All citiesRiyadh Things to do and walking itinerary
Saudi Arabia Riyadh travel guide
20 things to do in Riyadh, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Riyadh
- Masmak Fort — clay and mud-brick fort in the center of Riyadh (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Murabba Palace — historic building in Riyadh (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Riyadh TV Tower — tower in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque — Mosque in Riyadh (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Deera Square — beheading place (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Al-Qibli Mosque — Historic mosque in Riyadh built in the year 1100 AH (1688 AD). (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Kingdom Centre — Skyscraper in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Al Faisaliah Centre — skyscraper and shopping complex in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Palace of Yamamah — residence and Court for the King of Saudi Arabia (visit ≈ 90 min)
- King Khalid Grand Mosque — mosque in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- King Salman Park — Urban Park (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Riyadh Water Tower — water tower in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Princess Latifa bint Sultan Mosque — sunni mosque in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Al Rajhi Mosque — largest congregational mosque in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- King Abdulaziz Mosque — Mosque in al-Murabba, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Al Sohoom Mosque — historic mosque in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Hayy Assafarat Grand Mosque — mosque in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art — art museum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Al Madi Mosque — Mosque in al-Murabba, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Salam Mosque — mosque in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (visit ≈ 30 min)
2-day Riyadh walking itinerary
Starting point: Olaya. The top 4 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 9.7 km · 13,080 steps · 2 h 8 min on the way): Al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art → Al Faisaliah Centre → King Khalid Grand Mosque
- Day 2 (≈ 5.5 km · 7,410 steps · 1 h 14 min on the way): Kingdom Centre
Where to stay in Riyadh
- Olaya: The centre with Kingdom Centre and Al Faisaliah towers; near the metro.
- KAFD (Financial District): Modern hotels and the metro line to the airport.
- Diriyah: Next to UNESCO-listed At-Turaif and the Bujairi Terrace restaurants.
- Al Murabba / Old Centre: Close to Masmak Fort, the National Museum and old souks.
- Al Malaz: An older area with cheaper hotels and local eateries.
Getting from the airport to Riyadh
- King Khalid International (RUH): Riyadh Metro Yellow Line ≈ 30 min; taxi or Uber ≈ 35 min.
Getting around
The new Riyadh Metro links the main districts; use Uber or Careem for the rest. Walking is hard in the heat.
Classic places to eat
- Najd Village: Kabsa and Najdi dishes served on floor seating in a traditional setting.
- Mama Noura: Riyadh’s best-known shawarma place; busy until late.
- Lusin: Armenian and Levantine mezze; a smart dinner spot.
- Myazu: Riyadh’s long-running Japanese restaurant; stylish and popular.
- Al Baik: The legendary fried chicken chain from Jeddah; cheap and fast.
Romantic views
- Salam Park (Evening): Palm-lined paths around the lake are lovely in the evening cool.
- Bujairi Terrace, Diriyah (Evening): The terrace faces the lit mud-brick ruins of At-Turaif in the evening.
- Wadi Hanifa (Sunset): A path winds among ponds and palms along the valley.
- Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge (Evening): From the tower's bridge, city lights stretch to the horizon.
Football stadiums in Riyadh
- KSU Stadium: Home of Al-Nassr
Day trips
- Kingdom Centre — 9 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting Riyadh
- Fine: Bringing, possessing or drinking alcohol is illegal.
- Fine: Drug offences carry extremely severe penalties, including death.
- Fine: Public decency rules fine loud music, offensive slogans on clothing and harassment.
- Fine: Photographing people without consent or government buildings is banned.
- Warning: Same-sex relations are criminalised; check official travel advice.
- Warning: Men and women should cover shoulders and knees; abayas aren't mandatory for foreign women.
- Emergency: 911 (police 999, ambulance 997, fire 998)
- Plugs: G, 230V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
- Tipping: 10–15% is customary.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Saudi Arabia, Wikivoyage — Saudi Arabia, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Riyadh travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Riyadh?
- The top 4 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Add extra days for day trips (Kingdom Centre).
- What are the top things to do in Riyadh?
- Highlights: Masmak Fort, Murabba Palace, Riyadh TV Tower, Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque and Deera Square. The map has 20 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Riyadh?
- Olaya: The centre with Kingdom Centre and Al Faisaliah towers; near the metro. Other options: KAFD (Financial District), Diriyah, Al Murabba / Old Centre and Al Malaz.
- How do you get from the airport to Riyadh city centre?
- King Khalid International (RUH): Riyadh Metro Yellow Line ≈ 30 min; taxi or Uber ≈ 35 min.
- How do you get around Riyadh?
- The new Riyadh Metro links the main districts; use Uber or Careem for the rest. Walking is hard in the heat.
- What is the emergency number in Riyadh?
- Emergency: 911 (police 999, ambulance 997, fire 998).
- Do you tip in Riyadh?
- 10–15% is customary.
Nearby cities
Manama · Doha · Kuwait City · Abu Dhabi · Jeddah · Dubai · Baghdad · Sanaa
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