6 Riyadh landmarks to visit this autumn
From Al Masmak Palace to the Sky Bridge at Kingdom Centre, six places in and around Riyadh for history, markets and views, with opening hours from the official listings.
Autumn is when Riyadh's outdoor and heritage sites come back into their own. These six cover the city's history, an old market, a green valley and a view from the top, with the details listed by Visit Saudi, the Saudi Tourism Authority's official site. Check the weather before heading out: the Civil Defense has warned of rain in several regions this week.
1. Al Masmak Palace: the mud-brick fort in the middle of Riyadh, built as a residence and seat of power in the time of Imam Abdullah bin Faisal. Inside it is a museum on the unification of the Kingdom, and the tip of a spear from the 1902 battle for Riyadh is still lodged in its gate. Open Saturday to Thursday 8am to 9pm and Friday 8am to 4pm.
2. The National Museum of Saudi Arabia: galleries on the history and heritage of the Arabian Peninsula, from early times to the founding of the Kingdom, in the King Abdulaziz Historical Center.
3. Souq Al Zal: one of Riyadh's oldest markets, known for spices, traditional goods and antiques. Open every day from 3:30pm to 10:30pm.
4. Wadi Hanifa: the green valley that runs past Diriyah, with walking paths, picnic spots and clear evening skies. No ticket is needed.
5. At-Turaif District: the historic mud-brick district of Diriyah, the first Saudi state's capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check diriyah.sa for visiting times before you go.
6. Sky Bridge at Kingdom Centre: the walkway at the top of Kingdom Centre with a view over the whole city. The Kingdom Centre mall is open Saturday to Thursday 9am to 11:30pm and Friday 3:30pm to 10:30pm.
