Bucket-List Discoveries of Riyadh

Visiting Al-Thumairi Souq provides you the opportunity to find the perfect souviner.

Deerah Souq (Al-Thumairi Souq)

Situated in the old part of the city near the iconic Al Masmak Fort, Deerah Souq is the premier souq to visit in all Saudi Arabia. Hundreds of little shops line the roads, each carrying their own take on treasure. Expect to find gold, silver, antiques, traditional clothes, authentic carpets and furniture in your perusing. Should something catch your eye as the perfect souvenir, don’t be afraid to bargain — most shop owners speak English.

Riyadh’s Royal Zoo is bound to introduce you to some of the nation's more wild inhabitants.

Riyadh’s Royal Zoo

Originally the private pet collection of King Saud bin Abdulaziz, the Riyadh Zoo didn’t take the form of a public hub until the 1980s. Today, it’s an impressive 55 acres of pleasant safari, showcasing more than 1,500 animals from just under 200 species. While the park is filled with diplomatic gifts from other nations, it’s the local species that steal the show. There are only 30 sand cats in captivity in the world, and you can see 14 of them at this zoo!  

There is no better place to learn about this storied nation than the National Museum of Saudi Arabia.

The National Museum of Saudi Arabia

Few (if any) places can claim to cover the scope of Saudi Arabia’s history as diligently as the National Museum. Centuries of Arabian history unfold in these eight halls, ranging from the origins of life through the Prophet Mohammad to the birth of the nation as it’s known today. You can easily spend a day wandering through time here, admiring Neolithic rock art, an exhibition of the Hajj as well as the stunning flower-wreathed gardens.

They call it the "Edge of the World" for a reason.

Edge of the World

This cityscape isn’t known only for its bustling business center and ancient civilization. Right outside Riyadh lies a hike few other routes in the world could hope to replicate, nay, match. The Edge of the World (or “Jebel Fihrayn”) earns its title due to the uninterrupted view from atop its 300-meter-high cliffs. The view is just half the joy of this outing — the journey up to the overlook is bound to be memorable thanks to the rugged terrain, steep climbs and sharp rocks. This hike isn’t a simple stroll; this is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true.

Inspired to seek out these experiences for yourself? Your next move should be to connect with one of our travel agents. Reading about a destination online can only get you so far when preparing to visit someplace; for true peace of mind, you’ll want to have a trusted travel professional on call for the duration of your trip (especially so for a country that’s still finding its footing, tourism-wise). The wonders of Saudi Arabia deserve to be experienced, but like most things in life, the reward to those who took the time to prepare.

Connect with one of our travel agents to get started planning your getaway to Riyadh today.