An Exciting Itinerary to Explore Riyadh

The once closed-off, unexplored country is now open to everyone to explore! With its 2030 vision, Saudi Arabia is venturing into a journey of opening itself to the world. Since this new vision, fostered by Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, began, the country’s tourism has peaked like never before.

Saudi Arabia is over 2.1 million sq km between two continents—almost as large as Western Europe. With its huge size, the country offers a wide range of scenery. The country’s newness in tourism attracts curious travellers. Going on a trip to explore Riyadh would be a good idea nowadays. The country cares a lot about tourism, ensuring you will have the best experience.

Explore Riyadh

An itinerary to explore Riyadh mixes culture and modernity. The landmarks and important monuments in Riyadh present the country’s timeline from its foundation until the modern day. Many festivals and seasonal events take place in the city annually. Plan your visit at a proper time to attend at least one.

The country is huge, and the distance between its cities is very big. So, in this article, we have grouped the attractions in each city and selected the most important ones to include in a week-and-a-half itinerary.

The Capital City of Riyadh

Riyadh is the capital city of Saudi Arabia. From historical monuments to luxurious skyscrapers, the city is full of things to see and activities to do.

Tour Historical Diriyah

Start exploring Riyadh by visiting Diriyah, the birthplace of the first Saudi kingdom. Historically, Diriyah was the capital city of the first Saudi Kingdom. Nowadays, it is a suburban area located near Riyadh.

The historical neighbourhood is famous for its mud-brick walls and distinctive architectural design. The ruins of the first kingdom are still standing, and the monuments show the damage the Ottoman Army caused to the city.

The ruins were declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 2010. Restoration plans have been carried out to preserve the historic site. The attraction is open to the public Saturday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Relax at Al Bujairi Heritage Park

Also located in Diriya, Al Bujairi Heritage Park is perfect for a nice picnic. The park’s architectural style is inspired by the surrounding area. Plan to go there in the evening to enjoy the excellent weather and a relaxed atmosphere.

The park stretches over 60,000 square meters. Green landscapes cover the whole park, and rare flowers, different plants, and thousands of trees ornate it. Al Bujairi Park is located on a low piece of land, surrounded by higher rocks, which create scenic views of the park.

Al Bujairi Heritage Park is also home to Gazelles, Llamas, sheep, and other animal species. The animals roam freely around the park. You can pet them and take some photos of them with them. Various lakes seep through the park, adding to the scenery and cooling the weather.

The park is open all day, every day, and entry is free. However, avoid the weekends, as the park is very busy then. Plan half a day for the visit and explore Riyadh’s natural side. Wear something comfortable and walking shoes to get around the park easily.

Visit King Abdullah Park

A piece of green land in the middle of Riyadh! That is right. Riyadh, the city amid the desert, embraces an oasis-like park within its borders. Explore Riyadh’s fabulous oasis, officially known as King Abdullah Park. King Abdullah Park stretches over 2 km. The park is the go-to location for many families and individuals looking for a relaxing day.

The park is famous for its dancing fountains, but this is not all it offers. King Abdullah Park has green lawns, vibrant gardens, and thick bushes. With its wide stone and brick paths, the park is the dream of all runners.

The park includes various facilities, including children’s playgrounds, which attract hundreds of families. In the middle of the park, an interactive fountain is situated. The fountain is very interesting and always has people surrounding it. An artificial ice skating area is also located by the fountain.

The best time to visit the park is at night. This is when the scorching hot sunsets and the weather is cooler. The park’s fountains help break the heat and provide a nice breeze. The park charges an entry fee of SAR 10 ($2.67) per adult and SAR 5 ($1.33).

If you want to explore Riyadh, different sites and activities will fill your schedule. Make sure to squeeze in a picnic or a walk at King Abdullah Park.

Learn About History at The National Museum of Saudi Arabia

The National Museum of Saudi Arabia was established in 1999 and is part of King Abdulaziz’s historical centre. The Museum is a great place to learn about Arabian prehistory, the history of the Arabian Peninsula, and the story of Saudi Arabia’s establishment and unification.

The National Museum of Saudi Arabia is housed within a modern edifice surrounded by flower gardens. The museum exhibits everything from neolithic rock art to replicas of old Saudi cities to antiques from the Islamic era. Visitors can also take interactive tours that transport them to different ages and eras.

The museum has 8 halls, each dedicated to a certain historical era. The halls are arranged chronologically, starting from prehistory to modern-day Saudi Arabia. These halls are Man and the Universe, Arabian Kingdoms, The Pre-Islamic Era, Prophet Mohammad’s Mission, Islam and the Arabian Peninsula, First and Second Saudi States, The Unification, and The Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques.

While visiting Saudi Arabia for tourism has not always been possible, visiting the National Museum of Saudi Arabia would allow you to learn a lot about the country’s history and culture. The museum is usually crowded during the weekend. If you are not a fan of big crowds, try to schedule your visit on a weekday.

Whether visiting Saudi Arabia as a tourist or trying to explore the country as a resident, visiting the National Museum of Saudi Arabia is a must in your quest to explore Riyadh.

Explore Riyadh’s History at Al Masmak Fortress

You cannot fully explore Riyadh without learning about its significant history, and Al Masmak Fortress is a great place to do so. It holds an important place in Saudi Arabia’s history.

The fortress was captured by King Abdulaziz, the founder of modern-day Saudi Arabia, in 1902. The capture marked the fall of Riyadh into the king’s control, a remarkable historical event that changed history.

From Al Masmak, King Abdulaziz Al Saud conquered and united the kingdoms and provinces that make up the country of Saudi Arabia as we know it today. Throughout history, the fortress has served many purposes. It was originally built as a garrison house. After King Abdulaziz’s raid, it became a warehouse for ammunition. Following the unification of Saudi Arabia, the fortress became a prison.

Nowadays, Al Masmak Fortress is a museum that tells the story of Saudi Arabia’s unification. With different artefacts and audiovisual presentations, the fortress offers visitors a chance to walk through Saudi Arabia’s history. The fortress is made of clay and mudbrick. It features four watchtowers and thick walls.

Shop at Souq Al Zal

Are you looking to buy some souvenirs while visiting Saudi Arabia? Souq Al Zal is the perfect destination! Explore Riyadh’s traditional shops at the souq.

Souq Al Zal is just a stone’s throw from Al Masmak Fortress. If visiting Al Masmak Fortress, consider shopping at Souq Al Zal. It is the best place to buy traditional goods.

Souq Al Zal means “the carpet market.” Al Zal is, more precisely, a handmade rug that covers only a part of the floor. As its name suggests, it is the main product sold at the souq. However, it is not the only one.

Shops sell almost all traditional goods, including perfumes, oud, handmade leather sandals, thobes, and gowns. The quality and authenticity of the goods vary, so make sure to check what you buy thoroughly.

Shops sell almost all traditional goods, including perfumes, oud, handmade leather sandals, thobes, and gowns. The quality and authenticity of the goods vary, so make sure to check what you buy thoroughly.

Beyond shopping, the souq offers other activities. Auctions are held every Friday and Saturday right in the wake of the afternoon prayer (Asr). Attending the auction is an experience, even if you will not buy anything.

Check Out King Abdulaziz Racetrack

Saudi Arabia is the home of the world’s richest horse race, so any itinerary for visiting Saudi Arabia would be incomplete without a horse race!

The country has an amazing horse racetrack located in its capital. Built in 2003, the venue is a very popular weekend destination for locals and tourists alike. The King Abdulaziz Racetrack exemplifies the country’s rich equestrian heritage.

The racetrack hosts 10 daily horse races. The results of each race are displayed on the electronic leaderboard. The 5000-seat grandstand flanks the finish line. Trackside viewing areas offer the best vantage point of the finish line and up-close encounters with the racing talent.

The racetrack is open to the public; however, reservations are required. Allow yourself at least half a day to explore Riyadh’s biggest horse race track. Start your day by watching one of the races. Then, enjoy a nice dining experience in the venue’s upscale restaurant.

Explore Riyadh’s Traditional Market at Al Deira Souq

Another local market to check in Riyadh is Al Deerah Souq. The souq has a plethora of small shops arranged in rows, arranged by product. Each group of shops that sells similar products is bunched together, allowing you to compare prices.

The shops sell different products. Among the products you can get at Al Deerah Souq are carpets, traditional clothes, souvenirs, and furniture. The prices are very affordable. Even with the reasonable prices, most souq goers still bargain with sellers. So, Al Deerah Souq is the place to go if you want to hone your bargaining skills.

Al Deerah Souq is also known among locals as Deerah Gold Souq. As the name suggests, the souq is most famous for its gold shops. While the gold mine in Saudi Arabia is regarded as some of the best in the world, Deerah Gold Souq is the best place to shop for Saudi gold.

Like the rest of the souq, go into the gold-selling part of the souq ready to haggle. Experienced hagglers at the souq start at one shop, haggle for the best price, then leave. They walk through the souq, haggling and trying to find the best price. Once they find the price they are satisfied with, they return to the first shop and see if the seller would match that price.

If you decide to check Al Deerah Souq while visiting Saudi Arabia, here are some points to consider. The souq is usually crowded, so be prepared for that. Try to dress comfortably to be able to walk around freely. While the souq opens daily from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm, avoid going at noon as the weather would be unbearably hot. Finally, do not worry about language barriers. Most shop owners speak English, so language shouldn’t be a barrier.

Attend the Janadriyah National Festival

If you are in Saudi Arabia in the first half of March, explore Riyadh’s cultural event, Al Janadriyah National Festival! It is a two-week cultural festival held outside Riyadh city. Sponsored by the Saudi National Guard, it has occurred in the first half of March since 1985.

The festival features a wide variety of activities. Camel races, a popular traditional sport in Saudi Arabia, are held at the festival. Other activities and shows include Arda dances, arts, living history, falconry, and traditional arts and crafts. The government also seizes the opportunity to showcase its institutions and services.

Every Saudi region is represented in the festival. Miniatures showcase the provinces’ cultures, architecture, traditions, and cuisine. You can walk through the miniatures to learn about the different cities of Saudi Arabia. From Jizan to Assir to Mecca, Medina, and the North Borders, each Saudi administrative region is exhibited.

Apart from cultural exhibitions and sporting activities, street food is the festival’s true enjoyment. Locals of different Saudi regions bring their traditional dishes to the festival to sell them. Both savoury and sweet are present at the food stalls.

We recommend you try Yaghmush, small meat fritters from the Hijazi region, and mutabaqs, thin pies stuffed with vegetables or meat. If you want a lighter option, go for sambuca, which is similar to Indian samosas. There are also different sweet dishes. The best for most people is Masoba, a banana and honey pudding.

The festival is a great opportunity to see locals in contact with their culture. Like most places/events in Saudi Arabia, the Al Janadriyah National Festival opens from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and then from 4:00 pm to 12:00 am.

Things to Consider While You Explore Riyadh

With all the civilization in the capital city, Riyadh is still in the desert. This means the weather is too hot in summer and cold in winter. The best time to visit and explore Riyadh is from March to early May. However, if you cannot plan your visit, avoid going out at noon.

Another point to take note of is dressing modestly. The culture in Saudi Arabia is conservative to a reasonable extent. Both men and women are expected to dress modestly. That means no short outfits, sleeveless shirts or revealing clothes.

Riyadh is not pedestrian-friendly, in large part due to its weather. There is also no comprehensive public transportation system. So, to get around while you explore Riyadh, you will have to rent a car, take a taxi, or Uber.

So here you have it! These are the important sites you need to check to explore Riyadh. Grab your pen and start planning your trip to the new tourist city!

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