bridge at Riyadh's Kingdom Center

An elevator takes you up to the 99th floor, where there is the Sky Bridge. Here, from a height of 300 meters, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Riyadh. On the 77th floor is the tallest mosque in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the King Abdullah Mosque. Don't miss shopping at the Kingdom Center.

 

Al Faisaliah Tower

Al Faisaliah Tower is the first skyscraper in Saudi Arabia and offers spectacular views of the city. To visit: the Globe restaurant; the La Brasserie restaurant; the Al Faisaliah Tower shopping mall and, in the basement of the tower, the children's amusement park.

 

Diriyah

Founded in 1446 AD, Diriyah is the historic city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It runs along the banks of Wadi Hanifah, northwest of Riyadh. Diriyah has been recognized as a historical and cultural heritage site and, since 2010, the At-Turaif district has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to museums, beautiful palaces such as the Salwa Palace, the Muhammad ibn Abd Al-Wahhab Mosque, mud brick houses and Najdi or Islamic architecture.

 

Edge of the World

Edge of the world is the 1,131-meter-high cliff 100 km from Riyadh, at the end of the Tuwaik mountain range that stretches for 800 km. Edge of the World is the ideal destination for climbing and hiking in a wilderness area of the Riyadh desert. You can reach the top and enjoy the views. You can admire Samar trees, acacias, vertical plants, snails and fossils of marine species testifying that the area was a marine habitat.

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Experiences

Kingdom Tower, Al Faisaliah Tower, Deira area and Souq Al Zal
 

Guided tour to Kingdom Tower and Sky Bridge with panoramic views of Riyadh. Visit of the Al Faisaliah Tower and the Deira area (Riyadh's Old Town), walk in the Government Square area and visit the Muaqiliyah market and the Souq Al Zal area, one of the oldest markets in Riyadh. Duration: 4 hours. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and full refund. Book the Tour to Kingdom Tower, Al Faisaliah Tower, Deira area and Souq Al Zal.

Diriyah

Guided tour to the northwest of Riyadh to visit the city of Diriyah, of great historical and architectural value. Highlights of the trip: At-Turaif, a World Heritage site, the historic district overlooking Wadi Hanifah and the Diriyah oasis; museums housed in Diriyah's historic buildings; traditional Najdi-style architecture; local markets; Diriyah parks; traditional cuisine in the restaurants of Bujairi Terrace; natural landscapes of Wadi Hanifah. Included: water and drink. Pickup with extra charge. Duration: 3 hours. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and full refund. Book the Tour in Diriyah.

Edge of the World

Transportation by air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle and professional tour guide. Guided tour of the Edge of the World. Observation of: breathtaking cliffs, golden sunsets, starry skies and Saudi gazelle reserve in the Riyadh desert. Drinks and snacks included. Duration: 6.5 hours. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and full refund. Book the Edge of the World Tour.

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