Tours & tickets

Masmak Fortress

We start our tour of Riyadh by visiting the primary custodian of the Saudi national heritage and culture, the National Museum. Today it is a place of learning and discovery that hosts a unique collection of artifacts and covers the whole history of the Arabian Peninsula up to the modern era. After this, we continue to the nearby Murrabba Palace which used to be the royal residence where King Abdulaziz hosted his court. The palace was named after it's square 40 by 40 meters shape and is now one of the city’s major museums. Adjacent to the palace, a modern building hosts a collection of King Abdulaziz’s personal items that we will briefly tour. These places are at the heart of the birth of the Saudi nation. Lunch in the city. In the afternoon we delve further into old Riyadh by going to the downtown area, visiting the old “Souq” the Dirah Souq famous for buying antique carpets and other useful Saudi heritage antiques, while walking we will always smell sandalwood fragrance and the scents or orient. The Souq is known for men’s clothing and one of the entertainments is to watch the auction which takes place every Friday. Then we will visit the Masmak Fort which is just walking distance from the Old Souq and whose importance is linked to the creation of the 3rd Saudi Kingdom, the modern one we live in. The fortified palace was built during the reign of Abdullah bin Rashid in the year 1895 A.D. to serve as a military garrison for the Abdullah bin Rashid army. His Majesty King Abdulaziz, the father of today’s nation, captured the fort in 1902, marking the beginning of the reconquest of Arabia by the House of Saud. From there we will head to the famous Kingdom Tower and its Sky Bridge to see Riyadh from a panoramic viewpoint nearly 300 meters above the city.

From the moment your tour starts, your tour leader will give you full attention. Once in the car, your tour leader will talk to you about all the things on the way as well as other aspects of your tour that will interest you. Start your tour visiting the National Museum of Saudi Arabia which has been established in 1419 as a significant part of the king Abdulaziz historical center in Riyadh. Very impressive and important museum about the entire Saudi history, Saudi royal family, the kingdom formation, and everything regarding the political context. you will be led to numerous antiques, manuscripts, and documents that are all chronologically organized. It includes eight main halls: Hall of Man and the Universe, Arab Kingdoms, Pre-Islamic Era, Prophet’s Mission, First Saudi State, Unification of the Kingdom Hall & Hall of Hajj and Two Holy Mosques. The museum includes interesting examples of Arabian and Islamic art as well as architecture. The masterpieces include Prehistoric Elephant Skeleton, huge meteor found in the Empty Quarter in Saudi Arabia desert, Rock Grafitti from Hejaz region backdate to pre Islamic era, Copy of rosetta stone, an example of Madaian Salah Rock-cut tombs. Then enjoy the National museum park walks through the outdoor gardens one of the best gardens you will visit in Saudi Arabia. King Abdulaziz’s historical park is an open area that you can enjoy with your family. Then proceed to the Hall of King Abdulaziz where there is a showroom of old cars that were used by the king. Then we will move to the next visit to Murraba palace is among the most important palace built by King Abdulaziz. This Palace was to accommodate his family. It was built on the local traditional Najid style by using local building material only. enjoy amazing photos here inside Murraba palace. Then you will visit the Dira Souq traditional Saudi market which is famous for its variety of old copper and brass objects including silver daggers, silver Beduin’s Jewelry and dresses. While entering from main access, one always smells sandalwood fragrance. Dira Souq is worth buying antique carpets and other useful Saudi heritage antiques. Then visit the Al Masmak, Enjoy and step back in time and explore Saudi Arabia’s roots. Fascinating exhibitions on display show maps and photographs of Saudi Arabia, alongside a range of historical artifacts, artworks and audiovisual attractions. A short documentary also re-enacts the capture of the fortress by King Abdul Aziz, whose spearhead you can still see embedded in its wooden gate. At the end photo stop at Al–Rajhi Mosque is one of the most famous and largest mosques in the city of Riyadh. Travel in comfort back to your hotel, Riyadh has so much to see, feel, eat and buy so if you have time and want to add more to your itinerary – just let us know what you are interested in and we will arrange it for you.

Day 1: Arrival After you arrive in Riyadh and go through customs and immigration, meet and greet your guide at the airport. Get private transportation to the hotel and ensure that you have everything that you need to get settled in. Day 2: Diriyah & the Kingdom Centre Discover the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and explore its capital city, Riyadh. Head to Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the place where it all started. About 300 years ago, the First Saudi State (the predecessor to modern-day Saudi Arabia) was initially established in Diriyah, the hometown of the Royal Family. Afterwards, head to the Kingdom Centre, one of the tallest towers in Saudi Arabia. Day 3: Al Masmak & Al Muraba'a Fortresses Further delve into the Kingdom's history by touring these two historical fortresses: Al Masmak Fortress: A 150-year-old fortress was one of the first battlegrounds in King Abdulaziz’s campaign to unify Saudi Arabia. Al Muraba'a: The official residence of King Abdulaziz (modern-day Saudi Arabia’s founder) and a place for the King to greet and host world leaders and foreign delegations. Day 4: Goodbye Riyadh, Hello Al Ula After having breakfast at the hotel and checking out, head to the airport for your flight to al Ula, an ancient oasis town in the northwest of Saudi Arabia. Day 5: Al Ula Explore the history and natural beauty of al Ula. Visit Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first-ever UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is rich with tombs, artistic drawings, and imagery that date back to the 1st century AD. After that, walk along the Heritage Oasis Trail, which is covered by native palm trees and surrounded by picturesque mountains and rocks. Day 6: Drive to Medina Start your day by having breakfast. Afterwards, start driving towards the next destination: Medina, the first capital of Islam (622-661 AD) and home to the Mosque of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), the second holiest site in Islam. In Medina, have an open day to allow you to explore and discover this historically and religiously significant city. Day 7: Head to Jeddah After having breakfast and checking out of the hotel, start the journey towards Jeddah via the scenic route along the beautiful Red Sea coast. Day 8: Al Balad Get an authentic taste of local and Islamic history in the Old City of Jeddah (al Balad). A UNESCO World Heritage Site, al Balad is rich with 500-year-old buildings, Umayyad, Abbasid and Ottoman-era architectural designs, cultural centers, and museums. Day 9: The Corniche & Tayebat Museum Alongside discovering Islamic and local history at the al Tayebat Museum, spend the day at the Jeddah Corniche. Walk along the beautiful and scenic coast of the Red Sea, and choose between many types of authentic cuisines to satisfy your taste buds, a variety of designer stores to shop at, and multiple live music venues to enjoy. Day 10: Departure After having breakfast and checking out, get transportation to the airport based on your flight's departure time.

Start your tour visiting the National Museum of Saudi Arabia which has been established in 1419 as a significant part of the king Abdulaziz historical center in Riyadh. Very impressive and important museum about the entire Saudi history, Saudi royal family, the kingdom formation, and everything regarding the political context. you will be led to numerous antiques, manuscripts, and documents that are all chronologically organized. It includes eight main halls: Hall of Man and the Universe, Arab Kingdoms, Pre-Islamic Era, Prophet’s Mission, First Saudi State, Unification of the Kingdom Hall & Hall of Hajj, and Two Holy Mosques. The museum includes interesting examples of Arabian and Islamic art as well as architecture. The masterpieces include Prehistoric Elephant Skeleton, huge meteor found in the Empty Quarter in Saudi Arabia desert, Rock Grafitti from the Hejaz region backdate to pre Islamic era, Copy of rosetta stone, an example of Madaian Salah Rock-cut tombs. Then we will move to the next visit to Murraba palace is among the most important palace built by King Abdulaziz. This Palace was to accommodate his family. It was built in the local traditional Najid style by using local building materials only. enjoy amazing photos here inside Murraba palace. Saudi Lunch at Najd traditional Saudi top restaurant. The restaurant offers a convenient place rich in history and heritage and rich in delicious traditional Saudi meals. An ideal choice to enjoy the most delicious Saudi cuisine in a distinctive atmosphere that reflects the heritage and life of the beautiful past, with sittings inspired by the ancient past of Saudis. Then you will visit Riyadh’s Souk Al-Zal, a shopping trip through time. The market can trace its history back to 1901, to the beginning of modern Saudi Arabia. It sits within a stone’s throw of the Masmak fortress – the site where, in 1902. Then visit the Al Masmak, Enjoy and step back in time and explore Saudi Arabia’s roots. Fascinating exhibitions on display show maps and photographs of Saudi Arabia, alongside a range of historical artifacts, artworks and audiovisual attractions. A short documentary also re-enacts the capture of the fortress by King Abdul Aziz, whose spearhead you can still see embedded in its wooden gate. Then you will visit Kingdom Tower or Mamlaka Tower the tallest building in the city which is located on the commercial strip in the Oalya district in Riyadh. This is the most famous tower in Riyadh. The shopping mall has lots of facilities and cafes to visit. Sky bridge Al Mamlaka at extra ticket a nice observation bridge where you can get magnificent panoramic view of the city. It has a number of restaurants and shops. Then make a photo stop at The Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Mosque, which is a large local mosque, the architectural style is similar to that of Middle Eastern countries.

From the moment your tour starts, your guide will give you full attention. Once in the car, your Tour leader will talk to you about all the things on the way as well as other aspects of your tour that will interest you. The Riyadh City Tour is a five-hour journey that showcases the capital city’s most prominent landmarks and attractions. Starting with the historic Masmak Fortress for a photo stop, visitors will learn about the rich history of the region before heading to the acclaimed King Abdulaziz Historical Center. This place offers an immersive experience of Saudi Arabia’s glorious past through exhibitions, documentaries, and multimedia displays. The next stop is the Kingdom Centre, one of the tallest skyscrapers in the country and home to a luxurious mall, a skybridge, and an observation deck for panoramic views of the city. With knowledgeable local guides, comfortable transportation, and a well-planned itinerary, the Riyadh City Tour offers a comprehensive introduction to the cultural, historical, and modern landmarks of this dynamic city

Discover the rich heritage of Saudi Arabia on a full-day tour of Riyadh. Visit the Masmak Fortress, explore the National Museum, and the magnificent Diriyah home of the Saudi royal family. Start the day by visiting the historical Masmak Fortress in Riyadh, which is a symbol of Saudi Arabia's rich heritage. Nearby is Justice Square, a calm place where kids play football and adults enjoy the cafes. A 1-minute walk from there is the carpet market where antiques, gold, traditional clothing, and carpets are sold. Next, head to the National Museum, which showcases the history, culture, and art of Saudi Arabia. Stop for lunch at an authentic Saudi restaurant, where you can savor traditional Saudi cuisine and experience the local flavors. After lunch, head to Diriyah's Al-Turaif District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the narrow streets, mud-brick houses, and palaces that tell the story of the country's founding.

Begin at Diriyah, within the UNESCO heritage jewel of At-Turaif, where the city's earliest chapters come to life. Wander through this historic treasure, admiring majestic mud-brick structures and intricate Najdi architecture that celebrate centuries of tradition. Start your journey by exploring Diriyah, the Masmak Fortress, Old Riyadh, and Al Zal, each brimming with historical and cultural significance. Accompanied by passionate local guides, you'll learn about the fascinating stories and heritage that define these iconic sites. The adventure continues with a sumptuous local feast, complete with a traditional water-smoking demonstration, allowing you to savor the authentic flavors and practices of the region. Engage in immersive cultural experiences by interacting with local artisans and vendors, gaining insights into their crafts and traditions. In addition to these guided activities, you'll have ample free time to shop and wander through one of Riyadh’s best souqs, discovering unique treasures and souvenirs. This tour is designed to be perfect for single travelers, couples, groups, and families, ensuring an enriching and enjoyable experience for all.