By Noemi Osquiza
At the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s change is Riyadh, the Kingdom’s capital and home to more than six million people. Riyadh is a bustling metropolis that offers various activities that locals and expats from different walks of life, ages, and interests, will find worthwhile. Here are the top 10 must-visit places in Riyadh for those who want to chill, step back in time, seek thrills, or go on adventures.
FOR THE CHILL-SEEKER
Riyadh literally translates to “gardens” however what blossomed wee skyscrapers and unique architectures that serve as the city’s landmarks. Most of these are situated along King Fahad Road and three of the must-visit buildings in Riyadh are just walking distances from each other.
KINGDOM TOWER
One of the most iconic landmarks in Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom Tower or Mamlaka Tower is tagged as “the necklace” of Riyadh due to its unusual apex. A one-stop destination, Kingdom Tower houses a shopping mall, a five-star hotel, various restaurants and food stalls, an observation bridge, and the world’s tallest mosque on its 77th floor. Avid shoppers can find the most luxurious brands in the Kingdom Center while first-timers and visitors in Riyadh can ascend to the Skybridge and see the city from up above. They say that you haven’t been to Riyadh if you haven’t been to the Skybridge.
AL-FAISALIAH TOWER
One can’t help but stop and stare at the “jewel of Riyadh” standing tall in the city’s horizon. Al-Faisaliah Tower is the first skyscraper built in Saudi Arabia in 2000. It has a five-star deluxe hotel, exclusive restaurants, shopping mall, offices, and a one-of-a kind viewing platform. This architectural delight could be more appreciated from The Globe Restaurant atop the tower. Enjoy an open-air view deck at The Experience where you can feel the breeze and watch the sky and the city’s vibrant scenery reflected in the sphere’s mirror.
KING FAHAD NATIONAL LIBRARY
Standing as the city’s “cultural lighthouse”, King Fahad National Library is one of Riyadh’s most important urban development and cultural projects. Its unique geometric exterior makes it truly one-of-a-kind and has won many awards in the field of architecture. The filigree texture façade featuring traditional Middle Eastern architectural patterns help in the cooling of the building allowing air and natural lighting in place without consuming much energy. A wide park is situated just outside the library where friends and family can enjoy picnics, especially on a good weather.
AL-BUJAIRI DISTRICT
Old meets new when one enters the Al-Bujairi District, the gateway to historical Diriyah. Situated within the royal family’s original hometown, the Bujairi Quarter of Diriyah is located 12 miles northwest of central Riyadh overlooking the eastern edge of Wadi Hanifah. This place celebrates the Saudi culture and heritage by highlighting local traditional ambience while mingling with contemporary theme. A destination for those who wants to immerse in an authentic Najd heritage experience, visitors can enjoy the view of the old Diriyah skyline while roaming the beautifully-landscaped gardens complete with waterways and fountains or wander around the square appreciating the structures built in Najd architecture.
FOR THE CULTURE VULTURE
The best way to fully appreciate Saudi Arabia is to revisit its past and take a trip to its museums, galleries, and heritage village.
NATIONAL MUSEUM
Time-traveling is made possible when visiting one of the largest museums in the Middle East, Riyadh’s National Museum. A cultural landmark that is distinguished for its comprehensive exhibits that highlight Saudi’s history and culture, relive and learn the country’s history with its impressive collection of old handicrafts, historical artifacts, and antiquities. The exhibits are categorized into 8 halls starting from the creation of the universe right up to the unification of modern Saudi Arabia. Each hall takes visitors on a journey and for just SR 10 entrance fee per person, it’s one journey worth going to.
AL-MASMAK FORT
Considered as the birthplace of the modern Saudi nation, Al-Masmak Fort is a must-visit destination. This well-preserved clay and mud-brick castle is the actual place where the young King Abdulaziz Al-Saud bravely led a battle to regain control of Riyadh on January 1902. This paved the way to consolidate the different provinces that make up the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Nowadays, this magnificent citadel features photo galleries and a collection of historical artifacts such as weapons and armors and a small theatre that shows a short film that dramatically recreates and captures the feel of that historical event. AL-BUJAIRI DISTRICT Old meets new when one enters the Al-Bujairi District, the gateway to historical Diriyah. Situated within the royal family’s original hometown, the Bujairi Quarter of Diriyah is located 12 miles northwest of central Riyadh overlooking the eastern edge of Wadi Hanifah. This place celebrates the Saudi culture and heritage by highlighting local traditional ambience while mingling with contemporary theme. A destination for those who wants to immerse in an authentic Najd heritage experience, visitors can enjoy the view of the old Diriyah skyline while roaming the beautifully-landscaped gardens complete with waterways and fountains or wander around the square appreciating the structures built in Najd architecture.
FOR THE ADVENTURE FANS
People outside Saudi Arabia may think that living in the Kingdom is boring. Little did they know that this country is not only rich with oil and minerals, but also blessed with natural beauty where exciting activities take place.
RED SAND
The scarlet dune of Red Sand located in Northeastern Riyadh is one of the most popular weekend destinations in the capital. Witness the dramatic effect of the sunrise gleaming on the sand dunes when visiting this place early in the morning. Quad bikes are available for rent at affordable prices so people can traverse the vast desert and enjoy a thrilling desert adventure. The cinematic landscape could also be admired while strolling around or just simply laying on the soft sand. It has become a favorite among expatriates due to its accessibility and Instagram-worthy topography.
AIN HEET CAVE
One of Riyadh’s greatest surprises is a natural wonder that holds a gift deep within. Ain Heet Cave is situated in the face of Mount Al Jubayl in Wadi Al Sulay, a 40-km drive from Riyadh’s city center. The entrance of the cave resembles the shape of an eye, thus the name “Ain”, which literally translates to “eye”. The entrance looks scary from the outside and the descent to its interior chambers is a treacherous task due to the steep hike and loose rocks. However, you will be rewarded with an underground lake when you successfully reach the bottom. The depth of the pool is 30 meters and makes it a perfect spot for a dip and cave diving.
HIDDEN CANYON
Mother nature has tucked away a gorgeous destination 130 km away from Riyadh’s city center. Millions of years ago, numerous tectonic activities have cut deep into the earth’s surface over a long period of time and the water pressure from a running river created a deep, narrow channel that has formed an amazing gorge in the middle of the Saudi desert. It is now popularly known as “The Hidden Canyon”. A two-hour drive to Al-Dulum is worth it once its sublime beauty has come to sight. The turquoise waters running down the deep ravine entices everyone to swim, and the escarpment that has been sculpted by earth’s forces will amaze everyone.
EDGE OF THE WORLD
An expedition that would complete a Khaliji escapade is a hike to the majestic “Edge of the World” that has attracted travelers from around the globe. It is not just a must-visit place in Riyadh but also in the entire Gulf. Approximately 180 km northeast of Riyadh, the two-hour drive to this amazing destination is a rough journey but you will be rewarded with the most amazing views! A trek through the escarpment will lead to a rock-framed “window” that bestows a magnificent panoramic view of the infinite plains and valleys below the 300-meter colossal cliffs. Different wild bird species flying above, various desert insects crawling on the ground, and raw mineral deposits complement this nature trip. Surprisingly, fossilized corals are also abundant in the vicinity for the entirety of the place was once submerged in the ocean waters over 50 million years ago.
While most people are busy exploring other parts of the world. It is high time to discover the beauty of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After all, to find beauty in unexpected places at any given opportunity is one of life’s rarest gifts and making the most out of the place where we are planted is an advantage.
