Places to visit in Riyadh

The capital of Saudi Arabia and the largest city of the Kingdom, Riyadh is the main financial and commercial hub of the country. Home to over 5 million people, Riyadh has plenty of attractions and spots to suit everyone. A fun fact about Riyadh is that the largest female-only university in the world is located here. Some of the best places to visit in Riyadh are:

Masmak Fort

Located in the centre of the city, the Masmak Fort was built in 1865 by the then Prince of Riyadh, Abdulrahman ibn Sulaiman ibn Dabaan. The fort is an important monument in the history of the Kingdom as the Battle of Riyadh led by King Abdul-Aziz for the unification of the country was fought in the area of the fort. The fort was later restored in 1995 and has become a popular choice of tourist destinations for visitors of the country.

Equestrian Club of Riyadh

Located on the outskirts of Riyadh, near Al-Janadriyah region, Equestrian Club of Riyadh was established to preserve the Middle Eastern culture of thoroughbred horse racing. The club has two distinct racetracks and the races take place every Friday. The club is opened to all and the entry to the racetrack is free. A popular choice among expats, it is one of the few ‘Abaya free’ zones in Saudi Arabia.

National Museum of Riyadh

The national museum of Riyadh is one of the most educative and informative places that should be on the list of ‘must-visit places’ for tourists visiting Riyadh. The Museum is a great place to learn about the historic past, culture and the development of the nation before the discovery of oil. The museum has a large exhibit on the Hajj, including several artefacts and recovered national antiquities that explain the pre-Islamic period and Prophet Muhammad’s revelation.

Edge of the World

The Edge of the World is a natural limestone slope in the central Najd region of Saudi Arabia. The place is also called the rock-framed window because the cliffs overlook endless steep valleys and the surrounding lowlands.

The Riyadh National Zoo

The largest among all zoos in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Zoo has an area of 55 acres that is home to more than 1500 animals of 40 species. Located in the Malaz district of Riyadh, this zoo is one of the most-visited attractions of Saudi Arabia.