Nestled in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a city that seamlessly blends its rich heritage with a rapidly evolving modern landscape. As a resident or visitor, there are several iconic locations in Riyadh that are a must-visit, offering a unique insight into the city’s cultural, architectural, and historical significance.
As you explore the city, you’ll uncover a wealth of hidden gems and experiences that will leave a lasting impression on your journey through this dynamic and ever-evolving metropolis. So strap on your most comfortable shoes and charge your phone fully. Here are all the iconic locations in Riyadh that you have to check out.
Iconic locations in Riyadh
Districts to check out
Boulevard City
If you are looking to get some steps in for free while exploring the capital, Boulevard City is the place to be. Started as a Riyadh Season zone, you can now visit all year. Boulevard City has multiple subzones like the Garden and the Trocadero area, both of which have been inspired by London’s Coventry Street. These areas are brimming with cafés and restaurants for quick refueling pitstops. The zone is also home to the Musical Fountain which does performances every hour and is a must-see before you leave.
Open daily 4pm-2am. Boulevard City, Hittin, @blvdruhcity.
KAFD
King Abdullah Financial District aka KAFD is one of the trendiest districts in the capital. The open-air space is home to architectural marvels like the Public Investment Fund tower which is known as the tallest skyscraper in Riyadh. Explore one of the first-ever fully integrated smart cities in the Kingdom after stopping by The Wadi. Inspired by Saudi’s many desert valleys, The Wadi is an open public space that lays 5.5 metres below street level, making the natural airflow cooler than the rest of the district. KAFD is also home to multiple first restaurants like the Italian joint Il Baretto. Entrance to the district is even free during events like Noor Riyadh, the largest light art festival in the Kingdom.
Free. Open daily. King Abdullah Financial District, kafd.sa.
ROSHN Front
Pick up some bags as you walk around ROSHN Front. Considered to be one of the most walkable districts in the capital, the sleek complex has restaurants and retail spots dotting the open area. There are even low-lying fountains that bubble water constantly adding a sense of serenity to the busy area.
Free. Open Sun-Wed 8am-midnight, Thu-Sat 6am-3am. roshnfront.com.
Historic locations
At Turaif
Tired of Riyadh’s gleaming modernity? Head down to the historical side of the capital starting with Diriyah’s At Turaif. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mud-brick and clay city was once the heart of the Kingdom. Walking through the preserved streets will remind you of just that. Stand In the looming shadow of Salwa Palace, the largest building in the citadel that is still standing from the 1700s. While visiting the region, if you are hungry, you may climb up to Bujairi Terrace for a satisfying supper and views of the historic city.
Open daily 5pm-midnight. Wadi Hanifah, Diriyah, diriyah.sa.
Bujairi Heritage Park
Rekindle your curiosity for Saudi Arabia’s history and culture. Nestled among palm trees, the Bujairi Heritage Park is a cultural and recreation haven in Wadi Hanifah. Tumbling around, promising to give you a tour of the entire region, are tour carts crammed with rides, food vendors, and various activities. One of the most photogenic iconic locations in Riyadh, the park offers amazing views of the Turaif as well, especially at night when the area is illuminated by beautiful lights.
Open Sat-Wed 10am-11pm, Thu-Fri 11am-midnight, Wadi Hanifah.
Diriyah Gate
Diriyah Gate is considered to the pulsating heart of the capital. Sitting all golden brown on the outskirts of the city, this site showcases painstakingly renovated mud-brick edifices, historic mansions, and vibrant marketplaces, providing an enthralling window into the Kingdom’s diverse cultural fabric. Diriyah Gate, a representation of the Kingdom’s history, will take you through markets, open squares, and winding alleys. It’s among the outdoor pursuits in Riyadh that offers the greatest cultural enrichment.
Open daily. Diriyah.
Murraba Historical Palace
One of Saudi Arabia’s most magnificent museums is located within the palace, which also has recordings of King Abdul Aziz’s motivational speeches and historical artifacts. The monarch used to reside there. Designed in the traditional Najdi architecture, the two-story architectural wonder offers a glimpse of the Rolls-Royce that Churchill gifted to the queen in 1946.
SAR15 (adults) SAR10 (children). Open daily 8am-10pm. Al Murabba, visitsaudi.com (011 401 1999).
Al Rajhi Grand Mosque
Savor the splendor of one of Riyadh’s most striking sites as the sun sets and the spotlights come on. Being the largest mosque in the city, it is an important part of community get-togethers and huge social events. Although the mosque is only open to Muslims, it’s nevertheless worthwhile to explore the outside of the structure, especially at night.
Free. Open daily noon-midnight. Al Jazirah (011 244 4447).
Masmak Fort
Take in the history of Saudi Arabia by exploring the old fort, which was built in 1865. Guns, pictures, and antiques older than a century are kept in recognizable mud-brick homes, soaring watchtowers, and even a castle that is now a museum. Both Arabic and English are offered for the tours. Among the top activities available in Riyadh at the moment.
Free entry. Open daily 9am-8pm; Fri 4pm-8pm. 6937 Al Masmak Fortress Al Thumairi Street, visitsaudi.com (011 411 0091).
Bujairi District
The renowned Bujairi Terrace, home to opulent restaurants like the oh-so-lush TATEL and Flamingo Room, is the reason you may be familiar with Bujairi District. The Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab school and mosque are situated in Bujairi District, which is also a very historical place on the eastern side of Wadi Hanifa. Scholars from the area used to attend the school.
Bujairi District, Diriyah, diriyah.sa.
The great outdoors
Edge of the World
Want to keep active while still seeing some of Riyadh’s most famous sites? Hike up to the Edge of the World. It is situated 100 kilometers outside of the city limits and is regarded as one of the must-visit locations in Riyadh for outdoor sports. In the Tuwaiq Mountain range, the cliff rises sharply to 1.31 meters and provides a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. At the top of the cliff, take in the monochrome sunset while feeling the chilly wind rush through you. Not a mountain climber? With your feet firmly planted on the ground, you can still gaze at the attraction.
Free. Open 24/7. Acacia Valley, Tuwaiq Mountains.
Al Kharrarah
Al Kharrarah National Park and prominent landmarks in Riyadh are inextricably linked; one cannot discuss Riyadh without discussing the other. Get your heart rate up by drifting over the sands and spending an evening racing across the sand dunes. In addition, you can set up a spot on a sand dune and observe birds before returning to your home base and building a campfire. Do you need another rush of excitement? Around the fire, beneath the twinkling stars of the desert, you can tell terrible stories.
Free. Open 24/7. Al Muzahamiya.
Red Sand Dunes
Although there are no beaches in the municipal limits of Riyadh where you may go surfing, the city does boast the sloping sands of Al Muzahamiya’s Red Sand Dunes, which are great for gnarly sand surfing. Sand surfing is somewhat similar to snowboarding in that you strap yourself into a particular board and go down some dunes. If you don’t evenly distribute your weight, you risk falling and getting sand in your mouth. Sand surfing at the Red Dunes is the perfect pastime for those who love free and unusual outdoor activities in Riyadh.
Free. Open 24/7. Al Muzahamiya.
Heet Cave
In search of an outworldly experience? Then, just like the water called to a certain Disney princess, the Heat Cave in the Al Jubail Mountains is reaching out to you. The limestone walls and the pool of water at the bottom of the eye-shaped cave provide a refreshing relief from the intense heat of the desert. If you’re not into conventional indoor swimming, you can explore the sinkholes that lead to water reservoirs by dipping your toes and then your body into the pool. When it comes to outdoor activities in Riyadh, this location is not to be missed.
Free. Open daily. Mount Al Jubail, Al Jubail.
Riyadh Hidden Valley
It is not surprise that Riyadh Hidden Valley is one of the first places that appear when exploring iconic locations in Riyadh. Trekking around the area is simple, approachable, and quite exciting. It lets the explorer in you go off the main road. The outdoor area features densely arranged rock formations that you can scale to the summit of and enjoy a rejuvenating view of the setting sun.
Free. Open 24/7. Al Furshah valley.
Wadi Hanifah
A stunning valley called Wadi Hanifah is situated outside of Riyadh. The area features walking and cycling pathways on the valley’s banks, making it a popular family outdoor activity in Riyadh. Over the weekend, you can unwind and rejuvenate in the picnic areas and beautiful landscapes of Wadi Hanifah. In general, it’s a wonderful location to get away from the city and take in the scenery; the ideal times to visit are at dawn and dusk.
Free. Open 24/7. Al Hayer.
Wadi Namar
Adventure seekers love Wadi Namar because it provides both an easy stroll along the wadi and more strenuous hikes up the rocky hills, where they may spot a variety of species. Families will love being here, and you can even prepare a barbecue while you’re there. Note that it can get very busy. Among the top activities available in Riyadh at the moment.
Free entry. Open 24 hours. Al Warad, Namar.
Rawdhat Khuraim Park
An oasis called Rawdhat Khuraim may be found about 100 kilometers northeast of Riyadh. Established in 2005 as a protected wildlife reserve, this area is now home to wild gazelles and migrating birds who pause by its lakes. Even though getting there requires a car, it remains one of Riyadh’s top destinations for outdoor sports. The surroundings grow more serene and greener as you travel farther within. Although camping is not permitted within the park, it’s a wonderful area to go hiking or strolling during the cooler months.
Open daily 7am-10pm. Al Murooj.
Strawberry Hanging Gardens
When you bit into a luscious strawberry, did your inner hunter-gatherer suddenly awaken? After that, you should spend some time at the Hanging Strawberry Gardens. For just SAR30, pick fresh strawberries while listening to the meows and cries of cute animals and breathtaking foliage. With so many berries to select from, you are unlikely to come home from this outdoor activity empty-handed.
From SAR30. Al Ammariyah, @hanging_strawberry_gardens.
King Abdullah Park
King Abdullah Park is a great place to go if you want to walk but are having trouble finding the time during the day. With plenty of greenery and flowers to keep the air fresh, the park is open late into the night and is a great place for runners and walkers. Your kids can play on the monkey bars and go down the wavy slides while you take a leisurely stroll or a fast run in the kid-friendly park. When it comes to iconic locations in Riyadh, the dancing fountain is a local favorite and puts on entertaining performances.
SAR10. Open daily 4.30pm-12.30am. Al Ameen Abdullah Al Ali Al Naeem Street, Al Malaz.
