Riyadh in the Nafud Desert

Saudi Arabia takes up most of the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea and Persian (Arabian) Gulf as coastlines. Officially it is known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is known as the birthplace of Islam and is home to the cities of Mecca and Medina. Riyadh the capital is the main financial hub and sits on a desert plateau. It has many amazing modern buildings that offer spectacular views of the city.

Boulevard City opened in 2019. It is a permanent zone in the city with subzones. Here you can find restaurants, cafes, and entertainment venues. The zone hosts concerts and sports events.

For art lovers, there's JAX District home to more than 100 warehouses. You can find art exhibitions, visual installations, performances, and music.

Masmak Fortress is completely surrounded by sand and was built around 1865. This fort was the site of Ibn Saud’s 1902 raid at which time a spear was thrown at the main entrance door and the head of the spear is still lodged there by the force. Some of the highlights here include maps and interesting photos of Saudi Arabia from 1912 to 1937. These are displayed in galleries that have been converted from diwans or living rooms.

Al Faisaliah Tower was designed by British architect Norman Foster and was built in 2000. It is famous for its enormous glass globe made of 655 glass panels near the top. It has 44 floors including a five-star deluxe hotel, four exclusive restaurants, offices, apartments, the Sky shopping mall, and an awesome viewing platform – Globe Experience. The needlepoint pinnacle has a crescent tip and rises 267m above the ground.

The National Museum is a state-of-the-art museum and one of the finest in the Middle East. It offers two floors of eight well-designed and informative galleries that give visitors a look into Arabian history, culture, and art. You can see films in English through headphones and see the films shown on 180-degree screens. There are also great interactive displays.

Salwa Palace is a historical landmark. The palace highlights a crucial time in the history of the Kingdom. Today there is a museum here with many different artifacts.

Located in the historic area of Diriyah, Turaif is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to many of the popular tourist attractions in Riyadh such as Salwa Palace. The area is part of the larger Diriyah Gate complex which highlights the history of Saudi Arabian life. There's a labyrinth of old mud houses and alleyways. At the top, you can get great views over the city.

Riyadh Zoo is the largest zoo in Saudi Arabia which started in 1957. At first, it was a small zoo that was home to animals that had been gifted to members of the Al Saud ruling clan. After renovation, it reopened in 1987, and among its highlights is the Houbara bustard. This bird is almost extinct in the wild in Saudi Arabia. Opening hours vary with prayer times. Children can take mini train rides.

The zoo is located in the heart of Malaz in Riyadh and has over 1500 animals from 40 different species. At the gates, the flamingos will welcome you and are a great attraction. All of the animals are living in natural habitats. You can see Bengal tigers which are also an endangered species native to India. At the Australian bush, you can see kangaroos and emus.

Owais Souq is an Arabian market that has many great flea-market stalls and you can buy anything from gold jewelry to beautiful fabrics. It’s a great place to bargain.

Kingdom Center is a landmark tower in Riyadh and an amazing piece of modern architecture.

It rises 302m high and its most distinctive feature is the steel-and-glass 300-ton Sky Bridge that connects the two towers. High-speed elevators take you up to the 99th floor where you can get spectacular views.

Other important landmarks include the Clock Tower

The Water Tower

King Abdullah Park stretches for more than 318,000 square meters and is the largest park of its kind in the Kingdom. A 12-meter-wide pedestrian pathway takes you around the lovely landscaped hills and greenery. Here you’ll find several children’s playgrounds, sports areas, shaded areas, and a big restaurant. There is a spacious square overlooking the lake.

The lake features the park’s main attraction as the sun goes down – dancing water fountains with colorful lights. There are benches scattered all through the park and you can even have a picnic if you like. Other facilities include an events center, a VIP building, and the park exploratory.

ROSHN Front is one of the top places to visit in Riyadh. There are outdoor and indoor walkways with famous restaurants, coffee shops, and dessert places. It is also the place for shopping.