Finally, I was on my way to Saudi Arabia, wondering what it had to offer to a non-Muslim visitor. The less I knew about Saudi the more I wanted to go. I was so excited and overwhelmed with the country’s landscape and with so many things to see in Riyadh (the capital city), starting from modern attractions and historical sites, all showcasing the country’s interesting culture.
What are top things to see in Riyadh?
My previous adventurous travels across the Middle East were highly encouraging – I still hold pictures of Oman’s kindness, exceptional food, characteristic landscapes and unique natural wonders (like Wadi – desert canyons).
Combing the streets of Riyadh was very safe, but sometimes crossing the street was challenging due to a lack of pavements 😉 Here is my Saudi experience with the top attractions and things to see in Riyadh!
Welcome to Saudi Arabia - مرحبا بكم في السعودية !
My recommendation for the two most beautiful places in Saudi Arabia are THE EDGE OF THE WORLD & BAT CAVE | TRIPADVISOR and EDGE OF THE WORLD HIKING ADVENTURE & SUNSET VIEWING.
My experience with Saudi Arabia was seriously amazing. You’ll be constantly in sightseeing mode thanks to Riyadh tourist attractions.
Saudi Arabia is not a popular tourist destination (Yet!) and online information was limited. Many would say the country doesn’t offer much of a travel experience, which is very untrue. Many would think it can be a challenging stay due to cultural and religious restrictions.
No need to worry – a huge number of restrictions were lifted in 2019, when Saudi Arabia decided to open up to the rest of the world and issued its first tourist visa.
Where is Riyadh?
Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia. It is located in the center of the country in Najd region, with 7.5 million population making it the largest city in Saudi. The city is well developed with very modern local transport but still limited network.
The traffic can be a nightmare, so renting a car is not recommended (driving is a little crazy too). Uber, along with green city cabs, is the safest and best option for city transportation.
Saudi people are extremely well-mannered, friendly and respectful. So try to give back same kindness. Bare in mind Saudis are unsure what to expect from the visitors and habits they are bringing in. The country only opened 4 years ago and it’s a massive cultural change to host such national diversity.
Check my COMPLETE TRAVEL GUIDE TO SAUDI ARABIA for plenty of travel advice and general information that includes:
* What to wear for a woman in Saudi Arabia.
* Transport and practical tips for getting around.
Best places to visit in Riyadh.
The Kingdom Centre Tower, standing at an impressive 302 meters, is one of the most recognized landmarks and one of the best places to visit in Riyadh for a few reasons:
- Breathtaking panoramic views of the city,
- Luxury interior of the skyscraper
- Adventurous souls can take the glass elevator to walk the sky bridge.
1. Kingdom Tower - the Sky Bridge!
Kingdom Tower – a breathtaking skyscraper design with corporate offices and a luxury shopping centre, is definitely among one of the most interesting things to see in Riyadh – you would need a triple platinum card to shop there 🙂
Well, maybe on the ground floor you’ll find some nice souvenirs at a local supermarket. You cannot miss one and only opportunity to find yourself on heights to walk the Skybridge linking the two towers. Sky Bridge and the Kingdom Tower are top Riyadh tourist attractions.
Sky Bridge Walk & Entrance Fee.
ON THE GROUND FLOOR of the shopping centre, the curvy stairs in the middle of the hall will take you to a small entrance with a Tower Bridge sign.
Single entrance costs 69 SAR. After obtaining a ticket, you will be escorted to an elevator taking you 77 floor, from where another elevator will bring you to the 99th floor for a Sky Bridge walk!
The bridge is not actually that long – but the views are stunning. Make sure to choose a bright day for clear views. Unfortunately, there are no cafes or restaurants to extend your Tower Bridge experience.
2. National Museum of Saudi Arabia.
Museum may be the last thing on your mind, but this one is beautifully arranged museums and the exhibition is highly pictorial. The King Abdulaziz Historical Center covers 2 million years of KSA history. The place is one of the biggest Riyadh tourist attractions.
It’s an interesting introduction to early, middle and late Arabian Kingdom times, the expansion of the Islamic religion and the rise of Arabic culture. There’s also an impressive copy of a handwritten Quran (old script). And what’s most interesting, you’ll find a small replica of Mecca – the holiest place in Islam and the biggest mosque in the world.
Entry to the museum is FREE and there are usually other temporary exhibitions that you may find interesting.
3. The old city of Ad Diriyah.
One of the best things to see in Riyadh is the old walls of Ad Diriyah – the ancient city and fort that went through a massive restoration in the last 10 years. Diriyah represents Najdi architecture. This old part of Riyadh provides a fascinating overview of the ancient cultural settlements.
It is also the original home for the Royal Family since the 18th century.
Diriyah nowadays is a magnificent part of Riyadh with an impressive long boulevard full of tiny streets hiding cosy cafes, restaurants, traditional shops and numerous museums.
BEFORE YOU VISIT – BOOK TICKETS ONLINE! Yes – the entry to the historical part is paid – you can either obtain a ticket or make a reservation in one of the on-site restaurants, which would get you in as well.
The main attraction is the ancient Fort – a mud-brick city: At-Turaif the World Heritage site. Once you’ve explored the ancient fort, you may take a walk at the nearby garden: Al-Bujairi Heritage Park. You cannot miss visiting the Diriyah district, it’s definitely one of the top things to see in Riyadh. For more information, visit www.visitsaudi.com.
Here is a highly recommended City Tour from Tripadvisor: Private City Tour in Riyadh with lunch and dinner – which includes almost all attractions mentioned in my article, even the SkyTower.
What to see in Diriyah - getting around.
Diriyah is a whole district, it’s a huge area to explore for one day and one of the top places to visit in Riyadh.
Once you get in, walk toward the At-Turaif fort. You might be welcomed with aromatic Arabic coffee tasting. The visitor centre – the museum is located at the entrance, where you can get a map of the area with all sections marked.
Once you sink into the tiny streets of the ancient city you will feel like traveling back in time. You are welcome to explore the interior of all the buildings to see the oasis settlement, souks and the street life. There are a number of exhibitions and performances arranged unveiling old times and traditions.
Najdi architecture.
Najdi architecture is based on natural resources and goes along with the natural surroundings. Building shape is styled to maximize residents’ privacy, protect them from desert heat and all natural builders like mud brick are used.
4. World Boulevard in Riyadh.
The World Boulevard is a huge entertainment area and one of the nicest things to see in Riyadh!
The architectural and digital setup within this ‘city’ is highly impressive, making the place family-friendly.
The place brings the most famous buildings inspired by cultures from 10 different countries of the world. It carries the biggest LED screen in the whole Middle East, along with several high-definition displays.
An interesting way of exploring the World Boulevard attractions is from a cable car, which spans Riyadh city.
5. Taste of Riyadh - Traditional Saudi food.
Traditional restaurants are top places to visit in Riyadh for trying exceptional Arabic food.
Saudi cuisine is aromatic, authentic and delicious. Dates are a symbol of Saudi Arabia; the real taste of the fruit is to be explored only in Saudi. It is served as a starter and incorporated to some traditional dishes. Najd Village would be the restaurant to visit. It is arranged in old Najd style, bringing unforgettable dining experience.
It’s very interesting that number of foreign cuisines have stolen Saudi’s hearts. Italian , American or Mediterranean kitchen is widely popular across the whole country.
6. Masmak Fortress in Riyadh.
The iconic Masmak Fortress is one of the most interesting things to see in Riyadh, as it stands as a testament to the city’s storied past.
It was built in the late 19th century. You can take a walk through its impressive gates, explore the museum housed within, and get a breathtaking view of the fort’s historical architecture.
Natural wonders outside of Riyadh.
Wadi Hanifa and the Edge of the World are huge tourist attractions outside of Riyadh. Wadi Hanifah is a stunning valley that stretches over 120 kilometers, where you can hike or bike along its scenic paths.
7. The Edge of the world.
The Edge of the World (original name Jebel Fihrayn) is a name for a massive cliff rock facing the desert, located 100km outside of Riyadh. It’s impossible to get there by a local transport. So unless you have a jeep car (low-rise vehicles are not recommended for this road) you would need to book an organized trip. The good news is there are some companies that organize day trips to the Edge of the World – however I did a market insight and the responses were slow – so don’t wait till last minute and try to book few days in advance.
The Edge of the World is one of the most spectacular things to see in Riyadh.
Here are 3 top rated, very affordable tours that will take you to see the place along with some trekking included in the price, which is a great adventurous way to explore this incredible wonder. The view from the top is magnificent, it spreads over desert lanscape cut with dried river valleys.
8. The red sands of Saudi desert.
A trip to a red sand Saudi desert is an exceptional adventure. There are several options to explore the desert – you can choose from a full-day jeep safari tour or popular Riyadh Red Sand Dunes 4×4 Quad Biking tour, or go camping in the desert. Most trips would include fantastic desert activities like dune bashing or sandboarding.
Most of the tours would take you south-west direction from Riyadh along the road 5395 right to the Red Sand Dunes visible on Google Maps (60 km from Riyadh city centre).
Private tours cost between $65-$120, depending on the programme and duration.
FOR THE BEST CAR RENTAL PRICES IN SAUDI CHECK THE BELOW OFFERS.
9. Mecca - the holiest city in Islam.
Mecca is the Prophet Muhammad’s birthplace and the holiest city in Islam. Mecca, with the largest mosque in the world – the Grand Mosque- is only accessible to Muslims. The city is located on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, 45 miles from Jeddah – one of the most fascinating cities in Saudi Arabia.
The Edge of the World and Mecca are probably the most fascinating things to see in Saudi Arabia.
HAJJ is the pilgrimage to the city of Mecca. Every Muslim must undertake the pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime. The pilgrimage takes from two to three months to reach Mecca. KAABA (meaning cube in Arabic) is a building situated in the centre area of the mosque. All pilgrimes walk around the Kaaba 7 times.
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