Places to visit
History, modern towers, and the desert on the edge of town. These are the ones I send friends to first.
Diriyah and At-Turaif
The mud-brick old town where the first Saudi state began, restored into a historic district that suits walking and sightseeing. Next to it, Bujairi Terrace is one of the best places in the city to eat.
Bujairi Terrace
A dinner destination and a lovely place to unwind, with a refined heritage feel, next to old Diriyah. A nice spot to walk, eat and sit, with a good variety of cafes and restaurants.
National Museum of Saudi Arabia
A fairly old museum, but it tells the story of Saudi Arabia and what unfolded on this land, from the beginning and the Prophet's message through to the modern era, passing through the first and second Saudi states and all that happened along the way.
Wadi Hanifah
A long green valley threaded through Riyadh with water, palms, and walking paths. Locals come here in the evening to walk, cycle, and picnic.