Saudi Arabia

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Riyadh

Saudi capital of forts, souqs and skyscrapers

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Riyadh Plan a trip around Saudi Arabia

Best time to visit: Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov
Currency: SAR
Time zone: UTC+3
Country: Saudi Arabia

Photo: B.alotaby, CC BY-SA 4.0

Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, a fast-growing desert metropolis on the Najd plateau that mixes the mud-brick Masmak Fortress and old souqs with glass towers, malls and a new metro. Visitors come for the UNESCO site of Diriyah, the National Museum, big-name entertainment and shopping, and as a stopover on the way to the rest of the Kingdom.

Largest cities

Riyadh
Jeddah
Mecca
Medina
Dammam

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Saudi Arabia
Capital: Riyadh
City population: 7M
Population of Saudi Arabia: 33M
Country area: 2,250,000 km²
Official language: Arabic
Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR) · 1 USD ≈ 3.75 SAR
Time zone: UTC+3
Calling code: +966
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 587 m
Plugs: A / B / C / G · 220V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	20°	23°	29°	34°	39°	43°	44°	43°	41°	35°	29°	23°
Low	10°	11°	16°	21°	26°	29°	31°	31°	27°	22°	17°	12°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$46
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$120
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$345

Plan a trip to Riyadh

Top things to do

Free
Masmak Fortress
Walk through the mud-brick fort and its small museum where the 1902 recapture of Riyadh began, then browse the surrounding souqs; go early as it closes during prayer times.
- Half day
- Deira and as-Sa'ah Square
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $3
National Museum of Saudi Arabia
Eight halls trace Arabian history from prehistory to the modern kingdom inside the King Abdul Aziz Historical Park; allow two to three hours and pair it with the nearby Murabba Palace.
- Half day
- Al-Murabba and King Abdul Aziz Historical Park
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $3
Murabba Palace
See the former royal residence and its simple furnished rooms inside the historical park; it is a short walk from the National Museum and best visited in the cooler morning hours.
- Half day
- Al-Murabba and King Abdul Aziz Historical Park
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $15
At-Turaif, Diriyah
Explore the UNESCO-listed mud-brick palaces of the First Saudi State on the city's north-west edge, with cafes and restaurants in the surrounding Diriyah district; evenings are cooler and livelier.
- Half day
- Diriyah
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $20
Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge
Ride up the city's landmark tower for a panorama over the grid of Riyadh, ideally around sunset; the mall below is a good place to escape the heat.
- Half day
- Olaya and Suleimaniyah
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Good in the evening
Free
Olaya Road shopping
Browse the main upscale shopping strip and its malls between King Fahd Road and Olaya Road, with international brands, cafes and food courts; most activity happens after 5pm.
- Half day
- Olaya and Suleimaniyah
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $60
Edge of the World day trip
Drive out to the cliffs of the Tuwaiq escarpment for dramatic desert views and a picnic, usually with a guided 4x4 tour; bring water, sun protection and go in the cooler months.
- Full day
- Diriyah
Free
Wadi Hanifa day out
Spend a relaxed day along the green valley of Wadi Hanifa with its parks, walking paths and picnic spots on the western edge of the city; early morning or late afternoon is best.
- Full day
- Al-Murabba and King Abdul Aziz Historical Park
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Most visitors need a visa before travel: many nationalities can apply online for a tourist e-visa or an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), and e-visas can also be issued on arrival at Saudi international airports. Passports must be valid for at least six months from arrival, and separate Hajj visas are required for the pilgrimage season. Rules differ by nationality and purpose of travel, so check the official Saudi visa platform before booking.

Official website

From the airport

King Khaled International Airport (RUH) sits about 35 km north of the centre; a taxi or ride-hailing car takes roughly 30 minutes in good traffic, and the Yellow Line of the Riyadh Metro also runs from the terminals to KAFD for a few riyals.

Getting around

Riyadh is vast and car-oriented, so most trips are by taxi, Uber or Careem, with the new metro and minibuses useful for the main north-south corridors.

Local tips

Dress modestly in public places; women are not required to wear an abaya but should keep shoulders and knees covered.
Alcohol and pork are illegal, and some medicines and media are restricted, so check customs rules before packing.
Cards are widely accepted, but keep some cash in riyals for souqs, small shops and taxis.
Avoid the midday sun from May to September, when temperatures pass 40°C, and plan outdoor sightseeing for early morning or after sunset.

Areas worth knowing

Deira and as-Sa'ah Square
Olaya and Suleimaniyah
Diriyah
Al-Bathaa
Al-Murabba and King Abdul Aziz Historical Park

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on October 11, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK