Masmak Fort
A mud-brick fort with thick walls and watchtowers in the old centre, tied to the 1902 recapture of Riyadh by Abdulaziz Al Saud. Inside is a museum on the founding of the kingdom.
Riyadh
As the capital and business hub, it offers Riyadh Season events, modern malls, historic Diriyah and the Kingdom Centre tower.
Attractive locations
Kingdom Centre
A tall skyscraper with a large opening near the top, linked by a sky bridge. It holds offices and a mall, and the viewing level gives wide views across the city.
Al Faisaliah Centre
A modern tower topped with a golden globe, with offices, a shopping area and restaurants at its base. It is one of the city's best-known skyline features.
At-Turaif District
The restored mud-brick ruins of the Al Saud family's first capital in Diriyah, northwest of Riyadh. This UNESCO World Heritage Site shows traditional Najdi architecture and early Saudi history.
Murabba Palace
A mud-brick palace built by King Abdulaziz as his residence, set around courtyards with wooden doors and ceilings. It is part of the historic complex in central Riyadh.
King Abdul Aziz Historical Centre
A cultural complex in central Riyadh around the old Murabba Palace, with museums and gardens that present the history of the Kingdom and its founder.
King Salman Park
A very large city park taking shape on the former site of an airport, with green spaces, paths and cultural venues. It is meant to become one of the world's largest urban parks.
Souq Al-Zal
A traditional market in old Riyadh near Masmak Fort selling carpets, antiques, clothing and household goods. The mud-brick style and narrow lanes give a feel of the older city.
Edge of the World
A dramatic cliff edge on the Tuwaiq escarpment northwest of Riyadh, with wide views over a flat desert plain far below. The track in is rough, so visitors usually go by 4x4 or with a tour.
Wadi Hanifa
A long valley running through Riyadh, now with restored palm groves, walking paths and picnic areas. It is a green escape from the city and popular with families in the evening.
Boulevard City
A large entertainment district in northern Riyadh with restaurants, shops and shows along landscaped walkways. It is lively in the evenings and hosts events through the year.
Airports
King Khalid International Airport RUH
It is about 36 km in a straight line from Riyadh.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Saudi Arabia page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan13.8 °C6 mm
- Feb16.6 °C4 mm
- Mar21.2 °C2 mm
- Apr26.5 °C5 mm
- May32.0 °C1 mm
- Jun34.5 °C0 mm
- Jul36.0 °C0 mm
- Aug35.7 °C0 mm
- Sep32.4 °C0 mm
- Oct27.1 °C0 mm
- Nov20.4 °C7 mm
- Dec15.1 °C6 mm
Driest months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Wettest months: Jan, Nov, Dec.
Costs
Prices here are about 47% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
festival
Riyadh Season
For months, Riyadh has theme zones, boxing, shows and concerts.
sport
AFC Asian Cup 2027
Saudi Arabia hosts the football championship of Asia.
Official sitefestival
Riyadh Season
For months, Riyadh has theme zones, boxing, shows and concerts.
Who can help
Emergency and help
911 is the unified emergency number in most regions. Police 999. Ambulance 997. Civil defence / fire 998.
local government
Ministry of Health Call Center 937
Helps with: The health ministry's call center, listed for medical consultations and receiving reports from inside the Kingdom, 24/7. A separate number is listed for calls from outside the Kingdom.
Who qualifies: Callers inside Saudi Arabia needing medical consultation; the page does not say which languages are offered.
Phone: 937
Email: 937@moh.gov.sa
local government
Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Guests Care
Helps with: The ministry that serves pilgrims and visitors for Hajj and Umrah. Its contact page lists phone lines marked 24/7, an email address and several Guests Care Centers in Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah.
Who qualifies: Pilgrims and visitors served by the ministry; the page sets no further conditions.
Phone: +966 920002814
Email: Care@haj.gov.sa
local government
Emergency number 911 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches police, ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 911
local government
Emergency number 112 for phones without a Saudi SIM
Helps with: Emergency number for callers without a Saudi SIM card. UK government travel advice says to call 112 in that case.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 112
ngo
Saudi Red Crescent Authority
Helps with: The contact page lists 997 as the ambulance number and a beneficiary services call centre. It also offers first aid training through its Ambassador of Life programme.
Who qualifies: The page does not say who can use it. It gives a public contact form and the phone numbers listed.
Phone: 00966112805555
Email: info@srca.org.sa
Address: PO Box 11129, Riyadh