Attractions in Riyadh

Kingdom Center
The place to see and be seen in central Riyadh is at the remarkable Kingdom Center, the tallest building in Saudi Arabia, owned by a Saudi prince and built to an unusual elliptical award-winning design. Besides containing modern offices, apartments, the Four Seasons Hotel and a fitness club, the Kingdom Center also houses a state-of-the art three-level shopping mall with more than 160 stores, anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue and Debenhams department stores. The center also bristles with dozens of first class international restaurants.
Address: Al-Urubah Road between King Fahd Road and Olaya Street, in the Olaya business district
Phone Number: +966 (0)1 211 2222
Email Address: kc@kingdomcenter.com.sa
Website: www.kingdomcenter.com.sa/kc
Hours: The shopping mall opens 9am to 12pm, and again from 4pm to 11pm

Riyadh Museum of History and Archaeology
This museum, chief among the numerous museums in Riyadh, showcases local art, religion and culture, as well as the diverse and intriguing history of the Arabian kingdoms, in eight sections. Artefacts such as clothing, weapons, jewelry and musical instruments, dating as far back as the Stone Age, are on display. Other city museums worth visiting are the National Museum, which contains ancient documents and furniture; the King Abdul Aziz Military Museum; and the Museum of Antiquities and Folklore.
Address: West of the old city center, Al-Bathaa
Phone Number: (0)1 419 1210
Admission: SR15

Al Musmak Castle
An important landmark and heritage site in the city of Riyadh, the Musmak fortress was built around 1865 and is the site associated with the foundation of the Saudi Arabian kingdom. The castle is open to the public, who can explore its impressive rooms, pillared mosque, gate, watchtowers and well.
Address: Al-Bathaa, city center
Hours: Saturday to Thursday 8am to 12pm and 4pm to 9pm. Men only on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday. On the other days women may visit accompanied by male family members
Admission: Free

Al Murabba'a Palace
A principal component of the King Abdulaziz Darat (an institute and library devoted to preserving Arabian history), situated just outside the original city walls, the palace has been preserved as a living example of Arabian royal life in days gone by. On the ground floor are the guard's room and storerooms, while upstairs visitors can view the reception salons, political offices and private apartments.
Address: Khazzan Street
Phone Number: (0)1 401 1999
Hours: Daily except Saturdays from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 9pm. Women may only visit with male family members on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons
Admission: Free

City of old Diriyah
The ruins of the historically significant city of Diriyah, standing imposing and silent in the desert about 12 miles (20km) northwest of Riyadh city center, provide an interesting excursion. The city, stronghold of the powerful Saud family, was the site of an important Islamic reform movement in around 1745, when two influential Imams called for the people to return to the true faith and abandon heresy, polytheism and superstition. The city was once the biggest in the Arab Peninsula, but was overtaken by Riyadh after being destroyed by the Turks in the early 19th century. The ruins of many of the mud-brick buildings remain to be explored.
Hours: Saturday to Thursday 8am to 6pm, 3am to 6pm on Fridays