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Riyadh Things To Do

edge of the world - Riyadh
edge of the world
by redeagle
Reviews and photos of Riyadh attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Riyadh sightseeing.
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Desert and Sand Dunes
  • Tip Rating:
  • Cielo_Algaeed
  • Updated By Cielo_Algaeed on January 20, 2007
  • Riyadh Page by Cielo_Algaeed
  • Riyadh Things To Do
    by Cielo_Algaeed
    Saudi and other Gulf States are known for its magnificent deserts and sand dunes. Thumama Desert is one of it...about 30 minutes drive from central Riyadh..it has its own unique beauty that you have to explore again and again...

    I was amazed with the fine sand with an orange rusty color. Many families visit this place for a weekend get away.They go here for barbeque,picnic, football :-), baggy riding or just simply a breather from the city.

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    Ad Diriyah or Old Riyadh
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  • Cielo_Algaeed
  • Updated By Cielo_Algaeed on February 20, 2007
  • Riyadh Page by Cielo_Algaeed
  • Riyadh Things To Do
    by Cielo_Algaeed, 2 more photos
    Ad Diriyah or Old Riyadh is a 30 minutes drive from Central Riyadh.Here you can find the traditional and old houses of the Saudi people.

    It is usually brownish in color because it is made of mud or clay. The whole structure gives warmth during winter while it is cold during summer.

    As part of the government's project to preserve this kind of places....they have special projects which will take care of the few historical sites found here.

    Although new structures are being built within the area, they are encourage to build somehow a replica of the old structures.

    Many families do come here for a weekend get away from the city..They do barbeque and just enjoy the weekend with fresh air, the sites and the palm trees.

  • Directions: Take Qassim Rd to its junction with the ring road. Exit 4a of the ring road.Follow the brown signs to Old Dir'iyah.
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    Picnic
  • Tip Rating:
  • Cielo_Algaeed
  • Updated By Cielo_Algaeed on February 23, 2007
  • Riyadh Page by Cielo_Algaeed
  • Riyadh Things To Do
    by Cielo_Algaeed
    Picnic or Camping is one of the famous activity in Riyadh. Having hundreds of sand dunes and deserts to explore, families and friends travel together during weekends and holidays just to be away from the city. A simple yet fun thing to do.

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    Hashing in the desert
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  • sjazeerah
  • By sjazeerah on January 20, 2006
  • Riyadh Page by sjazeerah
  • Red Sands area - Riyadh
    Red Sands area
    by sjazeerah, 4 more photos
    HASH : one word but two meanings
    Hash is a british invention from the 1930 (founded in Malaysia) and means a group of people gather somewhere outside a city (like the desert) for a walk or run.
    Joining a Hash group is a real and often the only solution for expatriates in Riyadh who would like to go to the desert. Hash is not official in Saudi Arabia. You can only enter a group by reference. If you are interested proceed like this: ask Westerners at work, on parties, whereever whether they join Hash. If someone confirms ask him/her to join. There are three Hash-groups in Riyadh. Two of them run on Thursdays afernoon, the third one on Friday afternoon. During the walk you will also pass rockets like the the old witch (see my album 'godmade ...') and might find a lot of 30 million years old fossils as the Riyadh area was covered by the sea until that time.
    Camp outs in the desert are also frequently done by the Hashers. For me the absolute highlight and passion of my stay in Saudi Arabia.

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  • Address: meeting points are unofficial
  • Directions: ask preferably Westerners at work, on parties, visits whether they know about it and join on their own. The Hashers prefer the stone desert outside Riyadh for their walks.
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    Afternoon Tea
  • Tip Rating:
  • sjazeerah
  • By sjazeerah on January 20, 2006
  • Riyadh Page by sjazeerah
  • Afternoon tea on Faisalia Tower - Riyadh
    Afternoon tea on Faisalia
    Tower
    by sjazeerah, 4 more photos
    One of the few public places in Riyadh where men and women can gather together and spend a fabulous afternoon with or without (just the platform) afternoon tea.
    I recommend the afternoon tea: the price of SR 100 is well affordable and you can eat as much as you can in a stylish environment. The buffet is various. Saudi couples prefer to go upstairs to the cigar lounge with a more intimate atmosphere. You can stay from 15.30h until 19.30h overlooking Riyadh during daylight, sunset and darkness.
    Ladies can take off their Abbayas and the Mutawas (religious police) who might also visit the platform do not object.

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  • Address: Faisalia Tower, Olaya Street
  • Directions: Olaya district, Olaya road (Riyadh's main shopping road), enter Faisalia shopping centre, go upstairs and you will find the access to the Faisalia tower, go through to the elevator, show your Iqama/residence permit and book the ticket for the tower level
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    Buggy Ride
  • Tip Rating:
  • Cielo_Algaeed
  • Updated By Cielo_Algaeed on April 14, 2007
  • Riyadh Page by Cielo_Algaeed
  • Riyadh Things To Do
    by Cielo_Algaeed, 1 more photos
    Buggy is a small motorbike designed especially for sand dunes used.

    Baggy riding is one famous sand dunes activty aside from the 4x4 wheel drive in the sand.

    It is one fun ride both young and young at heart will enjoy.

    One hour rent would cost you 50SR though you can bargain upto 35SR.

    **One great spot to do this activity is near the Hidden Valley. The place is called Red Sand Dunes. The red orange sand looks really great with less stones/rocks **

  • Address: West Of Riyadh City Center
  • Directions: Take New Makkah Road past the entrance to the diplomatic quarter. AT the junction with the old Makkah road take the second exit marked Moqbil/Dirab. Turn Right towards Hafiret Nisah. About 19km more to reach the Red Sand Dunes.
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    Edge of the World
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  • Cielo_Algaeed
  • Updated By Cielo_Algaeed on April 10, 2007
  • Riyadh Page by Cielo_Algaeed
  • Riyadh Things To Do
    by Cielo_Algaeed, 2 more photos
    This can be a things to do tip or off the beaten path tip

    Edge of the World is located up straight from the Acacia Valley. This place is also called the rock framed window because from the cliffs you can see a dramatic view of the plains below.

    The view wasnt clear when we went there coz its very windy and dusty but a little glimpse from down below is really relaxing.

    Climb up the cliff and breath the fresh air...relax and feel the atmosphere :-) It was one of a kind experienced especially when it was just me and my hubby who were at the area.

    The desert travel was a bit scary worrying about flat tires, engine failure and taking the very steepy slopes and rocky roads. Nevertheless, it was a fun and memorable experienced.

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    Acacia Valley
  • Tip Rating:
  • Cielo_Algaeed
  • Updated By Cielo_Algaeed on April 10, 2007
  • Riyadh Page by Cielo_Algaeed
  • Riyadh Things To Do
    by Cielo_Algaeed, 2 more photos
    The lush green trees along Acacia Valley have made this a very popular picnic spot. The whole area is covered with huge acacia trees, wild flowers, birds and different insects.

    The Acacia Valley is still a very rich agricultural area as of today. You can see fields with vegetables and fruits which runs through the small villages.

    The way to the desert is really bumpy, rocky and dusty. So be prepared!

    You need a 4x4 car to get near the valley.

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    Almamlaka's Sky Bridge
  • Tip Rating:
  • Cielo_Algaeed
  • Updated By Cielo_Algaeed on January 20, 2007
  • Riyadh Page by Cielo_Algaeed
  • Riyadh Things To Do
    by Cielo_Algaeed,
    2 more photos
    Almamlaka or the Kingdom Tower is one of the famous landamarks of Riyadh today.
    It has 99 floors with designer shops at the lower floors while viewing deck/sky bridge is located on the 99th floor.

    The skybridge is an iron structure weighing 300tons and is located 300mts above ground level.

    The trip to the transfer level (77th floor) will last for 50 seconds while at the end of which you will transfer to another elevator that will take you to the skybridge.

    Speed of the levator is 120KPH.

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    historical DIRA
  • Tip Rating:
  • sjazeerah
  • By sjazeerah on January 24, 2006
  • Riyadh Page by sjazeerah
  • Fort Al Musmak incl. square and main entrance - Riyadh
    Fort Al Musmak incl. square
    and main entrance
    by sjazeerah, 2 more photos
    That's the place where the story of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia began in 1902.
    Until that time the area was governed by the Rashid Family.
    Then, a son of the rival-family Al Saud, his name was Abdulaziz stormed and conquered this Fort together with several supporters. This was the beginning of his famous rulership.

    Inside the Fort you can see a movie showing the battle.
    The Fort gives you an insight of how the govering people and their families lived at that time and you will also understand how they could cope without AC in summertime.
    Do not miss visiting this site.

    No entrance fee.
    You will be asked to sign in on a list at the entrance. Do not worry. At the exit there is a sign saying females not without legal male escort. But they always let me in on my own.

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  • Address: Dira - Swighah
  • Directions: Dira - Swighah - souq
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    More Riyadh Tips
    Overview
     
    Hotels and Accommodations
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    Things To Do
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    Nightlife
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    Transportation
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    Shopping
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    Off the Beaten Path
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    Tourist Traps
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    Warnings or Dangers
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    Local Customs
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    Packing Lists
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    Sports Travel
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    General Tips
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    Flights
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