“Riyadh is a city with a perfect blend of past and future, featuring modern architecture and high buildings as well as a glimpse of Historical Places and Incredible Natural wonders”
Hello, Marhaba, I’m allan and as of this writing, I am an OFW living for two years in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. In this blog, I will share with you my top list tourist spots to visit in Riyadh.
I visited Riyadh twice already, the first in February and the second in December 2023. Traveling in this city was really amazing because there are a lot of options and places you can visit, from high rise modern buildings to historical landmarks to stunning landscapes and vast deserts.
In this article, I will also share with you some itinerary activities you can do in Riyadh, as well as how much is the estimated cost you will spend wandering this beautiful city.
About Riyadh
Riyadh is the capital city of Saudi Arabia, It is the largest city on the Arabian Peninsula situated in the center of the an-Nafud desert, eastern part of the Najd Plateau. The city sits at an average of 600 meters (2,000 ft) above sea level. In the first quarter of 2024, after nearly five months of thrills and entertain for Riyadh Season and annual festival, the city draws 20 million visitors from inside and outside the kingdom.
When is the best time to visit Riyadh
Saudi Arabia is known for being a hot desert climate country, but did you know that there is also winter season here which is from December to February where temperature ranges from 10°C to 23°C. In this months you can enjoy and marvel in all tourist spot with chilly temperature.
Avoid summer months from April to October as temperature is mild to extremely hot.
Top Tourist Attraction to Visit in Riyadh
Edge of the World
Edge of the world is an enormous canyon that overlooks a boundless dessert scenery, creating a magnificent view when standing on its edge. If you want to experience a feeling like you are in Planet Mars, then don’t forget to visit this amazing canyon and enjoy the spectacular sunrise/sunset view near the cliff. If you are brave enough and wanted more dramatic and epic solo photo, you can also walk and sit close to the pillar as viewed in the picture.
Quick advise, Edge of the world is only accessible by 4 WD or high level type Car, so don’t attempt to travel there using sedan or lower vehicle as it is rough road. ). If you are a solo traveler, you can opt to join a group tour which is available online.
Boulevard World
Definitely one of the most popular tourist spot in Riyadh that you should never miss to visit. This place has different landmark attractions with resemblance to the famous structures and historical places in different part of the world like Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, Santorini in Greece, Taj Mahal in India, Chichen Itza Pyramid in Mexico, Eiffel tower in France and many more. If you want to travel the world without flying to each country then this place is for you. You got to experience thrilling culture, entertainment and adventure.
Diriyah
Visiting Riyadh will not be complete without experiencing Diriyah, the old city of Ad Diriyah is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Saudi Arabia known for its rich cultural history, unique art and traditional mud-bricks building that will bring you back in time.
The Boulevard/Boulevard City
Formerly known as Boulevard City, is a neighborhood of boulevard world. This landmark attraction is a replica of Newyork Times Square, Takenda Center and the London’s Coventry inspired trocadero area. This landmarks has garden, dancing fountain and several cafes as well as local and global restaurants. If you want to experience cityscape on its finest like you are in Newyork, USA, then visit this place.
Sky Bridge Kingdom Tower
Situated in the center of Riyadh is the Sky Bridge Kingdom Tower, a steel structure with a height of 300 meters and an overlooking view of the whole city. This modern building is one of the most famous attraction in Riyadh.
The best time to visit is at night to experience the perfect city night view of Riyadh.
Strawberry Farm in Riyadh
As a farming enthusiast, I was amaze to know that strawberry farm also exist in Saudi Arabia. As you know because of its hot desert climate with extremely hot summers and short very mild winter I never imagine before that it’s actually possible, hence, I was ecstatic to visit this farm. I have strawberry plants in my small land before in the Philippines and it is planted in soil, but here, strawberry plants are cultivated in greenhouse using hydroponics technology, a technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil. Strawberry picking is available during winter season, mostly early December.
Red Sand
Closest desert near Riyadh is the Red Sand Dunes which covers 45,000 square kilometers with its peaks rising to heights of 300 to 600 m giving reddish hues due to the concentration of iron oxide in the sand. This desert is a popular destination for locals, expatriates and of course with Filipinos. As a Filipino as myself I am happy to see my fellow kababayan enjoying in this desert and experiencing quad biking. So, if you are looking for a thrilling desert adventure and want to escape the city for a while then this place is for you.
Wonder Garden
A newest attraction in Riyadh which opened last November 2023. This large amusement park offers a wide variety of recreational activities, extreme rides and exceptional experience. This includes Flamingo Lake, the Bloom Zone and Adventure Parks. Be enchanted with the wonderful garden and captivate with the flamingo in the small lake.
Al Hair Lake Park
Do you want to release stress near Riyadh and wander in a park with lakes comparable to with Niagara Falls, then you must visit this place. The waterfalls here is a mini version of Niagara Falls in Canada & USA. This tourist attraction is part of the historical Al Hair village in the Wadi Hanifa that houses many old buildings, towers, fortresses, and mosques. It is about 45 km away from the capital city, Riyadh. Best time to visit here is in the morning during sunrise.
My 3 days/2 nights Itinerary Activity in Riyadh Saudi, Arabia from Jubail
Day 1
- Drive from Jubail to Riyadh
- Visit Sky Bridge Kingdon Tower, Wonder Garden at night
Day 2
- Edge of the world sunrise schedule starts at 4 am
- Boulevard City/World-afternoon starts at 4 pm
Day 3
- Al hair Lake Park for sunrise viewing
- Strawberry Farm around 9 am
- Diriyah for lunch time
- Drive back to Jubail
How much budget to prepare for visiting Riyadh?
| Sample Estimated Budget for 3 Days/2 nights days in Riyadh | |
| Note: Arrive Thursday afternoon & Leave Saturday afternoon | |
| Description | Cost (SAR) |
| With Private owned car (Estimated Gasoline sharing) | 80 |
| Hotel Accommodation (2 days) (3 person in 1 room) | 100 each |
| Strawberry Farm Entrance Fee | 35 |
| Boulevard City (Free) | 0 |
| Boulevard World Entrance Fee Ticket Price | 150 |
| Edge of the world (Private tour with 3 Persons) with free water & light snacks | 250 each |
| Sky Bridge Kingdom Tower Riyadh | 69 |
| Food | 150 |
| Total Cost | 834 |
If no personal vehicle, Please consider below cost of transportation from Jubail
| Description | Cost (SAR) |
| Bus from Jubail to Dammam (Back & Forth) | 60 |
| Bus from Dammam to Riyadh | 100 |
| Train from Riyadh to Dammam | 100 |
| Taxi Cost or using Uber (consider total per 1 person) | 100 |
So have you been to Riyadh? Please share your experience.
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