Replete with the natural beauty found in green spaces, stunning gardens and parks, Riyadh has something for everyone to do. Tourists are awe-struck by its beauty, heritage and culture. There are a million things to do in Riyadh which include discovering architectural marvels, going to the mall to shop, visiting museums, historical forts and much more.
People will be swept off their feet by the city’s ancient history, hustle and bustle of the modern metropolis with shining skyscrapers. It is one of the most stunning cities to explore at least once. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and plan your ideal vacation.
Top 8 Things To Do In Riyadh Like A Resident Of The City
Home to several attractions and monuments, Riyadh offers a long-lasting memory beginning with exploring the kingdom center tower, shopping at the malls, tucking into the finest cuisines at some of the best restaurants and much more. If you are looking to go shopping or simply have fun, then one of the many things to do in Riyadh is to visit the Riyadh Gallery Mall, Al Nakheel Mall, Granda Center, Panorama Mall and Riyadh Avenue Mall.
In case you want to have a culture and historical kind of holiday, then the mosques, forts and religious places are just the places to explore. On the other hand, you can always take your kids to Riyadh Zoo and King Abdullah Park for some fun.
- Have dinner in a glass ball suspended over the city at the Globe
- Shop Your Heart Out At Riyadh Gallery
- Discover Al Masmak Fortress: Saudi Arabia’s Birthplace
- Explore The Rich Heritage Of The National Museum
- Relax At King Abdullah Park
- Visit The World Sight Park
- Tour Of The Ancient History at the Historical Diriyah
- Enjoy Quad Biking In The Red Sand Dunes
1. Have Dinner In a Glass Ball Suspended Over The City At The Globe Restaurant
Every often when one thinks of Riyadh, luxury and extravagance pop up which is seen at the Al Faisaliah Center, a commercial skyscraper. It is one of the tallest buildings in Saudi Arabia known for its design, and of course its huge glass that is suspended on the top. Speaking of the tallest building, one of the most delightful things to do in Riyadh with the family is to have dinner at the Globe. You and your family will get to have dinner in a glass ball suspended over the city.
Doesn’t it sound interesting? It is one of the many unique things people should enjoy, as it is not something they will get to experience anywhere else in the world.
Location: King Fahd Rd, Al Olaya, Riyadh 11491, Saudi Arabia
Main Highlight: Glass ball suspended over the city
2. Shop Your Heart Out At Riyadh Gallery
Are you looking for a place to eat, socialize and shop? We have just the place for you. Home to some of the biggest malls, Riyadh Gallery, a 3 Storey shopping mall, is just the place for you. You can shop for all kinds of international brands right from luxury goods to department stores. It has a food court, a mosque and an artificial lake.
Going to the mall and shopping your heart out is one of the many fun things to do in Riyadh. The gallery offers a different experience, unlike any other mall in Saudi Arabia. So? What are you thinking about? Explore the mall and have the best time of your life.
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Main Highlights: Shopping for International Brands
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3. Discover Al Masmak Fortress: Saudi Arabia’s Birthplace
With its rich heritage and history, the glass skyscrapers and business streets are the biggest tourist attractions in Riyadh people should explore. Speaking of skyscrapers and streets, tourists should visit the Al Masmak Fortress, once home to King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud, which was seized by Mohammed ibn Abdullah ibn Rasheed.
The fortress is one of the many places to visit in Saudi Arabia for its rich history and of course, explore the museum next door. Tourists will be awe- struck by some of the stunning paintings, photographs and antiques like guns and swords.
Location: Qasr al-Masmak, Al Imam Turki ibn Abdullah ibn Muhammad, Dirah, Riyadh 12652
Main Highlights: Paintings, photographs and antiques
4. Explore The Rich Heritage Of The National Museum
The biggest and one of the most visited places in the city, the national museum in Riyadh, is one of the places to visit in Riyadh; is found sitting in the King Abdul Aziz Historical Centre. With 8 galleries, the museum is home to a rich history of human civilization, Islam and Saudi Arabia along with several sculptures, antiquities and audiovisual instalments.
Founded in 1999 in Riyadh, the national museum of Saudi Arabia showcases the history of the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamic faith. A well-known architect Raymond Moriyama was inspired by the sand dunes to design the color and forms of the museum. Man, and the Universe, Arabian Kingdoms, the Pre-Islamic Era, Prophet Mohammad’s Mission, Islam and the Arabian Peninsula, First and the Second Saudi States, the Unification, and the Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques are the 8 galleries of the museum people will get to explore.
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Main Highlights: Man, and the Universe, Arabian Kingdoms, the Pre-Islamic Era, Prophet Mohammad’s Mission, Islam and the Arabian Peninsula
Suggested Read: Traditional Things To Buy While Shopping in Saudi Arabia
5. Relax At King Abdullah Park
Nestled in Al Malaz, King Abdullah Park is the biggest park in Riyadh known for its dancing water fountain, vast green lawns and colorful gardens. The park is ideal for all those runners, with its wide stones and brick paths. One of the many things to do in Riyadh at night is to run in this well-lit space.
Kids can enjoy all kinds of games at the park along with the fountain that cools the weather. Tourists can even enjoy a few shows after 6 at the park, one of the many things to do in Saudi Arabia. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and have the best time of your life.
Location: Al Ameen Abdullah Al Ali Al Naeem St, Al Malaz, Riyadh 12836, Saudi Arabia
Highlights: Dancing water fountain, vast green lawns and colorful gardens
6. Visit The World Sight Park
One of the most stunning attractions and wonders, the world sight park should be on everyone’s bucket list of places to visit in Riyadh. It is an amusement park and an ideal place for a picnic, where people can spend most of their day enjoying the fresh air and other fun activities in Riyadh, at this park. The Eiffel Tower and the Mecca and Medina are landmarks tourists should put on their bucket list of places to explore.
Tourists shouldn’t forget to take all kinds of pictures at the park and be awe struck by the lights at night. What more can anyone ask for when it comes to having the ideal vacation in Riyadh?
Location: 4298 Nasir Ar Rajihi, Al Mughrizat, 7164، Riyadh 12482, Saudi Arabia
Highlights: The Eiffel Tower, Mecca and Medina
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7. Tour Of The Ancient History At The Historical Diriyah
Do you want to hear something interesting? Have you ever seen mud-brick walls back in the day? Well, the mud- brick walls of Diriyah used to be a desert city that was rich in culture and commerce. It was a seat of power for the Al Saud family, in the At- Turaif district. It was named the country’s capital back in 1727, as it laid the foundation for what become a unified Saudi Arabia.
Home to the religious scholar Mohammed bin Abdul Wahab, tourists from around the world come to visit this historical destination. It is one of the most stunning places to explore at least once while on vacation in Riyadh.
Location: Ar Riyad Province, Saudi Arabia
Highlights: Rich in Culture and Commerce
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8. Enjoy Quad Biking In The Red Sand Dunes
One of the many adventures in Riyadh to enjoy is Quad biking at the red sand dunes. The red sand dunes are one the most diverse tourist destinations in Saudi Arabia, the biggest desert in the world. True to their name, the red sand dunes are surrounded by the mountains.
The pleasant area is filled with tourists and locals over the weekends. Besides quad biking, dune bashing is one of the most popular activities in town. With so much fun and excitement, what more can anyone ask for? Go ahead and have the best time of your life.
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Highlights: Quad Biking
Riyadh is one of the most stunning places to visit for its rich culture and history. Every corner of the city is filled with cafes, malls, restaurants and other historical sites and much more. The city does attract millions of tourists from around the world every year. One of the most popular things to do in Riyadh is quad biking on the sand dunes.
So, what are you waiting for? If you’ve decided to visit Riyadh, ensure you avail of the Riyadh tour package that is filled with all kinds of surprises. Go ahead and pack your bags.
Things To Do in Riyadh - FAQs
November- March is the best time to visit Riyadh, as the weather is pleasant. Tourists can roam around the city with ease and enjoy themselves.
People can spend at least 3-4 days in Riyadh. It has become a melting pot for its food, culture and history.
Riyadh is said to be the melting pot of culture as it is home to several cultural centers like the national museum, the King Abdul Aziz Historical Centre and the national library.
People can enjoy Quad biking on the red sand dunes, one of the most diverse tourist destinations in Riyadh.
Hininy, Madfoon, Mandi, Jalamah, Ka'ak and Kabsa are some of the traditional cuisines people should try in Riyadh.
The park is found nestled at Al Ameen Abdullah Al Ali Al Naeem St, Al Malaz, Riyadh 12836, Saudi Arabia.
Dinner in a glass ball suspended over the city at the Globe, shop your heart out at Riyadh gallery, quad biking in the red sand dunes, tour of the ancient history at the historical diriyah are some of the things to do in Riyadh.
Dancing water fountain, vast green lawns and colorful gardens are the main highlights of the park.
