Top 10 Tourist Places in Riyadh : Destinations, Forts and More

You may have a once-in-a-lifetime experience of admiring stunning examples of architectural wonders, charming natural beauty, and amazing views of the expansive desert at the tourist places in Riyadh. Al Thumama Desert is renowned for presenting stunning views of nature as well as adventure sports like quad biking, whilst the Masmak Fortress is famed for its unusual and mysterious Heet caverns. The most incredible way to appreciate Riyadh’s beauty is to gaze upon the exotic animals in the zoo and the great works of art at World Sights Park.

Tourist Places in Riyadh

Visit the expansive Olaya Park in Riyadh, well-known for its verdant and lush nature, to discover the captivating tourist attractions. You may also go to the Al Murabba Palace, which is perched at a high 980 metres above the ground and offers visitors a fascinating tour of Islamic art and a memorable eating experience. You may photograph the mesmerising views of the Riyadh Skyline from the Kingdom Centre Tower while you are there. You may also travel to the Wadi Hanifa to take in the charming natural setting that is dotted with lakes, waterfalls, and sand dunes and provides a picturesque background.

Here is a list of Top 10 Tourist Places in Riyadh

Although Riyadh has served as the capital of the Saudi Kingdom since its founding in 1901, several of its forts and archaeological monuments date back more than a thousand years. Let’s Explore!

1. Al Masmak Fortress

Al Masmak Fortress is located in the heart of Riyadh and is considered to be an essential part of the historical significance and a symbol of unification in Saudi Arabia. The fortress is an essential piece of Saudi heritage and has been transformed into a museum. This is one of the most distinctive tourist places in Riyadh.

Timings: Sunday to Thursday 8 am – 9 pm; Friday 4pm – 8 pm; and Saturday 9 am – 8 pm
Location: Qasr al-Masmak, Al Imam Turki ibn Abdullah ibn Muhammad, Diryah

2. UNESCO Heritage Site: At-Turaif

Diriyah’s historical center is the UNESCO-listed site of At-Turaif, which was founded in the 15th century. It is the original seat of power of Saudi Arabia’s Al Saud family and contains ruins of mud-brick houses connected by narrow alleyways. The site has not been open to the public since it gained its UNESCO designation in 2010. The redevelopment of the area will enable people to walk through the ruins as well as the myriad museums and other spaces found inside.

Timings: 5 pm – 12 am
Location: Wadi Hanifah, Al Traif, Diriyah

3. Riyadh Zoo

The Riyadh Zoo, which is the biggest zoo in Saudi Arabia, is one of the well-liked tourist destinations in Riyadh for both residents and visitors. When it was founded in 1957, the Zoo was a little enterprise that only housed the few animals gifted to the first three Kings of the Kingdom. The Riyadh Zoo has grown into an explosive event today. It is home to more than 40 different animal species, all of which are kept in habitat-like displays. It is one of the best places to go in Riyadh with family.

Timings:

Days Reserved for Men:

Monday: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Wednesday: 8:30 pm – 12:00 pm

Days Reserved for Women:

Tuesday: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Thursday: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Days Reserved for Families:

Wednesday, Thursday: 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Friday: After Jummah Prayer – 6:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Ticket Price:

For 12 years and above – SAR 10.50

For children below 12 years of age – SAR 2.5
Train ticket price at Malaz Zoo – SAR 2

Location: Mosab Ibn Umair St, Al Ahsa, Al Malaz

4. King Abdullah Park

King Abdullah Park is the biggest park in the city and was once a horse racetrack where several horse racing competitions were held. Additionally, it hosts open events like the Saudi National Day celebration, which has fireworks before midnight. The park has a huge dancing water feature and an artificial lake, and it frequently fills with people during Eid celebrations. Additionally, there is a sizable pedestrian corridor, and several walkways surround the fountain.

Timings: Monday to Saturday; 1 pm to 12 am
Ticket Price: 9 SAR for adults and 4.5 SAR for children
Location: Al Ameen Abdullah Al Ali Al Naeem St, Al Malaz

5. Riyadh Front

Riyadh Front defies your sense of time! Spend hours jumping between exhibitions, events, and games that will curb your boredom. The location is always bustling with tourists exploring a great opportunity to shop in Riyadh. Further, the Front is famous to house some of the top businesses in the city and provides places to conduct business with a large audience.

Location: 3718, 8793 – King Khalid International Airport

6. Kingdom Centre

The Kingdom Centre in Riyadh is Saudi Arabia’s fifth-largest tower. It was created as a joint project between a US-based and Riyadh architecture firms. Prince Al Waleed bin Talal designed the centre, including notable financial structures and shopping malls. The shopping centre is exclusively for women and features fashion and home décor shops that appeal to young people. The sky bridge located on the 50th floor in the Kingdom Tower offers stunning views day and night. This bridge is one of the best places to visit in Riyadh at night.

7. Wadi Namar

One of the most well-liked places to go in Riyadh can be found in the picturesque green oasis of Wadi Namar, which is tucked away on Riyadh’s southern outskirts. The Wadi Namar waterfall, a charming slight fall that draws people back to it, is tucked away just above Wadi Lake. The falls are year-round and include a cascade that descends at a consistent rate. Even though it is impossible to hike on these rocks, the falls provide a lovely background for picnics. The falls are one of the best places to visit in Riyadh during summer.

Suggested Read: 11 Best Cafes In Riyadh For A Delicious Food Experience

8. Ringing Lake

The stunning Ringing Bird Lake is a unique natural scene frequently referred to as a replica of Niagara Falls. The bird lake is one of the most alluring natural wonders with a lovely backdrop to admire since it is also surrounded by verdant and lush flora and sand dunes. This is one of Riyadh’s tourist places.

Ringing Bird Lake, often referred to as Lake Park by locals, is without a doubt Riyadh’s best park, a hidden gem in the city, and a tranquil haven. This attraction offers a wide variety of locations for picnics. This is one of the best places to go in Riyadh at night for stargazing.

9. King Abdullah Economic District

A vibrant tourist attraction, King Abdullah Economic City is a contemporary city located 100 kilometres north of Jeddah along the Red Sea coast. KAEC’s main attraction is based mostly on leisure, even though it was designed in 2005 to draw in foreign business. In addition, a motorsports park is being constructed as part of the recently constructed Lagoona recreational complex.

International competitions are played at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, one of the most famous golf courses in the Middle East. Another important attraction is the large waterfront, which can be enjoyed all year long due to the desert environment of KAEC, which averages 28 degrees C. Yam Beach, with its smooth sand and a variety of water sports, is one of the beaches along the waterfront.

10. Boulevard Riyadh

Boulevard Riyadh City is one of the largest zones in the season. This year, the sub-areas are three times as large, and each one has its own unique line-up of attractions, eateries, activities, events, and retail establishments.

Location: Prince Turki Ibn Abdulaziz Al Awwal Road, Hittin

Riyadh is not only famous for its tourist places but its world-class hotels and dining. Riyadh is one of the best cities in Saudi to enjoy a luxurious stay.

Here is a list of the top 10 hotels for night stay in Riyadh:

VOCO
Crown Plaza
Hilton Riyadh
Novotel Riyadh
Park Inn by Radisson
Al Mashriq Hotel
Ibis
Radisson Blu DQ
Baira Qurtubah
Ritz Carlton

Suggested Read: Tourism in Saudi Arabia

Tourist Places in Riyadh FAQ’s

1. What are the best hotels to spend a night in Riyadh?

Ans. Following are the hotels:
1. Radisson Blu Hotel
2. Hilton Garden Inn
3. Crowne Plaza
4. Best Western Plus Fursan Hotel

2. What are the best resorts in Riyadh?

Ans. Following are the resorts:
1. Ritz Carlton
2. The Valley Resort
3. Durrat Al Riyadh
4 . Dorat Najd Resort
5. Goot Resorts

3. What is the best time to visit Riyadh?

Ans. The best time to visit Riyadh is in the winter, from November to March. The winter months of December through February are pretty chilly, with highs of 79.9°F (26.6°C) and 64.9°F (18.3°C).

4. How many days are enough to explore Riyadh?

Ans. If you want to immerse yourself in the culture and want to explore Riyadh like a local, plan at least a week in Riyadh.

5. Which are best tourist places in Riyadh?

Ans. Riyadh Zoo, Kingdom Center, At Turaif, Diriyah are some of the top tourist places in Riyadh.

6. Are there any park in Riyadh?

Ans. Yes, King Abdullah Park and Wadi Namar Dam park are some of the top parks in Riyadh

Ravinder Babbar