The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is filled with incredible historical landmarks and sites, such as Riyadh’s historical Diriyah.
However, one of the most significant places in Saudi history lies just outside of the capital of Riyadh.
Known as the birthplace of the Saudi State, the historical district of Diriyah offers a glimpse into the rise of one of the world’s most impressive kingdoms.
Located in the northwestern outskirts of Riyadh, Diriyah was the first home of the Saudi royal family.
It rests on the edge of the stunning oasis of Wadi Hanifa that runs through the Riyadh district and was once home to a powerful city center.
Diriyah was named the capital of the region in 1727 and would be the beginning of a unified Saudi Arabia. After the fall of Diriyah in 1818 to the Ottomans, the capital was moved to Riyadh.
If you’re traveling to Saudi Arabia and looking for things to do in this breathtaking heritage site, you’re in luck!
Not only can you spend an entire day soaking up the history and culture of Diriyah, but you can also have a lot of fun. Here are a few suggestions on how to pass your time in Riyadh’s Historical district of Diriyah.
Find Fun and History with These 5 Things to Do in Riyadh’s Historical Diriyah!
Historical Diriyah Day Tour
Learn more about Diriyah with a historical day tour of the palaces, landmarks, and important nearby sites. You can see everything from the Palace of Rings, to the Al Bajairy district, to walking through the ruins in the At-turaif quarter.
You can learn so much about the true history of the Diriyah region on a guided tour through the ancient city.
There are lots of options to choose from as far as tours go.
You can book a guide to take you through the majority of the region for the whole day, or choose to break it up into sections to get a more detailed experience.
A lot of tours will take you through on carts, or move slowly through the grounds to avoid overheating.
Though it is a “historical” district, it isn’t just old ruins. There are tons of restaurants, hotels, cafes, and so much more in the area.
So you can take a day tour of an ancient Saudi landmark and find yourself in the lap of luxury within the same day.
Walk Through Al Bujairi Heritage Park
A simply beautiful park lined with welcoming lights, rows of well-groomed palm trees and stunning green grasses, and filled with shops and restaurants, this isn’t your typical park.
With the ruins of Diriyah as a backdrop, this remarkable park is located just opposite the At-Turaif district.
Not only is this a gorgeous place to walk at sunset, or spend a nice morning picnic on the grass, but it is filled to the brim with fun things to do.
There are so many wonderful things available for the whole family to try in Al Bujairi Heritage Park. These include things like rides for children, visiting the bustling marketplace, taking classes on painting or crafts, and eating at food stalls.
You can also see projection shows at night projected onto the At-Turiaf district! There are also many local vendors and artist stores to shop at.
Al Bujairi Heritage Park is a magnificent blend of old and new. With sharp clean architecture and ground planning, this large park perfectly compliments the ruins of Diriyah.
Before traveling to the Al Bujairi Heritage Park, check the online schedule for events, concerts, light shows, and so much more. That way you get the most out of your visit here.