Three days in Riyadh
Day 1
Edge of the World (Jebal Fihrayn)
If you had just one day in Riyadh, I would suggest visiting the Edge of the World. This place was definitely the highlight of my time in Riyadh. Located about two hours from Riyadh, the Edge of the World is a geological wonder. I was amazed by how the towering cliffs dramatically rise from the desert!
The name “the Edge of the World” is actually quite apt! While standing on the 300 m high cliff overlooking the vast surrounding plain, you actually feel you are at the edge of the world. The vast plain you see below the cliff was actually a sea, which existed 150 million years ago. The Edge of the World was created by the movement of the Arabian tectonic plate 150 million years ago.
You can still see the impressions left behind by years of sedimentation.
Recommended tour: You definitely need an SUV and an experienced driver to get to this place given the terrain. I booked a group tour with Hiking Tours Riyadh. You can contact Hiking Tours on WhatsApp (+966 55 450 8867) to enquire about prices and make a booking. Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes for the tour as you will be walking on a lot of rocks and sand!
Day 2
Red sand dunes
Although not as impressive and big as the Sahara dunes in Algeria, I still enjoyed my afternoon in the red dunes. It was fun walking barefoot from one dune to the next. The pink-orange sky at twilight with the canyons in the background made the whole setting feel magical. The evening ended with a delicious chicken casserole cooked by my driver on a wood fire.
Recommended tour: I would recommend The Horizon Tours. You can contact their key contact Abdulrahman on WhatsApp (+966 55 162 6319) to book. You can also rent a quad bike on the red dunes if you want (I did not).
Day 3
Al Faisaliyah Tower
If you wish to see Riyadh’s skyline, you should visit the observation point at Al Faisaliyah Tower. The tower is said to be built in the shape of a ballpoint pen.
Admission: SAR 40 (as of Dec 2019)
Al Masmak Fortress
If you want to understand the kingdom and its history, this is the place to visit. Built in clay and mud, Masmak Fortress played an important role in the foundation of the kingdom. The fortress is built in the Najd architectural style and has been well restored. The exhibits are presented in both Arabic and English. You could easily spend an hour here!
Admission: Free (as of Dec 2019)
Souq Al Zell
Souq Al Zell is located in Ad Diriyah neighbourhood in the old town of Riyadh, right next to the Al Masmak fort. Here, you will find antiques, traditional attire, Arabic coffee pots, oud (perfume) and handwoven carpets.
Inside the souq, many shopkeepers are seated outside their shops on chairs or stools, chatting to each other or enjoying shisha (tobacco pipe). Unlike the souqs in Istanbul and Marrakech, shopping at Souq Al Zell is a relaxed experience. The salesmen here aren’t too pushy!
There’s also an open-air live antiques auction every Friday and Saturday – the Saudi weekend – for a few hours following the afternoon prayers.
Visiting the antiques auction was like a trip back in time. Here you will find Arabian coffee pots, brass vases, incense burners, vintage cameras and typewriters. The antique dealers in their traditional robes and keffiyeh (Arabic headgear) were seated in a circle. The man conducting the auction was the highlight! I loved the energy and passion with which was carrying out the auction. He conducted the auction in a high pitched voice, which made the auction quite entertaining! I don’t understand Arabic but I could definitely make out that he was asking the buyers for a price higher than the bid.
Admission: Free
Recommended restaurant for local cuisine
Local cuisine: Najd Village
Saudi cuisine isn’t amongst my favourites. It’s actually quite basic, not as sophisticated as Lebanese or Persian cuisine, but I would still recommend that you do give it a shot if you want to be immersed in Saudi culture. For local cuisine, I would recommend Najd Village. Najd Village feels like you are going back in time. Unlike other buildings in Riyadh, this establishment was built in the traditional Najd style with homely wooden features, traditional rugs and décor. The restaurant was set up with booths, each capable of comfortably taking 3-6 diners, suitable for small groups or families. You need to leave shoes outside the seating section and sit on the floor. I really enjoyed the overall experience of Saudi dining, eating while seated on the ground.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experiences and for opening up our world to such beautiful destinations. Your honest yet kind approach brings out the beauty of every place you visit very well and makes the articles fascinating to read. Every picture here is stunning! Your passion for travelling and for sharing your experiences with us is highly appreciated and valued. Thank you for doing what you do!😊
Soni, Thank you very much for appreciating my work. Glad that you liked the content and the pictures 🙂