Best Things To Do In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Having only recently opened its borders to international tourism, by issuing its first tourist visa in 2019, I decided give Saudi Arabia a try and see what they had to offer. With the new crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in charge, the country has set itself on a road to diversify its economy through (among other things) increasing tourism. After having discovered Jeddah and all the things that you can do there, I took a domestic flight to the capital of Riyadh! Below you will find the best things that I found that you could do in Riyadh after having spent 3 full days in the capital.

A very brief history of Riyadh

Originally a small oasis town, Riyadh became prominent in the mid-18th century when the Al Saud family (current ruling family), led by Muhammad ibn Saud, established the First Saudi State with Diriyah as its capital. After the fall of Diriyah to the Ottoman empire in 1818, the Al Saud family faced several challenges, but under the leadership of Abdulaziz Al Saud, they recaptured Riyadh in 1902, marking the beginning of the modern Saudi state. Riyadh’s strategic location, due to its central location on several trading routes, and symbolic importance led to its designation as the capital when the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was officially established in 1932 uniting several regions on the Arabian Peninsula. Since then, largely due to the discovery of oil in the 1930s, Riyadh has grown into a major political, economic, and cultural center of the Kingdom.

1. Explore Al Masmak Fortress

Al Masmak Fortress is a 19th-century clay and mud-brick fort that lies in the South of Riyadh, and the fortress has played a crucial role in the Kingdom’s history. It was here that King Abdulaziz captured Riyadh in 1902, marking the beginning of the modern Saudi state. Today, Al Masmak Fortress has been converted into a museum, showcasing artifacts, photographs, and exhibitions that tell the story of the kingdom’s formation and heritage. Overall the Fortress is in good condition and is beautifully lit up during the night and is well worth a visit. Even if you are not much for museums, the fortress is beautifully lit up at night time, which makes a good spot to snap some photos. Also, the surrounding area around the fortress comes to life after the sun has set, with a great variety of markets and stores selling local goods for affordable prices.

2. Wander through Diriyah

Diriyah, located on the outskirts of Riyadh, is a historic area, know as the birthplace of the Saudi state and the original home of the Saudi royal family. The heart of Diriyah is the Al-Turaif District, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring mud-brick buildings and palaces dating back to the 15th century. These structures showcase traditional Najdi (the historic and central part of Saudi Arabia) architecture and tell the story of Diriyah as the political and religious capital of the First Saudi State. As a part of the Saudi Arabia’s plan to attract more tourist, the area is undergoing extensive restoration to preserve its historical buildings and monuments.

Entry costs 50 SAR (14 $) which you can send in all the cafes and restaurants located on Bujairi Terrace (see next place on the list). However, do note that the Diriyah might not always be open even though it says so on the internet! I recently arrived there openly to discover that the place was closed that day due to some Saudi sword performances open to guests only! This is of course very frustrating if you have planned to see the it and have limited amount of time in Riyadh. To avoid my situation, make sure to call ahead and assure that the site actually is open on the day that you want to visit.

3. Bujairi Terrace

Right beside the Diriyah lies the newly built Bujairi Terrace, which is a beautiful and upscale dining area. Here you will find a large variety of cafes, restaurants and boutique shops overlooking the This area is part of the larger Diriyah development project aimed at preserving and revitalizing the historic city. Bujairi Terrace offers visitors a blend of modern and traditional experiences, featuring a variety of restaurants, cafes, and boutique shops that overlook the Wadi Hanifa (seasonal river) and the mud wall surrounding the Diriyah. But be aware, it is certainly not the cheapeat place in Riyadh. I bought a cappuccino (in a take-away cup) there for a ridiculous 8$. As mentioned above, the entrance fee in the evenings is 50 SAR and it gives access to the Diriyah. You can also spend your 50 SAR at one of the restaurants or cafes.

4. Kingdom Center SkyBridge

The Kingdom Centre Skybridge is a popular attraction in Riyadh and one I can highly recommend. Located at the top of the Kingdom Centre, one of the city’s most iconic skyscrapers, the Skybridge offers breathtaking panoramic views of Riyadh. The Kingdom Centre itself stands 99 stories tall and is a striking architectural landmark.

The Skybridge, which sits at a height of 300 meters, spans the top of the building and gives you a nice vantage point to overlook the city. As with much in Saudi Arabia, the price is pretty hefty at 70 SAR (18$) for a simple lift to the top via high-speed elevators, but the view from above is worth it!

5. Go Shopping

If there is one thing that Riyadh and Saudi Arabia, has an abundance of except sand and oil, it’s shopping malls! Saudis love to go shopping especially luxury shopping and they have every high-end brand you possibly can imagine!

However, as a European I found the prices for international brands to be a lot more expensive than back home, which led me to not do much shopping in Saudi Arabia overall.

Anyways shopping malls in Saudi Arabia provide a good escape from the hot summer temperatures and usually have also some good food courts. However, apart from the luxury malls located in Al Olaya district, there are malls and local brands that are open for more ordinary people. Here are some of the best places to shop in Riyadh:

Kingdom Centre

One of Riyadh’s most iconic landmarks is the Kingdom Centre Tower, renowned for its unique architecture. At the entrance level, the building features a three-level luxury shopping mall exclusively filled with high-end brands and also houses the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel.

Al Faisaliah Mall

Located in the Al Faisaliah Tower, another of Riyadh’s architectural landmarks, this mall offers an array of luxury brands, fashion stores, and gourmet dining options.

Also: The Al Faisaliah Tower, also has an observation deck with breathtaking views of the city.

Riyadh Gallery Mall

A popular family destination, Riyadh Gallery Mall features a variety of stores ranging from mid-range to luxury brands. The mall also has a large food court, entertainment zones, and indoor play areas for children.

Granada Center

One of the largest shopping malls in Riyadh, Granada Center offers a mix of local and international brands. It has a hypermarket, electronics stores, fashion boutiques, and a wide range of dining options.

Souq Al Zal

One of my favorite shopping experiences in Riyadh and the whole of Saudi Arabia was the Souq Al Zal area which offers a more traditional shopping experience. Souq Al Zal gives you a feel for the local culture with its array of traditional goods, including spices, carpets, antiques, and handicrafts. The atmosphere is lively and here you have the opportunity to purchase som unique souvenirs.

6. King Abdullah Park

A favorite park among the locals in Riyadh is the King Abdullah Park located in Al-Malaz district of Riyadh. It is known for its beautifully landscaped gardens and family-friendly atmosphere. As with most things in Saudi Arabia, night time is when everything comes to life, having avoided the daytime heat..One of its main attractions is the large musical fountain, which shows off some impressive water and light shows set to music. Furthermore, the park offers a lot of green spaces and well-maintained gardens which makes it a perfect spot for picnics, leisurely strolls, and relaxation. For the kids there are various playgrounds and at there a variety of cafes and food stalls so you don’t need to bring your own food.

7. Boulevard City

Since the launch of the 2030 vision and efforts made to modernize Saudi Arabia, the modern entertainment complex known as Boulevard Riyadh City opened in Riyadh. The entrance of the park is supposed to resemble Times Square in New York City filled with screens, showcasing Lightshows as well as advertising. Boulevard city is all about entertainment and here you will find theaters, concert stages, an amusement park, and performance spaces hosting an array of live shows, concerts, and events through out the year. I was lucky the catch a pre-fight show of the boxing match Fury vs Usyk, which fun to watch. The entrance is free and the park opens at 16:00 and closes a 04:00 in the morning! The whole park is pretty darn impressive considering the fact they even had a ban on cinemas as recent as in 2017!

7. Boulevard World

Another entertainment park located just a stone throws away from Boulevard City is Boulevard World. This area is designed to showcase different cultures and regions from around the world through themed zones. Each zone represents a specific country or region, featuring authentic architecture, cuisine, music, and performances. Some of the countries that are featured at Boulevard World includes France, USA, Italy and Japan. Boulevard World is yet another example of efforts being made by the current King to open the country up to tourism. Do note however that the park is open seasonally from October to April and closed for the remainder of the year and just as with Diriyah, the accurate opening hours are not fully reflected on Google. This left me again very disappointed since I could not visit the park that I had heard so much about. Be sure to check multiple sources before you go to ensure the park is open.

8. King Abdulaziz Historical Center

If you are into the history of Riyadh and Saudi Arabia then the King Abdulaziz Historical Center is a place that you have to visit. The King Abdulaziz Historical Center is a large cultural complex that includes the National Museum, Murabba Palace, and several other museums and gardens. It provides a deep dive into the history and culture of Saudi Arabia. Here you can explore the exhibits, enjoy the beautifully landscaped gardens, and learn about the life and achievements of King Abdulaziz, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia and its Islamic Heritage. Furthermore, the Murabba Palace, once a residence of King Abdulaziz, has been meticulously restored and provides visitors with a glimpse into the royal lifestyle and the early days of the Saudi state.

Further Reading

Where To Eat In Riyad

No visit to Riyadh is complete without sampling some of its local cuisine. As have mentioned before from my trip to Iraqi Kurdistan, the middle eastern food can get a bit boring after more than a week traveling, with a majority of dishes being either kebab or chicken with rice, and Saudi Arabia is no different in my opinion.

However if it’s your first time in the region you will most likely not have been caught by (what I call) the middle-eastern-food-fatigue yet and should check out some of their more traditional dishes! The more popular Saudi dishes include Kabsa, Mandi, and Jareesh! The following restaurants are worth checking out when in Riyadh:

Najd Village

Known for its authentic Najdi cuisine, Najd Village is a chain of restaurants offering a dining experience that transports you to a traditional Saudi village. The restaurant features floor seating, traditional decor, and a menu that includes dishes like Jareesh, Margoog, and Matazeez. The food is also reasonably priced so it won’t break the bank.

Aseeb Najd

Aseeb Najd provides a genuine Saudi dining experience in a beautiful setting with an Instagram-friendly interior. Here you will get the Saudi cuisine experience that you have been looking for, although at a higher price than Najd Village

The Globe

If you get tired of the Saudi cuisine and want to enjoy a European meal to a spectacular view, then look no further than to the Globe. Located in the Al Faisaliah Tower, The Globe offers a fine dining experience with panoramic views of Riyadh. The restaurant is situated in a glass-enclosed sphere, providing a unique setting. However, a dinner here does not come cheap and the restaurant has a minimum spend of 350 SAR ($100) per person.

Things to do Outside of Riyadh

Discover Edge of the World

When you have run out of things to do in Riyadh city center, checking out the so-called Edge of the World is a great option.

Officially its known as Jebel Fihrayn, and it is part of the Tuwaiq Escarpment. The area is known for its striking geological formations and the feeling of being at the edge of an endless horizon, hence the name “Edge of the World.” Furthermore, the site offers stunning panoramic views and is a favorite spot for hiking, picnics, and watching sunsets.

The Edge of the World is located about 90 kilometers northwest of Riyadh and can be reached by a roughly 1.5-hour drive from the city.

Heet Cave

Heet Cave, also known as Ain Heet Cave, is a another great day trip option and a fascinating natural wonder located about 30 kilometers southeast of Riyadh. Situated at the base of the Al Kharj mountains, this cave is renowned for its crystal-clear underground lake and unique geological formations. To reach the lake, you need descend through a narrow opening and navigate through a rocky passages down to the lake. It’s quite steep some be careful not to slip!