If you’re visiting Saudi Arabia and wondering what there is to do in the vast, desert city of Riyadh – don’t worry, I have you covered! After living in Saudi Arabia for four months, I not only have tons of insight into how things are done in Saudi Arabia, but I also know the best things to do in Riyadh. Below you’ll find the top things to do when you’re visiting Riyadh and general information about visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
If you’re traveling to Saudi Arabia, don’t miss…
MY TOP TWO RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN VISITING RIYADH ARE TO VISIT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD AND TO TAKE A FULL RIYADH CITY TOUR!
1. ATV/Buggy Through the Sand Dunes
Riyadh is unique in the sense that one minute you’re looking at skyscrapers, and the next minute you’re in the sandy desert with nothing around. And in my opinion, one of the best things to do when you visit Riyadh is to ATV or ride a buggy through the sand dunes! While you can do this on your own – there are remote areas in the desert where you can rent ATVs from the locals – I wouldn’t recommend it. Especially if you’re visiting for a short period of time. Instead, this is the tour I recommend joining…
- Into the Wild: An Exciting Buggy Ride through the Dunes
- 9.5 hours
- 3 people max
- English and Arabic speaking
- Snacks provided
Don’t miss…
2. Ride Camels Through the Sand Dunes
When I first arrived to Riyadh, I was in an Uber driving to my hotel and I passed a pick-up truck full of camels. I had never seen anything like it before and it was the first time I felt like I was truly in another world. The good news is, not only will you randomly see camels around Riyadh, but you can also ride them! If you want to ride camels in the sand dunes, I recommend this tour…
- Sand Dunes Desert – Camel Ride + Quad Bike
- 5 hours
- 6 people max
- English and Arabic speaking
- Sand dunes desert + Heritage Village
3. View Riyadh from the Sky Observation Bridge
The Sky Observation Bridge is located in the Kingdom Centre and overlooks Riyadh. The Sky Bridge is 213 feet long and sits on top of the Kingdom Centre at 984 feet high. The tower is open daily from 4 pm – 10:30 pm, but opening times may vary during Ramadan. The cost of admission is 69 SR for adults, 23 SR for kids 10 and under, and free for infants under 2.
4. Go to the Edge of the World
The so-called “Edge of the World” is outside of Riyadh and when you visit, you can certainly see how it gets its name. While standing on cliffs, in front of you, all you can see is vast, arid dessert. It’s a chilling experience but one that comes highly recommended. It’s pretty hard to get to the edge of the world on your own, and can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. (Several tourists have unfortunately died falling off the cliffs). If you do want to visit the edge of the world, here are some tours I recommend joining…
- Edge of the World Sunset View and Stargazing
- 6 hours
- Private or small groups available
- English and Arabic speaking
- Guided tour & transportation provided; dinner can be purchased for an extra $20
- Edge of the World with Camel Ride, Bat Cave Visit, & Dinner
- 8-9 hours
- Up to 55 people
- English and Arabic speaking
- Edge of the World Tour Including Dinner & Hike
- 6-7 hours
- Up to 60 people
- English speaking
5. Experience Riyadh’s Restaurant Scene
Riyadh has a vast amount of restaurants, with a majority being international. Of course, if you want a traditional Saudi experience, I would recommend Al Najd Village – not great for food, but great for the experience. Otherwise, I would stick with one of these restaurants in Riyadh.
For food and restaurant experiences in Riyadh, check out…
- Al Najd Village Dining Experience
- Interactive Saudi Cuisine & Cultural Experience
- Dining Experience at The Globe Restaurant
Don’t miss…
6. Learn About Saudi Arabia at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia
If you’re interested in history, you can’t miss the chance to visit the National Museum of Saudi Arabia. You can spend an entire day learning about the history of the Arabian Peninsula and viewing over 3,700 artifacts collected throughout the years. The museum is located in the Al-Murraba District and is closed on Sunday’s, has limited hours on Friday’s, but is open every other day of the week.
For a more hands on approach to learning about the history of Saudi Arabia, you can’t miss this All-Day Ancient Mysteries of Central Arabia tour.
7. Shop, Shop, & Shop Some More
Riyadh has some seriously great shopping malls – you can quite literally find any store in the city. Because Saudi Arabia is so hot, one of the most popular things to do during the day is to go shopping. The malls are nice and cool, it’s a great way to socialize, plus there are dining options in the malls. And while I wouldn’t normally tell someone to “go to the mall” when they travel, it is a type of cultural experience in Riyadh.
8. Visit the Birthplace of Saudi Arabia – Diriyadh
Diriyadh is located just west of Riyadh, about a 20-minute drive out of the city. This is considered to be the birthplace of Saudi Arabia and was the first capital of the country. Diriyadh has maintained its sense of history and has been recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old capital city is a maze of alleyways, cafes, and craft shops made out of traditional mud-brick architecture.
To get to know Diriyadh and its history on a deeper level, I highly recommend joining a tour…
- Diriyah: Al-Turaif District, Al-Bujairi Terrace & Dinner
- 4 hours
- Private tour
- English speaking guide
9. Get a Full City Tour of Riyadh
If you have a limited time in Riyadh, and want to get a good feel for the highlights, I recommend taking a city tour. This Riyadh full city tour allows you to visit Al Masmak Fortress, Souk Al Zal, Murabba Palace, King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Diriyah, ending at Nadj Village; all with a local, English-speaking guide.
IF YOU HAVE 3-DAYS IN RIYADH, CONSIDER BOOKING THIS RIYADH 3-DAY TOUR!
10. Day Trip to Ushaiqer
Ushaiqer is located 2.5 hours northwest of Riyadh and is one of the oldest towns in the Saudi region of Najd. It’s famous as being a stopping point for pilgrims coming from all over the Middle East – Kuwait, Iran, and Iraq – to perform Hajj (an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca). If you want to travel to Ushaiqer, I recommend this 8-12 hour heritage tour that includes dinner.
FAQ
Q: “Is Saudi Arabia worth visiting?”
- A: I really have a hard time with this question. And truly, my answer varies – yes and no. The country is expensive and there are so many laws and rules to follow that it isn’t exactly the most “fun” place to travel. And when spending your hard earned money, I believe that there are other better places in the Middle East. However, Saudi Arabia is an incredibly historic country that has just opened up to tourism in the past 10 years. So it’s also a unique country to visit and one that will only get busier throughout the years. So if you’re interested in visiting a relatively untouched piece of the earth, with incredible history, then I say go for it.
Q: “Can tourists drink alcohol in Saudi Arabia?”
- Absolutely not. Drinking alcohol in Saudi Arabia is punishable by death. However, there are rumors floating around that once the King dies and the Crown Prince takes over, they will start to allow westerners to drink in designated areas. (Similar to the UAE).
Q: “What is Riyadh best known for?”
- Riyadh is best known for being a vast city in the middle of the dessert. It’s also known for its culture, history, and shopping.
Saudi Arabia Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Saudi Arabia
TRAVELING THROUGH SAUDI ARABIA
- Download Uber to get a taxi
- To book a flight to Saudi Arabia, I recommend this search engine or Skyscanner to compare options (if you’re from the US, sign up for Going for free, cheap flight alerts)
- Saudi Arabia does require a visa, you can purchase one through iVisa
- I highly recommend travel insurance when traveling through Saudi Arabia – I use and recommend SafetyWing (read why here and here)
- If you want an English speaking driver waiting to pick you up at the airport, use Welcome Pickups (select cities only)
- If you need a SIM card, aloSIM for an easy and affordable e-SIM – use code “KYLEE5” for a discount
ACCOMODATION IN SAUDI ARABIA
- To easiest way to book hotels in Saudi Arabia is through this booking platform
TOURS IN SAUDI ARABIA
- For tours and activities in Saudi Arabia, I recommend using Get Your Guide or Viator
WHAT TO BRING TO SAUDI ARABIA
- Don’t forget a Saudi Arabia guide book to help plan your travels
- You’ll need a travel plug adapter (Saudi Arabia uses type G)
- My favorite luggage is Calpak
- My favorite travel backpack is Nordace
- I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to keep your water cold on hot days and to cut down on plastic waste
- I like traveling with an eye mask for long flights & to help with jet lag
I hope that this list of things to do in Riyadh helps plan your travels and inspires your trip to Saudi Arabia. If you have any questions about visiting Riyadh, let me know in the comments below!
If you want to travel outside of Riyadh, make sure to check out…
For a more visual look at Riyadh, head to my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching #ppinsaudiarabia or the “Saudi I” or “Saudi II” highlight; alternatively, head to my TikTok and look for my “Saudi” highlight
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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
On Passports and Preemies, you’ll find everything from travel nursing insights – how to get started, land the best assignments, and thrive on the road – to expert travel tips, destination guides, and real-talk about balancing nursing with a life well-traveled. Passports and Preemies also includes Beyond the Bedside – group trips for nurses around the world; as well as the podcast, Passports and Preemies Talks.
