Going to Riyadh was like being in a liminal space – in between two worlds. On one hand, I saw massive skyscrapers and stunning views from the 99th floor of the Kingdom Tower in downtown. On the other hand, I explored Diriyah and Al Musmak fort, each taking me back into time and inviting me to explore a world which has passed by.
The historic sites
Diriyah was the first capital of unified Saudi Arabia and the city, though ruined still exists in Riyadh. It is interesting to see the mosque where people prayed over 200 years ago, explore their traditional homes, souks, resident palace, horse stables and collections of jewellery from a time gone by. Diriyah is free to enter before 5 pm however you can stay in there for as long as you want. In the evening, Diriyah comes alive with a shopping district. Not too far is a park you can work through, studded with palm trees.
Al Musmak Fortress is located in the city itself. It houses ancient palatial museum with a collection of swords, ancient attires, pots, silver hookahs and everything history. Al Musmak is a great segway into the history and invites you to understand the history of the unification of Saudi Arabia under King AbdulAziz.
The AbdulAziz museum is also interesting and houses relics of King AbdulAziz’s life. It’s interesting to walk through and see how Saudi Arabia has evolved with time from being a desert country to now being a leading producer in oil.
Themed experiences
Riyadh has various themed experiences. My favourite being Boulevard World, a themed park designed with highlights of unique countries across the world. While walking in Boulevard World, you can enjoy baklava from turkey, samosa from India, croissants from Paris, matcha in Japan and highlights of each and every country you can imagine. The experience is made thrilling with a side of shopping, live shows and other experiences.
The Box Experience is a themed mystery room located right opposite Boulevard World and is a must visit. The experience involves going to the mystery room, picking up the technology for the themed heist and solving the clues. It’s a fun experience for friend groups and families.
Where to stay
While in Riyadh, you can stay at Novotel Al Anoud, a property located bang in downtown. Novotel An Anoud is walking distance from the Kingdom Towers, which houses a skybridge on the 99th floor to spectate stunning views of the city.
La Croisette Restaurant at the property serves a buffet breakfast and a variety of cuisine options for other meals to choose from. The Cafe Lounge located near the lobby serves Matcha, chia bowls, smoothies, puddings and options for coffee.
While at the hotel, you can indulge in some swimming sessions or work out at the resident gym.
How to get around
Since Saudi Arabia has challenging driving rules and they’re strictly enforced, you might end up paying significant fines. It’s better to not self drive in Saudi Arabia and choose a taxi operator instead. Uber is widely available in the country and you can always relax rather than stress about navigation.
How to dress
As the centre of the Islamic world, Saudi Arabia is modern yet traditional. It’s better to stick to modest clothing and not wear revealing clothing. Carrying a scarf is great to protect from the sun and also to cover the head if you’re planning to visit a mosque.
How to get there
There are direct flights from Mumbai to Riyadh most days a week. I flew Akasa Air and the experience was wonderful. They have gourmet meals including beetroot burgers and mushroom and Brie croissants. Their service was also exceptional with the priority boarding experience where they assisted me through immigration.
How many days
Overall Riyadh has a lot to offer, you can easily spend 3 days here and extend to explore AlUla as well. 3 days are more than enough to allow time for rest, explore and and see everything possible in the city.
AlUla from Riyadh
AlUla has turned into a key highlight destination for Saudi Arabia. If you’re planning to go to AlUla from Riyadh, you can drive 7 hours or take a flight. The flight is better since there isn’t much to see while driving. AlUla has a lot to explore spanning from Habitas AlUla, Miraya, Dadan and the UNESCO site of Hegra. Most people who travel to Riyadh, plan a short trip to explore AlUla from there.
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