Riyadh

Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is a fast-changing modern metropolis rising from the desert of the central Najd plateau, a city of gleaming skyscrapers, sweeping highways and ambitious mega-projects transforming it at astonishing speed. Its landmarks include the towering Kingdom Centre with its sky bridge and the futuristic skyline, alongside reminders of its origins in the old mud-brick Masmak fortress, where the Saudi state was born, the traditional souks, and a growing wealth of museums and cultural attractions.

History

In pre-Islamic times the town here was Hajr, capital of the province of Al-Yamama, and the earliest known reference to the name Riyadh concerns an event of 1590. Dahham ibn Dawwas took control of the town in 1737, and the present metropolis grew from the 1950s out of the walled 18th-century town (Wikipedia, Riyadh).

Highlights

• The Kingdom Centre - the tower and its sky bridge over the city.
• The Masmak Fortress - the old mud-brick fort of the state's founding.
• The National Museum - the museum of Saudi history and culture.
• The souks - the traditional markets like Souq Al Zal.

When to go

November to March, the cool season, for bearable temperatures, as summers are extremely hot; the cooler evenings are when the city and its outdoor attractions come alive, and the winter season brings festivals and events.

What to expect

It is a sprawling, car-oriented modern city undergoing rapid, sometimes disorienting change, so its appeal is the contrast of futuristic ambition and heritage rather than an old, walkable core. As a conservative capital, dress modestly, though rules have relaxed for visitors. It is more a gateway and a window on modern Saudi Arabia than a classic tourist city, best paired with AlUla and the desert.

Nearby

Diriyah, the Edge of the World and the central desert are within reach.

Key facts