Welcome to Riyadh, a fast-growing city that is bursting with fun activities for the family, couples and solo travellers. Whether you love historical sites or are drawn to new attractions, Saudi Arabia’s capital combines heritage and cool like no other city.
What better place to start than the birthplace of Saudi Arabia – the UNESCO World Heritage Site, At Turaif in Diriyah. If you’re a history lover, this was once the ancient capital of the Kingdom and where the Al Saud family once resided.
Right now, no trip to Riyadh is complete without visiting Riyadh Season. The jam-packed festival has returned and is bigger than ever – there are more than 350 theatre shows, 70 Arabic plays and 100 interactive experiences. The festival has already welcomed global superstars, from the singer Pitbull to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan.
Riyadh Season has 14 zones, which are essentially areas filled with special events throughout the festivals. One of the top attractions at Riyadh Season is Winter Wonderland, which is brimming with fun for all the family.
Let the children (and your inner child) run wild and embrace the fairground experience, as there are classic rides from a giant Ferris wheel to a carousel. Scare yourself silly on the world’s largest mobile sky loop, go for a spin on the ice rink or feel festive at the chalet-style stores and street food stalls.
Riyadh Boulevard is a hotspot for restaurants and shops, but during Riyadh Season it is buzzing with one-off activities, from a Snow Dome to the Crystal Maze Experience. The interactive gaming experience, which is based on the popular UK TV show, tests your wits and your physicality – who doesn’t want to end up in a dome and collect flying (fake) money?
If you’re after a destination where you can spend all day and night, make a beeline for hip hotspots like Riyadh Front or U Walk, which have amazing things to do all year long.
Riyadh Front has swanky shops, VOX cinema and restaurants, which include the new David Burke KSA and the organic Urth Caffe. U Walk is popular on weekends with families as it has a long stretch of cafes, restaurants, ice cream parlours and a Muvi cinema. It also recently welcomed the social media star, Salt Bae, who bought his restaurant Nur-Et to the capital.
Riyadh’s past is celebrated across the capital’s museums. The National Museum of Saudi Arabia has exhibits from rock art to a replica of old Jeddah, and Saqr Al Jazirah Museum shares the history of the Royal Saudi Air Force from the 1920s to the present day.
Riyadh is truly a modern metropolitan with architectural wonders alongside gorgeous greenery. Families and groups will love the outdoor spaces, which are best enjoyed during the winter months. Wadi Hanifa is popular with locals and expats, as you will spot people going for a walk, run or cycle, as they admire the fishing lake and mountain views.
No trip to Saudi Arabia is complete without visiting the desert, which makes a memorable road trip for families and groups. Whether you want to go swimming in Heet Cave, micro flying over Thumamah or quad biking at Red Sands, there are plenty of companies, from Riyadh Hiking to Saudidzen, offering activities and tours.
One of the most impressive spots is the fittingly titled Edge of the World, which is a ninety-minute drive from Riyadh. The jaw-dropping views of the cliffs are so spectacular, even your best Insta-shots won’t do the site justice. Riyadh has it all, so get ready to be wowed and charmed by the history and modernity of Saudi Arabia’s capital.
