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It’s been said before but I’ll say it again: Saudi Arabia is undergoing truly monumental changes. Just a few years ago, it was almost unimaginable (and technically impossible) to visit Saudi Arabia as a tourist. Fast forward to today, and there are countless things to do in Riyadh, its capital, as it throws its doors open to the world.
In line with Vision 2030, huge investment is being poured into Riyadh, and the transformation that investment has brought is palpable to the visitor today. With a hugely ambitious leading airline poised to start flights in 2025, a new Riyadh Metro, and an amusement park of global superlatives, great things are in store for Riyadh.
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- What is it like to visit Riyadh in 2025?
- What are some of the fun things to do in Riyadh?
- 1. Best for city views in Riyadh: Sky Bridge at the Kingdom Center
- 2. Best for outdoor adventure in Riyadh: Dune bashing and desert safari
- 3. Best for traditional shopping in Riyadh: Souq Al Zak
- 4. Best thing to do in Riyadh at night: Boulevard City
- 5. Best things to do in Riyadh for families: Riyadh Zoo
- 6. Best alternative experience in Riyadh: Doos Karting
- 7. Best for natural views in Riyadh: Edge of the World
- 8. Best amusement park in Riyadh: Six Flags Qiddiya City
What is it like to visit Riyadh in 2025?
Just as we explained here, the time to visit Riyadh and Saudi Arabia is now. Traveling around the country and talking with locals, the spirit of change and modernization is felt by everyone. With such huge changes on the way, 2024 and 2025 are fascinating times to witness Saudi Arabia’s transition from its closed-off past to its future as a global tourism hub.
The Saudi government’s strategy to diversify the economy means that Riyadh will no longer be solely the historical heart of the country, but one of the leisure and entertainment centers of the Kingdom, alongside its louder counterpart, Jeddah.
It’s worth keeping in mind that, just because Saudi Arabia forbids the sale and consumption of alcohol, does not mean that Saudis don’t know how to enjoy their city. It may even be part of the reason Saudi Arabia has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Whether it’s for solo, female or family travel, Riyadh is a very safe – and fun – tourist destination for this winter.
What are some of the fun things to do in Riyadh?
No visit to Riyadh would be complete without enjoying its historical sights, such as the Masmak Fortress and the Murabba Historical Palace. However, once you’ve experienced these, let your hair down with these fun things to do in Riyadh (plus one amazing attraction scheduled to open in 2025).
1. Best for city views in Riyadh: Sky Bridge at the Kingdom Center
There’s no mistaking the Kingdom Center that dominates the Riyadh skyline. Shaped like a giant bottle opener (or a potato peeler, depending on how you see it), the 65-meter-long bridge atop the 300-meter-tall tower may be one of the world’s most spectacular viewing platforms.
It’s only from here at the Sky Bridge that you can truly appreciate the dizzying scale of Riyadh. On the city streets far below, people seem like ants and vehicles seem like toy cars. The unbroken views to the horizon, over this sprawling megapolis, make the Sky Bridge one of the best things to do in Riyadh.
The Sky Bridge is served by a series of fast elevators, and entry currently costs SAR 69 (approximately US$18). Possibly a little hard to find, the entrance to the Sky Bridge is located in the Kingdom Center shopping mall, just next to the MontBlanc store.
2. Best for outdoor adventure in Riyadh: Dune bashing and desert safari
In a dry country of such huge proportions, there are infinite opportunities for fun in the sand. Riyadh is situated within easy access of some of the country’s most awe-inspiring desert landscape, which can be experienced by a 4×4 vehicle or quadbike dune bashing outing.
Many people know that the nearby UAE destinations of Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer similar experiences. The difference with desert safaris in Saudi Arabia, however, is that it seems a much less overtly “touristic” experience. You are likely to meet local people for whom this is a genuine weekend pastime.
You will need to join a tour in order to get to the best sand dunes. Local knowledge is key to staying safe in the desert.
3. Best for traditional shopping in Riyadh: Souq Al Zak
Once you’ve ticked off the historical Masmak Fortress from your list, it’s time to go shopping.
Head to the Souq Al Zak for Riyadh’s best traditional market and one of the best things to do in Riyadh. Everything under the sun is available here, including handicrafts, souvenirs, perfumes, artwork, homeware and even musical instruments.
When browsing the souq, try whatever samples are on offer. Also make sure to bargain for the best price, just as you would at other traditional markets in the Middle East. After your traditional shopping experience, take a break at one of the many cafes and restaurants on Deera Square.
4. Best thing to do in Riyadh at night: Boulevard City
Riyadh’s ubiquitous shopping malls are great, but none of them have the in-your-face artistic dazzle and ambition of Boulevard City. Think of it as Riyadh’s boldest entertainment district, combining visual elements of New York’s Times Square and the Dubai Mall.
Don’t be put off if that sounds tacky. Just next to Boulevard City’s gardens and dancing fountains is a wax museum, tennis courts, and a full-scale amusement park with rides. There are also performance spaces, shopping outlets, cafes and a huge variety of restaurants representing world and local cuisines. Even just from the perspective of checking out Riyadh’s tremendous futurist goals, Boulevard City is well worth your time.
Check here for a list of upcoming performances and events at Boulevard City. The 2024-25 winter season will be especially vibrant, as this is Saudi Arabia’s peak tourist period.
5. Best things to do in Riyadh for families: Riyadh Zoo
Housing over 1300 animals from around 190 species, including lions, giraffes, elephants and eagles, a trip to the zoo offers a memorable day out with the family in Riyadh. After the museums or historical landmarks of Riyadh may have worn away the kids’ patience, they will especially enjoy the spectacle of seeing so many animals up close.
It may come as a surprise that a country like Saudi Arabia has zoos containing such a large variety of animals. You should always make your own ethical decision about visiting zoos. However, it may reassure you that the animal conditions and facilities at Riyadh Zoo are generally considered fairly good.
Riyadh Zoo is in the Malaz district of eastern Riyadh, and you can get there by bus, or more conveniently by taxi.
6. Best alternative experience in Riyadh: Doos Karting
Many people associate Saudi Arabia with fast sports cars and races along empty stretches of desert highway. But, without stretching your travel budget to luxury supercars, it’s also possible to get behind the wheel of a go-kart at Doos Karting.
Along its indoor and outdoor tracks, the go-karts at Doos Karting can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h. Best visited of course in a small- or medium-sized group, you can buy packages for parties of different sizes, and with varying numbers of races.
Choose from Doos Karting’s two locations in Riyadh, which are oddly nearby one another. One of the locations is at Boulevard City, and the other is in the nearby neighborhood of Hittin. The tracks also stay operational late into the evening and the early hours of the morning.
7. Best for natural views in Riyadh: Edge of the World
One of the most popular day trips from Riyadh is the dramatic cliff at the Tuwaik Mountain Range. The cliff is otherwise known as the “Edge of the World.”
In a desolate and arid landscape, the cliff stands 1,131 meters above an interminable expanse of desert to the west. Saudi Arabia is a truly humongous country, and this is one of the places where you can try to grasp the immensity – and tranquility – of this sense of endless space.
Situated about 100 km away from Riyadh, it is best to visit the Edge of the World escarpment with a pre-arranged tour. Alternatively, you could get there by self-driving, although you will need a 4×4 for this journey across rough terrain.
Travel tip: At the time of writing, access to the Edge of the World has been restricted due to a car incident involving foreigners. When attempting to travel, check here for the latest updates.
8. Best amusement park in Riyadh: Six Flags Qiddiya City
The American amusement park chain, Six Flags, is due to open a park near Riyadh in 2025.
This will not be “just another theme park.” It seems that Six Flags Qiddiya City is wishing to go after every single record in the book and smash them.
The park’s highly anticipated “Falcon’s Flight” will be the fastest, longest and highest rollercoaster in the entire world. Besides this, the 145-meter “Sirocco Tower” will be the world’s tallest free-standing vertical ride, and the stomach-turning “Gyrospin” will break the world record for tallest pendulum ride.
With such headline-grabbing rides, Six Flags Qiddiya will easily be one of the Middle East’s premier entertainment destinations when it opens.
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