Riyadh is the capital to the country of Saudi Arabia. The city is one of the most influential in the entire Middle East and is home to over 6.5 million people. Being the capital, it is a major hub of administration and finance. The city has a long and rich past which even casual tourist goers will come to observe as its influence can be found everywhere in the city, from its architecture to its food.
Best Time of Year to Visit Riyadh
The months between November and March are the best time to visit the city, the temperature during winter is most tolerable for tourists unaccustomed to the extremities of the desert climate. The winter period will be the most comfortable time to visit the city.
Befriend budget airlines
When booking flight tickets, research ahead and know which flights provide the best rates. Certain airlines emphasize economic flights and flying with them is much cheaper than major airlines. Some travel websites provide discounts for fliers to encourage tourists to fly more for example; ‘flyadeal’ provides great travel discounts for travellers booking tickets using their platform احجز رحلة طيران أديل and travel cheaper.
How to visit Riyadh
The most popular and convenient form of entering the city is via flight. The King Khalid international airport is 21 km north of Riyadh and ferries hundreds of passengers daily into the city. You can also travel via train, daily trains commute between major destinations to and out of Riyadh. One can also travel via car around the city.
The food culture of Riyadh
- Traditional food: The authentic food of Riyadh is heavily influenced by Arabic cuisine and several of its dishes are a mix of local cuisine and Arabic styles in their meals. Shawarma is a beloved wrap enjoyed by many in the country foreign and native. The Kabsa is a dish of rice similar to the Biryani but with several local flavors thrown into the mix. Kabsa is a delicacy one must enjoy when they are in the city and should not be missed.
- Street food of Riyadh: Yughmish is leavened bread filled inside with meat and is one of the most popular street dishes in the city. To simply call it street food is almost sinful as the humble Yughmish had every right to be served in the best diner with its taste and texture. Another popular local favourite is the Sobia. Particularly sold during Ramadan, this delicious drink is perfect for when one’s stomach has been fasting all day long.
Culture of Riyadh
- Festival in Riyadh: Riyadh celebrates a large variety of festivals, some of the more popular ones are, Janadrihya National Festival which is a two-week-long celebration of the country’s culture and heritage. It is the largest festival celebrated in the country and many countless activities are organized during the festival for people to take part.
- Music and dance: The music of Riyadh is wide and varied; you will find largely traditional singers who sing-song of worship and small but widely listen to modern groups of rock singers and the like. The dance of Saudi Arabia is heavily influenced by its folk tradition. One such peculiar dance is the Sword dance which comprises of men dancing with swords and shields in their hands in a circle.
- Traditional dresses: Dresses both modern and traditional follows strong Islamic influences and most men in the city wear thobes which is a traditional attire worn regardless of one’s social status. During the summer months, white thobes are worn and during winter months black thobes.
Must-visit places in Riyadh
- Masmak Fort: This old fort has been standing since 1895 and is located in the colder regions of Riyadh. Made with mudbrick and clay this impressive structure has defended the city on so many occasions in the past
- Deera Square: Also known as chop-chop square or Justice Square. The name was given due to the square being used as an execution ground for death-row convicts.
- Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque: One of the largest Mosques in the world. It is still active in the current date with many believers frequenting its halls to offer prayers every day.
- Ad Diriyah Old City: The ruins of Ad Diriyah are what used to be part of old Riyadh. Now all that remains are ruins of what was once a thriving city.
- Edge of the World: The edge of the world is a natural wonder due to its peculiar terrain. One can look over the entire region from its top uninterrupted.
- Camel Trail: 30 minutes from the city of Riyadh is the ancient route by camel travellers. Now several tourists flocked to the area to enjoy camel rides and to simply relax
- Red dunes: It is located in north-eastern Riyadh. The red dunes are a small desert region, unique for its red-colored dunes which are stark in comparison to the familiar brown sand of the desert
- Museums in Riyadh: Riyadh has several museums built to inform citizens and visitors about the rich history of the desert nation that overcame adversities to become one of the richest in the world. Some popular museums are the National Museum, Saqer-Aljazirah Aviation Museum and the Al-Masmak Palace Museum.
Check the hotel reviews online and book the hotel
Before booking a hotel, make sure to conduct proper research. The best way to do this is to look at reviews and ratings from past customers. Check for redflags like security, service flaws, and exorbitant prices in hotel rates. There are many موقع حجز فنادق رخيص one use to book hotels. Find yourself decent accommodation, not too far away from the city’s center and with good reviews.
Riyadh shopping experiences
There is no limit to top-class malls in Riyadh with several top brands selling their wares in them. If you are looking for more traditional markets, then the several local markets of Riyadh will do well to satisfy you. Souq Al Za is one of the oldest markets in entire Saudi Arabia. It is best to visit it around 6 pm which is when the market is at its peak. With many merchants selling all kinds of merchandise here, from dates, almond milk, toys, and jewellery. Make sure to bargain always before purchase so you always get the best deal.
