Riyadh is one of those cities that doesn’t get the love it deserves and quite a few people have never even heard of it. I find this to be a big shame because it is a magnificent city that you should definitely visit if you get the opportunity. For this reason I wanted to write about some of the best things to do and places to visit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Things to Do in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Al Masmak Fort
You can start off your visit by taking a chauffeur service in Riyadh to the Al Masmak Fort, which is located in downtown Riyadh. This fort played an important part in the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was here that the recapture of Riyadh occurred in 1902. Today the fort is an important part of the tourism industry and is one of the most visited places in the city. The fort itself is now a museum that has many artefacts from the history of Saudi Arabia, such as antique guns, clothing, traditional Saudi living and much more.
Visit the historic city of Diriyah
This beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site was the former home of the Saudi Royal Family and was actually the first capital of Saudi Arabia. This is like walking into the past when you see the ruins of this former city, which overlook a narrow valley. Parts of the old city wall are still intact and are made up of mud bricks, as well as a number of old houses that also have a similar construction. This really is an incredible look into the past of a place that has so much history.
Deerah Souk
This is the marketplace or bazaar of Riyadh and is located next to the Masmak Fort. This is the ideal place to get some great souvenirs, such as shawls, carpets, scented oils, spices and even gold. You can enjoy the lively atmosphere and the joy of bargaining for the souvenir that you want. Deerah Souk is definitely one of those places that you have to visit to get that traditional market feeling that you wouldn’t be able to replicate anywhere else.
The National Museum
Saudi Arabia has an interesting history and a great way to learn more about it is to visit the National Museum. This great museum splits the history of the country into 8 halls that have their own specific theme, such as the Pre-Islamic Era, the First and Second Saudi States, The Arabian Kingdom and much more. As you can see, this is very comprehensive and covers some extremely interesting times in the history of the kingdom. There are a number of different artifacts, antiques and manuscripts on display too!
The Edge of the World
This stunning rock formation is located about 90 kilometres north of Riyadh and is without a doubt one of my favourite places to visit when I am in Riyadh. The meaning of the name of the site is not so obvious until you see it for yourself, but I will do my best to describe it. The huge rock formation is like a giant steep cliff that has some stunning views of the valley below. This place really looks like the end of the world and you need to see it for yourself to see what I mean.
