At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace, Diriyah
The mud-brick birthplace of the first Saudi state, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the edge of Riyadh, with the Bujairi Terrace restaurants and terraces beside it.
Saudi Arabia
Riyadh
Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia and one of the fastest-changing cities in the Middle East, a desert metropolis where a mud-brick fortress, a glass skybridge and a cliff-edge sunset all sit within a day’s reach.
The story of the modern kingdom starts here: at the Masmak Fortress, at Murabba Palace and at At-Turaif in Diriyah, the UNESCO-listed birthplace of the first Saudi state. Around them a new city has risen, with the Kingdom Centre’s Sky Bridge above Olaya, Boulevard World during Riyadh Season and a growing run of museums, restaurants and cultural districts. Beyond the ring road the landscape opens into red sand dunes, the Tuwaiq escarpment and Wadi Hanifa, and the cooler months from about November to March are the time to be outdoors. This guide covers the headline sights, how to book them, where to stay and how to plan a first visit, written neutrally. Visitors from many countries can apply online for a Saudi e-visa, but eligibility and rules change, so check the Visit Saudi portal for your passport before you book.
Don't miss
At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace, Diriyah
The mud-brick birthplace of the first Saudi state, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the edge of Riyadh, with the Bujairi Terrace restaurants and terraces beside it.
Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn)
A dramatic cliff on the Tuwaiq escarpment, a few hours from Riyadh, where the plateau drops away to a flat desert plain, best seen on a guided 4x4 trip at sunset.
Masmak Fortress
The mud-brick fort in old Riyadh where Abdulaziz Ibn Saud retook the city in 1902, now a museum beside the Souq Al Zal quarter.
Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge
An enclosed glass walkway near the top of Kingdom Centre, with sweeping views over Riyadh’s skyline, best visited around sunset.
Things to do in Riyadh
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn)
A dramatic cliff on the Tuwaiq escarpment, a few hours from Riyadh, where the plateau drops away to a flat desert plain, best seen on a guided 4x4 trip at sunset.
Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge
An enclosed glass walkway near the top of Kingdom Centre, with sweeping views over Riyadh’s skyline, best visited around sunset.
Masmak Fortress
The mud-brick fort in old Riyadh where Abdulaziz Ibn Saud retook the city in 1902, now a museum beside the Souq Al Zal quarter.
National Museum of Saudi Arabia
A large modern museum in the King Abdulaziz Historical Centre that walks through Arabian history from prehistory to the Islamic era and the founding of the kingdom.
Murabba Palace
King Abdulaziz’s restored Najdi-style palace of the 1930s, set in the King Abdulaziz Historical Centre beside the National Museum.
Boulevard World (Riyadh Season)
A themed evening zone of country pavilions, street food, shows and rides, part of Riyadh Season and open each winter season.
Souq Al Zal
One of Saudi Arabia’s oldest markets, a lively maze of shops in old Riyadh selling carpets, antiques, spices and traditional crafts, free to wander.
1 to 2 hoursDetails →
Red Sand Dunes: Dune Bashing and Camel Ride
A short desert escape from Riyadh to red sand dunes for dune bashing, camel rides, sandboarding and quad bikes, usually timed for sunset.
FreeWadi Hanifa
A long green valley that winds through Riyadh and past Diriyah, with walking paths, picnic areas and stargazing, free to visit.
1 to 3 hoursDetails →
Six Flags Qiddiya
The headline theme park of Qiddiya, the entertainment city on the Tuwaiq escarpment west of Riyadh, with record-chasing coasters and themed lands.
Aquarabia Water Park, Qiddiya
The water park at Qiddiya, west of Riyadh, with slides, pools and shaded lounging for a hot-weather family day out.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre
Al Olaya
A five-star hotel inside the Kingdom Centre complex on Olaya, with a spa, an outdoor pool, Café Boulud and the Sky Bridge in the same tower.
Check rates →
$$$Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya
Al Olaya
A five-star hotel on Olaya Road with an indoor pool, a spa, free parking and a metro station a few minutes’ walk away.
Check rates →
$$$Narcissus Hotel and Spa Riyadh
Al Olaya
A large five-star hotel at the corner of Olaya and Tahlia streets with an indoor pool, a spa with a hammam and free parking.
Check rates →Jareed Hotel Riyadh
Hittin
A small boutique hotel in the Hittin district, with 58 rooms, an outdoor pool, a spa and free valet parking, on the north-west side of the city nearer Diriyah.
Check rates →ibis Riyadh Olaya Street
Al Olaya
A budget-friendly hotel opposite Kingdom Tower on Olaya Street, a short walk from the Sky Bridge, with free parking and a restaurant.
Check rates →The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh
Al Hada
A palatial five-star resort-style hotel in Al Hada with 492 rooms, an indoor pool, a spa, four restaurants and gardens, close to VIA Riyadh.
Check rates →Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh
Al Olaya
A five-star hotel at the base of Al Faisaliyah Tower in Olaya, with 325 rooms, two indoor pools, a spa and a short walk to the metro.
Check rates →Riyadh guides
First-Timer’s Guide to Riyadh: What to Book, How Long to Stay and When to Go
How to plan a first trip to Riyadh: what to book ahead, how to get around, how many days to allow and how Diriyah, the old city, the Sky Bridge and the desert fit together.
Where to Stay in Riyadh: Olaya, Hittin and the Diriyah Side
Where to stay in Riyadh: the central Olaya towers, the quieter Hittin district near Diriyah and the best budget base near the Sky Bridge, with a hotel pick for each style of trip.
Three Days in Riyadh: A Day-by-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
A practical three-day Riyadh itinerary: heritage and museums on day one, Diriyah and the skyline on day two, and the desert escarpment on day three, with tips for each day.
Eating and Drinking in Riyadh: Najdi Dishes, Saudi Coffee and Where to Start
A visitor’s guide to food in Riyadh: Saudi coffee and dates, kabsa and other Najdi dishes, how a food trail helps, where to eat by district and what to know about dining out.
Best Time to Visit Riyadh: Seasons, Heat and Riyadh Season Explained
When to visit Riyadh: why November to March is the best window, what Riyadh Season adds, how to handle the heat in other months and how to plan around prayer times and weekends.
Day Trips from Riyadh: Escarpment Views, Red Dunes, Qiddiya and Heritage Villages
The best day trips from Riyadh: the Edge of the World and Darb Al Manjour trail, the red sand dunes, Qiddiya’s theme and water parks and the Ushaiqer heritage village, with timing and tips.
