Kingdom Centre
The place to see and be seen in Riyadh is at the
remarkable Kingdom Centre, the fifth tallest building in Saudi
Arabia, owned by a Saudi prince and built to an unusual elliptical
award-winning design. The 99-storey colossus is the world's third
largest building with a hole that visitors can walk across on the
sky-bridge on the highest floor.
Besides containing modern offices, apartments, the
Four Seasons Hotel and a fitness club, the Kingdom Centre also
houses a state-of-the art three-level shopping mall with more than
160 stores, anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue and Debenhams department
stores. The centre also boasts dozens of world-class international
restaurants.
Address:
Al-Urubah Road, between King Fahd Road and Olaya Street,
in the Olaya business district
Kingdom Centre
BroadArrow
The National Museum
This museum, chief among the numerous museums in
Riyadh, is truly worth visiting. Incorporating local art, religion,
and culture that explore the diverse and intriguing history of the
Arabian kingdoms, the National Museum sees many visitors each year.
Artefacts such as ancient documents, furniture, weapons and more,
dating as far back as the Stone Age, are on display. Unlike most
attractions in Riyadh, the museum charges a small entrance fee.
Other city museums worth visiting are the King
Abdulaziz Military Museum and the Museum of Antiquities and
Folklore.
Address:
King Abdul Aziz, Historical Center
Opening time:
Saturday to Thursday 8am-8pm, Friday
4pm-8pm.
National Museum
Sammy Six
Al Masmak Castle
The clay and mud brick fort of the Masmak Fort is an important
landmark and heritage site in the centre of Riyadh. Built around
1865, the site is associated with the foundation of the Saudi
Arabian kingdom as the original stronghold of King Mohammed bin
Abdullah bin Rasheed. The castle was the setting of the Idn Saud's
legendary raid in 1902, where a spear was hurled at the main
entrance with such force that the head is still intact in the main
arch. Visitors can explore its impressive rooms, pillared mosque,
gate, watchtowers, and well.
Address:
3153 Al Thumairi St, Ad Dirah, 6937
Opening time:
Sunday to Thursday 8am-12pm, 4pm-9pm, Friday
4pm-7.30pm, Saturday 9am-12am
Al Musmak Castle
Baptiste Marcel
Al Murabba’a Historical Palace
Just outside the original city walls, is the
spectacular Al Murabba'a Historical Palace. Built in the early
1900s, the palace originally functioned as the private
accommodation for the king of Saudi Arabia.
Now a principal component of the King Abdulaziz
Darat, an institute and library devoted to preserving Arabian
history, the palace has been preserved as a living example of
Arabian royal life in days gone by and is a site history lovers
enjoy year after year. On the ground floor are the guard's room and
storerooms, while upstairs visitors can view the reception salons,
political offices, and private apartments.
Address:
Khazzan Street
Opening time:
Weekly 8am-3pm, closed on weekends.
Al Murabba'a Historical Palace
courtyard
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City of old Diriyah
The ruins of the historically significant city of Diriyah,
statuesque and silent in the desert about 12 miles (20km) northwest
of Riyadh city centre, provide an interesting excursion. The city,
originally the stronghold of the powerful Saud family, was the site
of an important Islamic reform movement in around 1745, when two
influential imams called for the people to return to the true faith
and abandon heresy, polytheism, and superstition. In its heyday,
the city was the biggest in the Arab Peninsula, but was overtaken
by Riyadh after being destroyed by the Turks in the early 19th
century. The ruins of many of the mud-brick buildings remain to be
explored.
Opening time:
Saturday to Thursday 8am-6pm, 3am-6pm on
Fridays.
The mosque of Mohammad Bin Abdul Wahab at Old
Diriyyah in Riyadh
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Conditions in Riyadh are typically dry and hot, but the city
does receive about four inches (102mm) of rain a year, most of it
falling between January and April. In summer, hot winds can send
temperatures soaring up to 113°F (45°C). In winter it can be
surprisingly chilly, dropping down to 50°F (10°C), and at night
temperatures can plunge below freezing. The best months in Riyadh,
when days are pleasantly tolerable and nights are cool, are between
October and April.
Middle Eastern fare might dominate the dining out scene in
Riyadh, but there has been an increase in international eateries
springing up in recent years, creating even more choice for avid
foodies. Now, everything from spicy Indian food to good old
American favourites like cheeseburgers and fries are on offer. Head
to Tahlia Street for both fine dining and cheap eateries where the
bright lights and catchy slogans of fast-food outlets like
McDonald's and KFC line the street too. Many travellers will opt to
dine at their hotel restaurant where many of the five-star eateries
are owned by celebrity chefs and provide a one of a kind dining
experience. Travellers should note that these hotel restaurants
have done away with segregation between men and women, as well as
the family section but they should not be alarmed if they come
across this in other restaurants. A service charge is usually
included in restaurant bill, but a tip of 10 percent is the
norm.
King Khalid International Airport
Location: The airport is situated 22 miles (35km) from Riyadh city
centre.
Time: Local time is GMT +3.
Transfer Between Terminals:
The terminals are linked by moving walkways.
Getting to the city:
Terminal 5 is connected to the Metro Yellow Line which runs to
King Abdullah Financial District. Free shuttles ferry passengers to
nearby hotels and prepaid airport taxis are available for transport
to the city.
Car Rental:
Car rental counters are located in the lobby and include Hertz
and several local companies. Women are allowed to drive but cannot
travel with a man unless they are related.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available at the airport. Fares into downtown Riyadh
will never be less than SAR 70. A trip from King Khalid Airport to
downtown Riyadh takes 30 minutes. However, scammers and touts will
try to charge tourists up to SAR 200, which is grossly overpriced.
It is recommended that visitors have the address of their
destination written in Arabic.
Facilities:
Facilities include restaurants, bars, and cafeterias, banks and
ATMs, a first aid clinic, various shopping opportunities, currency
exchange, and visitor information. A mosque is located in the
centre of the passenger terminal. Facilities for the disabled are
good.
Parking
Two multi-level garages are located directly in front of the
passenger terminals, on either side of the mosque, which are
connected to the terminals by walkways.
Riyadh Motor Show
The Riyadh Motor Show is the oldest and most influential motor
show in the region. The top manufacturers from around the world
display their latest designs to the largest market in the Middle
East. Exhibited are innovations in hybird, electrical, high-tech
and fuel economy cars. It usually draws around 100,000 automotive
consumers under one roof as the event runs concurrently with Saudi
Autoshop.
Venue:
Riyadh Exhibition Centre
Motor Show
Jaguar MENA
Hajj
Haj is considered the duty of every able Muslim: a pilgrimage to
Mecca, the holiest city where the Prophet Mohammed was born. It is
the fifth and final pillar of Islam, guided by the prophet, where
each year roughly two million devout Muslims take the journey. The
pilgrims, or hajjis, wear white as a symbol of their purity and
equality throughout the occasion whereupon all gather around the
Great Mosque in Mecca to walk seven times around the Kabah shrine
before kissing it, in one of the most famous displays of religious
duty in the entire world. It is almost impossible for non-Muslim's
to partake in the event as they are not allowed in Mecca, although
many have tried and succeeded over the years, including famous
explorer Sir Richard Burton.
Venue:
Mecca
Supplicating Pilgrim at Masjid Al
Haram
Ali Mansuri
Taxis (white in colour) are the best option for
travelling around the city and can be booked through hotels or
hired directly off the street. Fares are reasonable and the taxis
are metered. If the taxi is not metered, the fare can be negotiated
and can often be cheaper than using the meter. Try to have your
address in Arabic if possible as many taxi drivers do not
understand English.
Car hire is also possible, but driving can be a
little daunting, despite the deceptively easy-looking wide roads.
Directional road signs tend to have English translations but street
signs are in Arabic only. Some traffic rules differ from those in
the West, and penalties for speeding or reckless driving are
severe.
Public transport is available to a limited degree,
consisting of minibuses which ply a few routes and usually operate
for men only. Buses that do admit women have a screened off area,
separating them from the men.
Riyadh is predominantly considered to be a business
destination. However, the city is a fascinating blend of
traditional Wahhabi culture and modern development, and as such
there are plenty of interesting things to see and do in Saudi
Arabia's capital.
Riyadh is home to a number of historical sites,
including the Al Masmak Castle, the City of Old Diriyah, and the Al
Murabba'a Historical Palace. No doubt history buffs will pay each
of these a visit. Although Saudi Arabia is famous for its
oppressive heat, there are opportunities for outdoor activity in
Riyadh, including golf, 4x4 desert trips (also known as 'dune
bashing'), and football.
These are must-sees on any trip to Riyadh, but
visitors should be aware that most attractions keep hours vastly
different to Western businesses; they open briefly in the morning,
and then again from mid-afternoon to late evening, and are closed
on Fridays or Saturdays. Women may only visit during designated
'family hours' so it is best to check ahead of visiting to avoid
disappointment.