Place

Diriyah

Located northwest of Riyadh on the western bank of Wadi Hanifah, Diriyah is an ancient historic town dating to the middle of the ninth Hijri century. Mani’ bin Rabi’ah Al Muraydi, a relative of Ibn Dir’, the ruler of Hajr Al Yamamah, founded Ghusaybah, Diriyah’s oldest neighbourhood. The town continued to grow and expand because of its important geographical position in the centre of the Arabian Peninsula. In the middle of the twelfth Hijri century, Imam Muhammad bin Abd Al Wahhab arrived in Diriyah and found in the Al Saud family, especially Imam Muhammad bin Saud, a strong supporter and ally for the call to reform and revival of the Prophetic Sunnah. Thus God willed Diriyah to become a centre of guidance and the starting point of a firmly established state.

City guide

Overview & visitor information

The best-known part of old Diriyah is Al Turaif, which was the seat of the ruling family. Diriyah’s walls, interspersed with defensive forts, were built during the reign of Imam Abd Al Aziz bin Muhammad bin Saud to fend off those seeking to seize Diriyah. The walls total about 7 km in length. The main wall was built to its full height in stone, using small stone chips to balance the larger stones, and coated with a layer of mud plaster.

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Caravan Road (Aba Al Qid)

Attraction

It lies among the folds of the Tuwaiq mountain range, specifically 4 km south of Qusur Al Muqbil. It is a long caravan road cutting through the Tuwaiq mountains from bottom to top over a distance of 969 metres.

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Qaryat Al Faw

Attraction

"Qaryah", as it was known in the past, or Al Faw in its local name, lies about 700 km southwest of Riyadh and about 150 km southeast of Al Khamasin in Wadi Al Dawasir. It overlooks the northwestern edge of the Empty Quarter, where Wadi Al Dawasir intersects the Tuwaiq mountain range at a gap in the mountain called Al Faw. It is on the ancient trade route known as the Najran–Gerrha road. The site of "Qaryah" is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Arabian Peninsula, if not the world, as a living example of a pre-Islamic Arabian city with all its elements: homes, roads, markets, temples, tombs, wells and agricultural channels.

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Jabal Munikh Watchtower

Attraction

Munikh Fort is a castle built on a hill, Jabal Munikh, in the Sudair region, overlooking Al Majmaah from the west. On this hill stands Munikh Castle—pronounced with a damma on the m and a kasra on the n—west of the city. Its tower, the watchtower, is about eleven metres high, circular and conical, narrowing towards the top. It consists of two towers, one inside the other, with a spiral staircase between them. Its base is built of stone to a height of about two metres, above which the structure is made of mud bricks shaped in special moulds. South of this tower is another, smaller square tower, and a still smaller tower stands to the west. A wall of mud and stone surrounds the castle on the hill and connects to the wall that once enclosed the town. It was used for observation and defence and is now used to watch for floods and livestock. The tower and surrounding area have been comprehensively restored and provided with lighting, becoming a cultural and tourist landmark.

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Ushaiger Old Town

Attraction

Ushaiger lies in the Al Washm region, 210 km north of Riyadh. Administratively it belongs to Shaqra Governorate; Shaqra is its nearest city, about 15 km to its south. Ushaiger is an ancient historic town, home to the Banu Tamim tribe in the pre-Islamic era and inhabited in early Islam. It was mentioned by the poet Al Hutay’ah, who died in 45 AH. It is among the most famous towns of Najd in the medieval Islamic period, known for its many scholars and judges. The family of the reforming scholar Muhammad ibn Abd Al Wahhab, may God have mercy on him, came from it. In his book Scholars of Najd over Six Centuries, Sheikh Ibn Bassam considered it Najd’s foremost source of scholarship. Many families that spread throughout Najd and beyond trace their origins to it.

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Imam Turki Mosque

Attraction

It was built on land called Al Naq’ah in central Riyadh, where Imam Turki bin Abdullah, may God have mercy on him, ordered a congregational mosque later named after him and appointed Sheikh Abd Al Rahman bin Hassan Al Al Sheikh to it. Its proximity to several neighbourhoods and Qasr Al Hukm was considered, and it was made an institution of learning in the manner of the First Saudi State. When Imam Turki prayed Friday prayers in the Grand Mosque, he customarily left through the door south of the mihrab. This door on the mosque’s qibla side was prepared for his entry and exit, avoiding the need for the imam to step over people in the many rows. These additions took place during his rule, before and through 1241 to 1249 AH (1826–1834). His son Imam Faisal bin Turki followed in 1259 AH, rebuilding the mosque and expanding it to the east and west. He introduced Islamic ornamentation into its courtyards that was then unknown in Najd, and installed an elevated passage between the mosque and Qasr Al Hukm. New water facilities were also added, and a long covered passage supported on columns connected the mosque to the palace. The traveller Palgrave described it as a large, flat-roofed parallelogram on square wooden pillars, accommodating more than two thousand worshippers at once, largely comprising an external courtyard with room for more than two thousand as well. It had no ornamentation or other aesthetic features, and had a short minaret on the roof directly above the mihrab. King Abdulaziz took an interest in the mosque, expanded it and linked it to Qasr Al Hukm by a bridge facilitating access at prayer times, especially Friday prayers, for the king, his entourage and his servants. He also installed lighting. King Saud continued to care for the mosque, enlarging its structure, ordering new carpets and lighting and greatly increasing its area by incorporating adjoining land. During those earlier royal periods, it was built with traditional materials of mud and dried mud bricks, with roofs of palm trunks and stone slabs. Care for the mosque continued under Kings Faisal and Khalid through modern construction.

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Sadus Village

Attraction

Sadus, northwest of Riyadh, is one of the oldest human settlements in the central Arabian Peninsula. It was known as Al Qaryah and contained archaeological landmarks of great importance, perhaps foremost a striking obelisk with ancient inscriptions and writings confirming the town’s importance as an Arabian urban centre.

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Al Aflaj

Attraction

Al Aflaj lies southwest of the main Najd plateau, between the Tuwaiq mountain range to the west and the low outer escarpment of an extensive plain, about 312 km from Riyadh. One of its most important archaeological sites is Al Uyun, about 18 km from Layla. It contains a settlement covered with numerous pottery remains, a burial area and irrigation networks dating to the early Hellenistic period.

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The National Museum and Riyadh Zoo

Museum

The National Museum and Riyadh Zoo are safe bets for enjoyable places to take children and the Desert Diamond hunt is family friendly, even if it does take an entire day. The Ice Skating center is also a great distraction for the children, especially since the center also contains tennis courts, a bowling alley, and a restaurant.

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Kingdom Centre

Building

Kingdom Centre Daily 4-9 PM. Kingdom Center is situated in Al-Urubah Road between King Fahd Road and Olaya Road in the growing business district of Olaya. The Kingdom Center, opened in 2001, is currently the tallest building in Saudi Arabia with a height of 302 meters. It is Riyadh's most celebrated piece of modern architecture, and is quite a sight, especially when lit at night. The center is home to a pricey three-story shopping mall, with one floor reserved for women only, but its main highlight is the 99th-floor Sky bridge that connects the two top floors at a height of three hundred meters and gives a sublime view of the city. SR25 (Skybridge) The Kingdom Center was the winner of the 2002 Emporis Skyscraper Award selected as the "Best Skyscraper of the World for Design". A five-level shopping center, which also won a major design award, fills the east wing. The large opening is illuminated at night in continuously changing colors. Other neighborhood notables include Al Faisaliyah Center, the first skyscraper in Saudi Arabia, the King Faisal Foundation, an esteemed charity foundation, and Najd National Schools, one of the best and most prestigious schools in the country.

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The Diplomatic Quarter

Town

The Diplomatic Quarter, or DQ as it is popularly known, is home to foreign embassies and international organizations, as well as residential structures and malls. With lush gardens and numerous sports facilities, it is also one of the city's greenest areas. It is especially known for its fine architecture, and is considered a model for other Islamic cities around the world. Despite its name, the special privileges offered in the Diplomatic Quarter constitute a controversial issue. All Saudi laws must be obeyed and there are occasional patrols by the Mutaween, or Saudi religious police. However, foreign diplomats and their families are allowed certain privileges and it is not uncommon to see foreign diplomats and their wives strolling on the streets of the DQ in shorts and short-sleeve shirts. The district is also generally more walking friendly.

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Al-Shallal

The largest and best-known Shisha/Hookah/Nargila café in Riyadh is Shallal. It is an exotic complex of indoor and outdoor venues for socializing with tea, Middle Eastern snacks, and traditional water pipes.

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Al-Nakheel

Al-Nakheel, Khozama Centre 7F (next to Al-Khozama Hotel). Though widely acclaimed as the best restaurant in Saudi Arabia, Al-Nakheel’s décor is unchanged since the 1970s and is run-down rather than rustic. It offers an uninspired buffet (no a la carte menu) of the usual Arab offerings. The main clientele appear to be visitors, tour groups, and hotel guests. Dinner buffet costs SR110, not including taxes, service, or drinks.

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Sheraton Riyadh

Sheraton Riyadh offers a very rich buffet for breakfast, covering a wide spectrum of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern delicacies in addition to regular European food. The Italian restaurant in the ground floor of Sheraton Riyadh is particularly outstanding.

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The Globe

Located in Al Faisaliah Hotel is an expensive restaurant that offers both a delectable cuisine and a spectacular ambience. The restaurant is located in the golden globe that tops Al Faisaliah Tower and offers panoramic views of the city of Riyadh. The restaurant is open for lunch, dinner and high tea on weekends and offers a Modern European cuisine.

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Assaraya

This very popular Turkish restaurant is packed during the evening hours. Meat is the name of the game here, and it comes in numerous tasty variations. SR30.

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Chilis

Quite good rendition of TexMex with a typical American look-and-feel. The Buffalo Wings / Tenders are recommended and are excellent with the hot sauce. SR60.

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Korean Palace

Korean-run eatery offers reasonably authentic Korean, Japanese, and Chinese food at reasonable prices. The restaurant is popular with the local Asian community. SR50.

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Burger Boutique

This is the Middle East's first gourmet burger joint. They specialize in a wide array of classic and gourmet burgers as well as mouth watering sliders, fresh salads, and sides. The Burger Boutique is an upscale casual restaurant that opened first in Kuwait and has since expanded to Riyadh. Prices are moderate to expensive but definitely worth it for the ambience and great food.

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Mirage Restaurant

This Taiwanese-Saudi-run restaurant offers a variety of Asian foods, but it is recommended to indulge in the Taiwanese or Chinese menu items. The restaurant accepts mixed gender groups. The tables on top of the illuminated fish tanks near the center of the restaurant are particularly stunning. Getting here can be difficult since it is located in a side strip mall- look for the pagoda top and the neon Chinese gate. SR80.

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Duo

Family-friendly

This chain Italian restaurant caters primarily to families. The selection is decent, but quality is lacking. The Spaghetti Curry dish - fried chicken, peas, pineapple curry pasta - sounds weird, but tastes good. There is space for bachelor groups (all males), though the room is off to the side with limited service. SR60.

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*Riyadh Marriott Hotel

Luxury Hotels

Exceptional service awaits you at our five-star Riyadh Marriott Hotel. The luxury of Riyadh Marriott Hotel seamlessly combines style and substance with a high standard of service. The hotel is near the thriving business district and many of the city’s best-known attractions, including museums, cultural landmarks, shopping centres and 5-star entertainment. Dining choices include a seafood kitchen and a café. Its location provides easy access to downtown and popular shopping centres. All rooms are spacious and suit tourists and business travellers, with high-speed Wi-Fi, luxurious bedding and available amenities. Whether joining us for work or pleasure, you will be happy with Riyadh Marriott.

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Al Faisaliah

Located in the same complex as the Faisaliah Tower (but not in the tower itself), is probably Riyadh's top hotel. Impeccably stylish, excellent service and priced to match — a coffee in the lobby will set you back SR60! Rooms are around SR1400 a night. Address: King Fahd Rd, Phone: +966-1-2732000.

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Four Seasons

Luxury Hotels

It doesn't get any fancier than staying in the 302-meter Al-Faisaliah Tower, and the Four Seasons provides all the standard features what you expect from the luxury hotel chain. Singles from SR1200, doubles from SR1400 per night.

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Holiday Inn Al-Qasr

Budget Hotels

Holiday Inn Al-Qasr, Olaya Main Rd, +966-1-4625000. Formerly the Howard Johnson Olaya Palace, this hotel was completely renovated and reopened in 2007. The hotel exudes a modern design, decent rooms, central location, and basic gym. Internet costs SR100/day while the breakfast buffet runs at SR105. Rooms are priced at SR550 per night.

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Intercontinental Hotel

This is a popular hotel for visiting businessmen. It contains large meeting facilities and good restaurants; it is also close to Olaya Road business district.

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Luthan Spa and Hotel

This is the first and only women-only hotel in Saudi Arabia. Most visitors are locals coming here for the spa, but there are also twenty-five rooms for overnight visitors. It is highly recommended for women traveling alone into Saudi Arabia. SR350-979 per night.

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Marriott Riyadh

This hotel is in desperate need of a facelift and is awkwardly located east of the city core. About the best that can be said about its location is that it is clean and quiet ( though this can be said for most of the city. Nevertheless, the rooms meet the high standards set by any Marriott. It does offer an excellent large-size indoor swimming pool and excellent fitness room (included in the room charge). SR1000 per night,

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Radisson SAS Riyadh

Moderate Hotels

This is a very comfortable modern hotel with a European touch. It contains a nice gym with two saunas and pools, free Internet, and good breakfast. It also has four in-house restaurants including both Japanese and Italian. SR800 per night.

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Sheraton Hotel

This is an older structure, but it has been well-maintained and is located three kilometers north of the city center.It’s proximity to both the airport and the business district makes it an attractive option for business travelers. The hotel also has a solid array of tasty in-house restaurants, but there are virtually zero other restaurants within walking distance. SR900 per night.

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Al Khozama

Once among Riyadh's top hotels, it is now getting a more rustic feel. Its rooms are small, but well kept and sanitary. The pool right by the hotel is outdoor only (making it somewhat dirty), but hotel guests have access to the fitness center in the next building (Khozama Center, 1st floor) which offers a superb gym, a large indoor pool, tennis, and bowling. Free internet in the business rooms (located on the 5th floor). SR800 per night. Address: Olaya Rd, Phone: +966-1-4654650.