Name: One day in Riyadh : Past, Present, & Future
Start: 2025-04-23
End: 2025-07-29
Location: One day in Riyadh : Past, Present, & Future

Saudi Arabia

Immerse yourself in Saudi Arabia’s dynamic capital, where heritage and innovation coexist. Explore the historic Diriyah, visit iconic landmarks like the National Museum, Murabba Palace, and Al Masmak Fort, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of Souk Azel. From bustling markets to soaring skyscrapers, this tour unveils the essence of Riyadh’s past and present.

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One day in Riyadh : Past, Present, & Future

Riyadh

<p>Immerse yourself in Saudi Arabia’s dynamic capital, where heritage and innovation coexist. Explore the historic Diriyah, visit iconic landmarks like the National Museum, Murabba Palace, and Al Masmak Fort, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of Souk Azel. From bustling markets to soaring skyscrapers, this tour unveils the essence of Riyadh’s past and present.</p>

<p class="ql-align-right">انغمس في عاصمة المملكة العربية السعودية النابضة بالحياة، حيث يلتقي التراث العريق مع الابتكار الحديث. استكشف حي الدرعية التاريخي، وزُر المعالم البارزة مثل المتحف الوطني، وقصر المربع، وقصر المصمك، واستمتع بالأجواء الحيوية في سوق الزل. من الأسواق الشعبية إلى ناطحات السحاب الشاهقة، تكشف لك هذه الجولة جوهر الرياض بين الماضي والحاضر.</p>

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We drive for 30 minutes to Ad-Diriyah, located on the western bank of the Wadi Hanifah, a dry riverbed where water flows only after big rains. Ad-Diriyah used to be the capital of the Najd (the central plateau of the Arabian Peninsula) from the 15th century until the beginning of the 18th century. It is the birthplace of the first Saudi Kingdom and its importance in the history of the Arabian Peninsula was highlighted when it was listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, in 2010, as the most brilliant example of Najdi architecture. The history of Ad-Diriyah goes back thousands of years as it was on an ancient trade and pilgrimage route, acting as a meeting point for those travelling to or from Asia, Africa and Europe. Our visit to the site allows us to admire its incredible architecture before returning to downtown Riyadh. As we drive towards the city , we have the opportunity to admire the rapid development of this cosmopolitan capital.

Half Day Diriyah Tour

Discover the art of traditional pottery in this hands-on workshop led by a talented Saudi artist. Learn the techniques of shaping and molding clay while exploring the rich heritage of Saudi craftsmanship.

Pottery Workshop

Discover the rich heritage of Asiri art and immerse yourself in its origins, cultural significance, and unique presence in the Asir region. Learn about the intricate technical aspects that make this traditional art form so distinctive and timeless.
Choose your own design and paint your very own Asiri pattern, guided by our expert, Felwah, who will share her personal techniques and deep knowledge of this beautiful art.

Asiri Painting

We proceed into old Riyadh, starting in the downtown area, and visiting the traditional Dirah Souq (famous for buying antique carpets and other useful Saudi heritage antiques). The walk is infused with the aromas of sandalwood fragrance and other scents of the Orient. The Souq is known for men’s clothing and it is entertaining to watch the auction which takes place every Friday. After this, we visit the Masmak Fort which is just walking distance from the Old Souq and whose importance is linked to the creation of the 3rd Saudi Kingdom, the modern one we live in. The fortified palace was built during the reign of Abdullah bin Rashid in the year 1895 A.D. to serve as a military garrison for the army of Abdullah bin Rashid. His Majesty King Abdulaziz, the father of today’s nation, captured the fort in 1902, marking the beginning of the reconquest of Arabia by the House of Saudi. 
Start Time : 08:30H
End Time : 13:30H

Half Day Riyadh City Tour

Embark on a unique adventure where you will get a chance to explore and visit top attractions in Riyadh that showcase the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia. Start by embarking on a guided tour of the splendid Al Masmak Fortress, one of the most important landmarks of Saudi heritage. Previously an armoury, the site is now a heritage building. From the fortress, walk to Souq Al Zal, a traditional marketplace that preserves the spirit of old Arabia. You can check high-quality local products there, such as bukhoor, pottery, prayer beads, traditional wear like Abayas for women, and unique accessories like the Agal and Shemagh, a headdress worn by men. Visitors can try these on and take plenty of photos, and even walk back to Masmak Fortress to take pictures with this iconic landmark as your backdrop. Head to the spice shop in the souq to put your sense of smell to the test and get a chance to win amazing prizes. Visit the National Museum next, a part of the King Abdulaziz Historical Centre, which was established to showcase many important antiques, manuscripts and paintings from the bygone era. Head off to Najd Village, where you can enjoy authentic Najdi flavours in a traditional setting before calling it a day.

Explore Saudi Heritage In Riyadh

Get ready for an exciting Sadu weaving workshop where creativity and tradition come together! Dive into the colorful world of Sadu weaving, a beautiful craft that showcases the rich Bedouin culture of the Najdi region. This hands-on experience will let you unleash your artistic flair while learning from talented artisans.

Sadu Workshop

We start our tour of Riyadh by visiting the primary custodian of the Saudi national heritage and culture, the National Museum. Today it is a place of learning and discovery that hosts a unique collection of artefacts and covers the whole history of the Arabian Peninsula up to the modern era. After this, we continue to the nearby Murrabba Palace that used to be the royal residence where King Abdulaziz hosted his court. The palace was named after its square 40 by 40 meters shape and is now one of the city’s major museums. Adjacent to the palace, a modern building hosts a collection of King Abdulaziz’s personal items that we will briefly tour. These places are at the heart of the birth of the Saudi nation. Lunch in the city .In the afternoon we delve further into old Riyadh by going to the downtown area, visiting the old “Souq” the Dirah Souq famous for buying antique carpets and other useful Saudi heritage antiques, while walking we will always smell sandal wood fragrance and the scents or orient. The Souq is known for men’s clothing and one of the entertainments is to watch the auction which takes place on every Friday. Then we will visit the Masmak Fort which is just walking distance from the Old Souq and whose importance is linked to the creation of the 3rd Saudi Kingdom, the modern one we live in. The fortified palace was built during the reign of Abdullah bin Rashid in the year 1895 A.D. to serve as military garrison for the Abdullah bin Rashid army. His Majesty King Abdulaziz, the father of the today’s nation, captured the fort in 1902, marking the beginning of the reconquest of Arabia by the House of Saud. From there we will head to the famous Kingdom Tower and its Sky Bridge to see Riyadh from a panoramic viewpoint nearly 300 meters above the city.

Full Day Riyadh City Tour

Embark on an unforgettable journey to Saudi Arabia's rich and storied past before transporting you to its futuristic present. Gather at the meeting point and head to Diriyah, located northwest of Riyadh, surrounded by the picturesque Wadi Hanifa. It was the original home of the Saudi royal family, and a thriving social and political hub. Tour At-Turaif District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting Saudi Arabian architecture and cultural heritage, which offers a glimpse into the country's imperial history with its unique designs and splendid squares. Relish a lip-smacking traditional dinner before heading to King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Riyadh's modern interface for finance and business, home to skyscrapers, parks, museums and more. Take a refreshing stroll around the KAFD park and enjoy the stunning greenery while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of this urban masterpiece.

One day in Riyadh : Past, Present, & Future

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