5 Things To Enjoy In Riyadh

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, has grown from a small tribal settlement to one of the busiest and wealthiest cities in the Middle East in only a matter of decades. Even though the city has always been fairly traditional, there are a variety of things to do in Riyadh that are a must-try for everyone.

* Dine in a glass ball suspended over the city

Riyadh is very much about extravagance and enjoying the finer things in life, and Al Faisaliah Centre, a commercial skyscraper located in the business district of the city, allows visitors to become fully immersed in the local lifestyle.

* Shopping at Riyadh Gallery

Malls are not just a shopping destination but also popular places for socialising and dining. There are dozens of malls in the city, but if there is one that visitors must check out, it’s Riyadh Gallery.

* Explore the birthplace of Saudi Arabia

Although Riyadh’s bustling traffic, glass skyscrapers and business streets are its loudest elements today, the city has a rich heritage and history that has been well preserved.In 1902, the founder of modern-day Saudi Arabia, King Abdul Aziz ibn Saud, stormed his ancestral home, Al Masmak Fortress. It had been seized by the leader of his rival clan, Mohammed ibn Abdullah ibn Rasheed, in the late 19th century. It was from this location that he took control over the rest of Riyadh and united the tribes that lived in Arabia, unifying the modern-day Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

* Learn more about Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage at its biggest museum

The National Museum in Riyadh is Saudi Arabia’s biggest museum and one of the most visited places in the city. It lies in the King Abdul Aziz Historical Centre, a cultural hub that also has a park and a mosque. The museum showcases the history of human civilisation, Islam and Saudi Arabia in eight main galleries, and its collection includes sculptures, antiquities as well as audiovisual instalments.

* Visit the largest park in the desert country

Because the city’s summers are long and extremely hot, most people prefer indoor forms of leisure. However, when the weather is pleasant or during the few cooler months, simple outdoor activities suddenly become appealing. The King Abdullah Malaz Park (KAMP) stretches over 318,000 square metres (3.4 million square feet) and plays host to cafeterias, a restaurant, several playgrounds for children, areas designated for sports and a 12m (39ft) pedestrian pathway that wraps around stretches of hills. The greenery is perfect for when Riyadh’s weather allows people to appreciate the outdoors.