Riyadh, which means ‘the garden’ in Arabic, is the capital of Saudi Arabia. It used to be a desert trading route but is now one of the richest cities in the world. Many people flock to the capital city for its fascinating appeal. There is a lot to do, see and eat. Below are the top five places you must visit when on a trip to Riyadh.
Sky Bridge at Kingdom Centre
The best place to see Riyadh from above is on the 99th floor of the Kingdom Tower, especially at night. This tower is the third tallest skyscraper in Riyadh (which makes you wonder how tall the other skyscrapers are!) and has a 56-metre sky bridge which you can walk across to take in the views.
Check Out Al Masmak Fort
Visiting Al Masmak Fort is a very interesting experience. This clay and mud-brick castle was where the recapture of Riyadh took place in 1902. The castle has now turned into a museum with exhibitions of traditional Saudi houses and old photos of the kingdom. This is a good place to visit if you are on a budget, as entrance is free.
Venture Out To the ‘Edge of the World’
Drive out 90 kilometres north of Riyadh in a 4x4 vehicle to see this amazing rock formation. The location is at the Acacia Valley and is a popular place for trekking. You can stand and look down into the valley below and it literally makes you feel like you are on the ‘edge of the world’. A lot of Saudi’s believe that thousands of years ago, this place was the bottom of an ocean.
Quad Biking In the Red Sand Dunes
You haven’t really experienced Saudi Arabia if you don’t go driving or quad biking in the sand dunes. Around 45 minutes from Riyadh are the Red Sand Dunes where it is possible to rent at ATV and enjoy a picnic or barbecue in the surrounding sands. It can get very hot, so the best times to go are in the morning or later in the afternoon.
Discover the History of Riyadh at the National Museum
The National Museum of Riyadh is sectioned into eight areas: Which are Man and the Universe, Arabian Kingdom, The Pre-Islamic Era, The Prophet’s Mission, Islam and the Arabian Peninsula, First and Second Saudi States, The Unification and The Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques. Audio guides are available in both Arabic and English and it truly is the best way to find out about Riyadh’s and Saudi Arabia’s rich history.
