Dotted with different attractions, the city of Riyadh has something for everyone. Here is a list of popular activities in Riyadh that make visiting the city a memorable experience. In this blog, we look at:

1. The best things to do in Riyadh
2. Popular adventure activities in Riyadh
3. Top family activities in Riyadh
4. The best cultural experiences in Riyadh

The best things to do in Riyadh

1. Pray at the Al Rajhi Grand Mosque

Known to be the largest and one of the most beautiful mosques in the city, Al Rajhi Grand Mosque is a must-visit on a trip to the city. Enjoying a wonderful location in the capital city, this mosque is truly an architectural marvel. It is an important Islamic institution in Saudi Arabia. Al Rajhi Grand Mosque hosts large community gatherings and different social events such as Eid.

Location: 7084 Al Akheyar, Al Jazirah, Riyadh

2. Enjoy an evening at King Abdullah Park

Riyadh’s King Abdullah Park, earlier known as Al-Malaz Square, is a wonderful tourist destination and attracts visitors from every age group. Sprawling across an area of 79 acres, King Abdullah Park is known to be the largest urban park in Riyadh. It is well-known for the pedestrian corridor, 110-meter long huge laser fountains, eating joints, playgrounds for kids and an artificial lake. The park also organizes certain events like Saudi National Day. The main highlight of this park is the dancing water fountain, which is one of the main things to do in Riyadh at night.

Location: Al Ameen Abdullah Al Ali Al Naeem St, Al Malaz, Riyadh
Timings: 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

3. Shop at Al Nakheel Mall

No trip is complete without shopping. With Riyadh being home to different malls, tourists can easily establish a shopping-spree. Al Nakheel Mall is known to be the biggest mall in the city. It is a one-stop-shop to purchase various products such as apparel, footwear, perfumes, toys, sunglasses, jewelry, books, stationery, furniture, glassware, home accessories and many more. Shopping or visiting Al Nakheel Mall is a popular activity to do in Riyadh.

Location: Al-Imam Saud Ibn Abdul Aziz Branch Rd, Al Mughrizat, Riyadh
Timings: Thursday and Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Saturday to Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m

4. Visit the Kingdom Tower and Skybridge

Among the top skyscrapers, Kingdom Tower Center in Riyadh is the world’s third largest building. It has a skybridge that connects the two edges of the tower and offers beautiful views of the city. The tower has luxury hotels, offices, shopping hubs, and apartments. Tourists visiting Kingdom center get the option to enjoy the view from 99 floors of the Kingdom center, or take part in fun activities offered at numerous arcades. They get the option to shop at popular brands or experience delicious Arabian and international cuisine at famous cafes and restaurants.

Top stores and eateries: The center houses world renowned brands such as Louis Vuitton, Avanti, Gucci, Burberry, Dior, Tiffany And Co. and more. There are also eateries from chains like Burger King, KFC, Subway, Baskins Robbins, and standalone cafes like So Souffle, and Chouse Café.

Location: Kingdom Center, King Fahad Road, Riyadh

Must Read: Kingdom Centre Tower, Riyadh – A Landmark Skyscraper Ft. Mall, Eateries, Entertainment

Adventure Activities in Riyadh

5. Hike to the Edge of the World

Jebel Fihrayn, more commonly known as Edge of the World, deserves a place in the itinerary of every traveler visiting the city. A perfect place for hiking in Riyadh, the visit to this place will evoke a sea of emotions. Also, one of the best spots for planning outdoor activities in Riyadh, Jebel Fihrayn, offers a range of trails for the hikers to reach its top. This geological wonder offers dramatic views of the sprawling horizon. Visitors can see captivating blue sky melting into the barren land.

Must Read: Edge Of The World, Saudi Arabia: A Gorgeous Site For Hiking, Camping, And Sunrise-Views

6. Go Quad biking on Red Sand Dunes

Quad biking in Red Sand Dunes of the Hidden Valley area is another adventurous outdoor activity in Riyadh, worth adding to the Riyadh travel itinerary. As the name suggests, these Red Sand Dunes are huge windswept dunes located in the midst of mountains. Here, travelers can rent quad bikes for a nominal amount. Due to hot weather, It is advisable to go quad biking in the morning hours or late afternoon.

Things to do in Riyadh with Family

7. Go for a family outing to Riyadh Zoo

Sprawling over an area of 55 acres, Riyadh Zoo attracts millions of visitors annually. Known to be one of the largest zoos in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Zoo houses more than 196 species of animals coupled with 20,000 different types of flora. The zoo also offers a train ride to the visitors through which visitors can take a tour of the entire premises. Riyadh zoo also features snacks kiosks, prayer halls, outdoor plaza, Romanian theatre, gifts shop, 5D cinema and a conservation center. Opened for public in 1987, the zoo is a perfect place for visiting with family.

Location: Al Ihsa, Al Malaz, Riyadh
Timings:

Men
Monday: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Women
Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.,

Families
Wednesday, Thursday: 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday: After Jummah Prayer – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

8. Farm day at Al Safi Farm

A trip to Al Safi Farm gives one’s family the chance to experience rural living, from viewing cows being milked and plants being packaged to learning about agricultural techniques and the history of the farm itself.

Location: Al Safi Dairy Farm, Al-Kharj
Opening hours: Sun-Thu, 8am-5pm
Contact: alsafidanone.com | 050 544 5026

9. Fun time at BOUNCE Rawdah

At Bounce, it’s all about getting moving and embracing those freestyle motions, as the name implies. This is amongst the best fun activities to do with your family. The facility has a vast network of connected trampolines, cushioned climbing walls, launch pads, and an adventure course.

Location: 4466 Khurais Branch Road, Ar Rawdah
Opening hours: Open daily, 2pm-10pm
Contact: bounce.sa | 092 000 6744

Top Cultural Experiences in Riyadh

10. Explore the historical Diriyah’s Al Bujairy District

Though only some parts of Diriyah are open to visitors, exploring the district still is among the top things to do in riyadh with family. It is a part of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious developments in the cultural and heritage sector. The district comprises twisting streets coupled with mud huts including Diriyah Museum, which have undergone a huge transformation and have now become heritage sites. Visitors can relish delicious dishes in various cafes and restaurants located in the region.

11. Walk through the KSA’s rich heritage at the National Museum

The National Museum is one of the best places to comprehensively know about Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage. National Museum is the biggest museum in the country that showcases the Arabian prehistory, history, art and culture of different eras. The museum has eight halls in total and organizes diverse exhibitions, activities, and programs to keep visitors entertained.

Location: Historical Centre, King Abdul Aziz, Al Murabba, Riyadh
Timings: Monday to Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Sunday – Closed

12. Visit World Sights Park to see replicas of world’s famous landmarks

World Sights Park, or the Landmark park of Riyadh, is a significant tourist attraction in the city. Visiting this park is among the most memorable things to do in Riyadh for expats. The park houses small replicas of landmarks in the world such as the Taj Mahal, Al-Masjid al-Haram, the Eiffel Tower, the Prophet’s Mosque and many more. The recommended duration for navigating this park is between 1 to 1.5 hours. Visitors can also find a number of snack carts and vendors to satiate their hunger while roaming around the park.

Location: 4298 Nasir Ar Rajihi, Al Mughrizat, 7164, Riyadh

Timings:

Wednesday to Sunday (families and women) – 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Tuesday (only men) – 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Monday – closed

Entry Fee: SR 10 for adults

13. Try the amazing Arabian cuisine

Riyadh surely satisfies every food lover by offering a diverse array of delectable cuisines, like Middle Eastern, Turkish, Lebanese, Asian, American and Italian. Some of the must-visit restaurants in the city are The Globe, Elements, Spazio, The Najd Village, Fairuz Garden, Mirage Restaurant and Lusin.

14. Explore history at The Museum of Happiness

Playfulness and engagement are aggressively promoted in the Museum of Happiness. There is a lot to excite and entertain visitors, including art installations, themed chambers with enormous teddy bears, marshmallow-filled pools, enormous gumball machines, and more. It is a setting where children’s imaginations may soar in the greatest way imaginable.

Location: Riyadh Front, Gate 4
Opening hours: Open Sun-Wed, 3 pm-11 pm | Thu-Sat 2 pm-midnight
Contact: 050 009 4121

The best time to visit Riyadh is period between November and March. During this time, the weather is quite cool and pleasant  for outings and excursions. It is also suitable for adventure activities in Riyadh. King Khalid International Airport serves the city and connects it with multiple cities, both regional and international. Even within the city, cabs are easily available and are a preferred way of exploring top tourist places in Riyadh. Tourists visiting the city gets many options of things to do in Riyadh and take back worth remembering memories to their homes.

Things To Do In Riyadh FAQs

The post Top Things To Do In Riyadh: Adventure & Cultural Activities appeared first on Zamzam Blogs.

Visitors can look forward to an onsite restaurant and coffee shop to enjoy delicious food. In addition, there are six snack kiosks within the premises; thereby, making it easier for the visitors to satiate hunger pangs. Enjoying a central location in Riyadh, the zoo is easily accessible from different points in the city. Some of the other amazing features of Malaz Zoo include 5D cinema, prayer halls for men and women, an outdoor plaza, Romanian theater and a conservation center.

History

Formerly known as Riyadh Zoological Gardens, Malaz Zoo was established in 1957 for King Saud and his family. In 1981, the entire structure of Riyadh Zoological Gardens was completely demolished, and six years later, in 1987, a new public zoo was established. Designed by London-based consultants, Riyadh was opened to the public in the corresponding year. One year later, i.e., in 1988, many animals from different countries, like Singapore, the U.S., Peru, Australia, Egypt and Kenya, became a part of the Zoo.

Flora & Fauna at Malaz Zoo, Riyadh

• It is home to 1,500 wildlife animals of 196 species
• The zoo dispatched two native sand cats to the U.S.-based Cincinnati Zoo
• Visitors can also see Bengal Tigers, which are native to the Indian subcontinent
• The Malaz Zoo also houses endangered species
• There are nearly 80 species of birds in the zoo

Location, Timings, Entry Fee

Riyadh Zoo Location: Mosab Ibn Umair St, Al Ahsa, Al Malaz, Riyadh

Riyadh Zoo Timings: The Zoo timings are different for each day of the week. Some are just the ‘family days’, i.e., on those particular days, only families are allowed within the premises. Moreover, some days are also reserved for males and females differently. The zoo remains on Sundays. The opening time of Malaz Zoo is 8:30 am, and recommended visit duration for the zoo is two to three hours.

Days Reserved for Men:
Monday: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Wednesday: 8:30 pm – 12:00 pm

Days Reserved for Women:
Tuesday: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Thursday: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Days Reserved for Families:
Wednesday, Thursday: 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Friday: After Jummah Prayer – 6:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Best time to visit : The best time to visit the national zoo in Riyadh is between November and March. The weather in these months is cool and pleasant.

Riyadh Zoo Entry Fee: The ticket prices of the Zoo vary as per the age groups

• For 12 years and above – SAR 10.50
• For children below 12 years of age – SAR 2.5
• Train ticket price at Malaz Zoo – SAR 2

Riyadh Zoo Reviews & Contact

Website: http://www.zoo.com.sa/
Phone: +966-234-567-8900
Riyadh Zoo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riyadh_zoo/?hl=en
Riyadh Zoo Reviews | Malaz Zoo Google Reviews

Things to keep in mind

There is no doubt about the fact that watching animals in the zoo is a treat to sore eyes. However, while visiting the zoo, visitors should keep some basic pointers in mind so that the overall experience can be hassle-free and memorable.

• Visitors should carry hats or caps to protect themselves from the sun
• One should also apply sunscreen before heading out to visit Malaz Zoo
• Travelers should wear proper attire and shoes
• One should not try to enter animals’ enclosures
• Feeding animals or birds, teasing them or playing any type of music is strictly prohibited
• Travelers should not litter anything and ensure that the premises are kept clean
• Smoking should also be avoided within the premises
• Visitors should also adhere to the signboards and directions from the staff
• One should cooperate with the staff during checking
• Travelers should not carry their pets while visiting the zoo and keep an eye on their children
• Visitors should purchase tickets beforehand to avoid queues

Attractions near Riyadh Zoo

Riyadh Zoo has many attractions that offer fun and entertainment for kids. Besides, there are popular places to see and eat at nearby. There are snacks available at the onsite café and restaurant but there are options outside as well.  Some of the best eating joints around are Zoo Grill Restaurant, Zaitoon Indian and Chinese Restaurant, The Sandwich Company, The Butcher Shop & Grill, and Yauatcha Riyadh. If you have time at hand, some of the top sightseeing places to visit near Malaz Zoo are King Abdullah Park, Kingdom Centre Tower, Masmak Fortress, Al Faisaliyah Centre, and The Saudi National Museum.

Riyadh Zoo FAQs

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