attractions REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Riyadh
Home to 4.5 million people, Saudi Arabia’s capital is a thriving metropolis with an ever-growing number of attractions in addition to a fascinating cultural heritage
Visitors keen to catch a glimpse of the kingdom’s antiquities, rich culture, time-honoured customs and traditional architecture are sure to find Riyadh ideal. From museums and libraries boasting priceless collections of centuries-old artefacts to villages such as Al-Ghat and Oshaiqer that still mirror the lifestyle of a bygone era, the capital is a draw card for visitors.
NATIONAL MUSEUM Covering the history of the Arabian Peninsula from its creation to the present day, visitors will find a detailed insight into the local culture and how it has evolved over the centuries. It also serves as a celebration of the life of the kingdom’s founding father, King Abdulaziz and tells the story of the
kingdom’s discovery of oil. Spread across eight halls, two of which are reserved for visiting exhibi- tions, exhibits are audio-visual. The museum is themed to cover the First and Second Saudi State, the Arabian Kingdoms, The Unification of the Kingdom, Islam and the Arab Peninsula, Man and Universe, The Hajj, Prophet Mohammad’s Mission and the Two Holy Mosques. The National Museum was built
as part of King Abdulaziz Historical Centre in 1999 and is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.
Sat to Thu 9am to noon and 3.30pm to 9.30pm, closed on Fri +966 1 4029500
nationalmuseum.org.sa Allow three hours; mornings are quieter; group size up to 20
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1 An art exhibit in Kingdom Tower
2 An exhibit at the National Museum
3 Window table setting at Al Faisaliah Tower with the KingdomTower in the distance
SAQR AL JAZEERA AVIATION MUSEUM Dubbed as one of Riyadh’s most impressive hidden gems, Saqr Al Jazeera is dedicated to preserving over 80 years of Saudi’s aviation history. The museum has a collec- tion of old aircraft once used by the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF). Its most valued possession, however, is a fully restored Boeing DC-3 Dakota that was presented by US President Franklin D Roosevelt to King Abdulaziz Al-Saud in February 1945. The museum offers visi- tors a chance to climb on board the DC-3 aeroplane and experi- ence how the royals travelled – a rare treat for aircraft aficionados. In addition to a range of equip-
ment, simulators and instrumen- tation, the museum also displays documents and photographs that reflect the initial days of the kingdom’s unification, as well as a video documenting the evolution of the RSAF to become one of the world’s most modern air forces.
Opening times: Sat to Wed, closed Thu and Fri +966 1 4029500
saqral-jazeera.gov.sa
AL DIR’IYAH DISTRICT Located 20 kilometres northwest of Riyadh, Dir’iyah was the original home of the Saudi royal family and served as the capital of the first Saudi dynasty from 1744 to 1818. The history of Diriyah dates back to the 15th
century
when it was founded by Mani Al-Mraydi, an ancestor of the Saudi royal family. Last year, its Turaif district was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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