Whether you’re in the mood for history and heritage, want to see nature at its best, fancy an adrenaline-fuelled adventure or are keen to simply relax in stunning surrounds, you need to get acquainted with the best tours from Riyadh, taking you out to discover the capital city’s surrounding lands.
Here are some of the most adventurous expeditions and a selection of the best tours from Riyadh right now.
Admire the Al Qasab Salt Flats
For a taste (potentially quite literally), of a lesser-known spot, a journey out to the ancient city of Al Qasab, located around 150 kilometres north of Riyadh, to see the salt flats is just the ticket. There’s something quietly beautiful and really rather mesmerising about being surrounded by a sea of white salt ‘snow’ while standing in the middle of the desert. One of the best tours from Riyadh right now.
To drive out to Al Qasab Salt Flats, follow these Google Map coordinates: 25.2538266,45.5493504.
Experience real Saudi cooking at Najd Village Restaurant
When eating out in Riyadh, you can enjoy everything from local street eats to global fast-food, dine in high-end restaurants or try uber trendy local start-ups. Okay, so it’s not technically an excursion, but if you want to sample traditional Saudi cooking at its finest and take your tastebuds on a culinary tour of the Kingdom’s most loved dishes at the same time, Najd Village Restaurant is the place to do it. A meal here is pleasingly authentic; local chefs prepare dishes according to time honoured tradition and diners are invited to sit on the carpeted floor surrounded by cushions to eat. If you’re stuck for what to the order, the kabsa (arguably Saudi’s national dish) is excellent.
Sat-Thu noon-12.30am, Fri 1.30am-12.30pm. najdvillage.com (920 033 511).
Get acquainted with Diriyah
Although Diriyah is currently ongoing a massive transformation as part of one Saudi’s giga-projects, it’s still well worth taking the time to visit ahead of the opening. Thanks to once being the epicentre for culture and commerce in the region, Diriyah is widely considered to be Riyadh’s historic centre and boasts a number of heritage areas including the At-Turaif district, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. An organised tour of Diriyah typically includes a visit to the architecturally impressive Al Rajhi Grand Mosque as well as a trip to the famous Kingdom Tower (the tallest building in the city) and the chance to step out on Sky Bridge and take in the panoramic views. A number of different tour operators provide organised tours of Diriyah, such as Inspirock.
inspirock.com.
Go on a quad biking safari at Red Sands
For full on engine-revving, brake-squealing, adrenalin-fuelled exhilaration, a couple of hours spent scaling the dunes known as Red Sands on quad bikes is enough to leave even the most adventurous thrill seekers sated. Known as the Hidden Valley and set against the Tuwaiq Mountains, this stunning spot is 80 kilometres from Riyadh and is as popular with locals as it is with tourists. If quad biking doesn’t appeal, you can opt to relax on the sand instead and take advantage of what is a great photo opportunity. A number of different tour operators provide desert safari trips from Riyadh. Saudi Arabia Tours comes highly recommended.
Daily 5am. saudiarabiatours.net (055 8018 938).
Relax at Wadi Namar
A visit to the pristine Wadi Namar is an excellent option for not-so-intrepid explorers – we’re talking about those who might be venturing out on their own for the first time or have young children in tow. This unspoilt area has tranquil, back-to-nature vibes galore; there’s a dam, expansive lake and impressive waterfall, as well as shaded areas for picnicking and pathways for running, cycling or hiking. The on-site amenities and proximity to the city meanwhile prevent it from feeling too far off the beaten track. To add a dose of culture to your trip, the weekend Sunset History Tours run as part of the Riyadh Art public art initiative involve a walking tour of the wadi and visit to the nearby Noor Riyadh artwork installations at the golden hour.
65 Utaiqah, Riyadh 12673, riyadhart.sa/en/events/sunset-history-tour.
Spot fauna at Nofa Wildlife Park
If you want to take a walk on the wild side, head to Nofa Wildlife Park. It certainly won’t disappoint, and feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. A safari tour through the secluded nature reserve offers incredible sights abound as your vehicle treks across open planes dotted with grazing giraffes and bounding impala, luxuriating pygmy hippos, lumbering elephants, Grévy’s zebras and more. A wander around the on-site wildlife centre also comes recommended thanks to the array of native and exotic birds and reptiles. Entry by reservation only.
Exit 857, New Mecca Highway, Riyadh 11576, nofaresorts.com, safaris@nofaresort.com (059 3255 918).
Stand on the Edge of the World
It doesn’t sound more dramatic than this: stand on the Edge of the World. A trip to the unexpected geological wonder, also known as Jebel Fihrayn, doesn’t disappoint. Towering, craggy cliffs rise majestically out of the sand and the uninterrupted views of the barren horizon really do give a sense of being on the periphery of nothingness. Unless you’re an experienced off-roader (a 4×4 is a must), it’s well worth seeking out a tour guide to take you here. Tours typically include pick up and drop off and allow plenty of time for exploring as well as dinner and entertainment at an on-site camp. A number of different tour operators provide tours out to the Edge of the World, such as Riyadh Hiking.
Daily 2.30pm. riyadhhiking.com (055 4508 867).
Swim in Heet Cave
Located at the face of Mount Al Jubayl, Heet Cave promises (and delivers) hidden treasure within. It does take a bit of effort to descend the layers of sedimentary rock that line the walls of Ain Heet (Ain meaning eye and alluding to the shape of the cave entrance), but the reward lies at the bottom in the form of a beautiful, crystal-clear lake.
Depending on your level of experience, you can simply enjoy a swim and splash around, take a snorkel and mask or even don full scuba diving gear and explore deeper. The lake itself is around 150 metres in length and estimated to be 30 metres deep.
Given the steepness of the descent and the rocky nature underfoot, Heet Cave is not suitable for young children. Wearing rubber soled shoes – and proceeding with care – is essential. A number of different tour operators provide organised tours out to Heet Cave, such as Muwemet.
Daily 8am. musement.com (WhatsApp +39 393 8611983).
Take a step back in time at Ushaiger Heritage Village
While there is much to love about the fast-paced modern metropolis of Riyadh, there’s also a lot to be said for taking the time to embrace a slower pace of life. A tour of Ushaiger Heritage Village allows visitors to do exactly that, while simultaneously experiencing ancient Arabia.
The sprawling village of Ushaiger is inhabited by the Bedouin descendants of those who settled in the area 1,500 years ago and the place itself remains for the most part untouched by modern life. Visitors can explore the village’s narrow streets, winding alleyways and criss-cross pathways, admire the distinctive Najdi architecture and even step inside some of the unoccupied mud houses. A stop off at the nearby Al Salem Museum gives you the chance to learn more about the history of the area directly from village residents. A number of different tour operators provide trips to Ushaiger Heritage Village from Riyadh such as Saudi Arabia Tours.
Daily 8am. saudiarabiatours.net (055 8018 938).
