Riyadh

Airport transfer to Olaya district(40 minutes)

Use Uber or Careem for transparent pricing. 50-80 SAR ($13-21). Olaya is central and has the best hotel options

Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge(1 hour)

99th-floor observation deck at 302 meters with 360-degree views of Riyadh. Entry 69 SAR (~$18). Open daily 10 AM-11 PM. Best at sunset when the city glows amber

Dinner at Najd Village(1.5 hours)

Traditional Saudi restaurant in Olaya. Kabsa (spiced rice with chicken), jareesh (crushed wheat porridge), and Saudi coffee with dates. 60-100 SAR ($16-27) per person. Experience the Saudi coffee ceremony

Diriyah (At-Turaif District)(3 hours)

UNESCO-listed mud-brick palaces dating to the 15th century. The restored Najdi architecture is stunning — angular geometric patterns and thick adobe walls. Entry ~75 SAR ($20). Open Sun-Thu 9 AM-9 PM

Lunch at Al Bujairi Heritage Park(1.5 hours)

Adjacent to Diriyah. Traditional Najdi restaurants in landscaped gardens. Try Najd Village's second location here for kabsa and lamb mathbi. 60-80 SAR per person

Diriyah Art Futures gallery(1 hour)

Contemporary Saudi art in a restored heritage building. Free entry. Part of Diriyah's transformation into a cultural hub

Evening walk at Diriyah Boulevard(1.5 hours)

The new entertainment and dining promenade adjacent to the heritage site. Open-air restaurants, boutiques, and beautifully lit architecture. The evening atmosphere is electric

National Museum of Saudi Arabia(2.5 hours)

Eight halls spanning prehistoric fossils to Saudi unification. The Hajj and Two Holy Mosques hall is exceptional. Entry 10 SAR (~$3). Open Sat-Thu 8 AM-8 PM, Fri 4 PM-8 PM

Masmak Fortress(1 hour)

The historic clay fortress where Ibn Saud's 1902 conquest of Riyadh began — the founding moment of modern Saudi Arabia. Free entry. Open Sun-Thu 8 AM-9 PM. The dagger marks on the door are from the original raid

Lunch at Al Tazaj(45 minutes)

Popular Saudi chain for charcoal-grilled chicken with garlic sauce and hummus. A full meal for 30-40 SAR ($8-11). Every local loves this place

Souq Al Zal(2 hours)

Riyadh's oldest market (100+ years). Browse antiques, traditional jambiya daggers, oud perfume, and vintage Bedouin jewelry. Open mornings and evenings. Haggling expected — start at 40% of asking

Saudi coffee experience at a specialty café(1 hour)

Elixir Bunn or Brew92 for modern Saudi specialty coffee. Try both Saudi-style (cardamom, saffron) and specialty single-origin. 20-35 SAR per drink

4WD excursion to Edge of the World(5 hours)

90 km northwest of Riyadh. Book a guided 4WD tour ($100-150 per person) — do NOT attempt in a sedan. 1.5 hours on unpaved desert tracks. Bring 3+ liters of water, sunscreen, hat. No shade or facilities at the site

Picnic breakfast at the cliff edge(1 hour)

Most tours include breakfast overlooking the 300-meter cliff drop into a vast desert plain stretching to the horizon. The scale is breathtaking — photos don't do it justice

Walk along the escarpment(1.5 hours)

Follow the cliff edge (carefully) for different perspectives. Rock formations, fossil-embedded limestone, and absolute silence except wind. Best in morning light

Afternoon rest at hotel(2 hours)

The desert sun takes its toll. Rest and hydrate

Evening at Boulevard Riyadh City(3 hours)

Massive entertainment district (900,000 sqm). Restaurants, concert venues, immersive experiences, and themed zones. Entry ~30 SAR ($8). Open evenings until late. A showcase of Vision 2030 ambition

Late morning at a specialty coffee shop(1.5 hours)

Riyadh's coffee scene has exploded. Try Dose Café for aesthetic Instagram vibes, or Five Elephants for serious specialty coffee. Saudi Arabia's third-wave coffee culture is thriving

King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) walk(1 hour)

Futuristic architecture designed by Henning Larsen. The KAFD Grand Mosque is particularly stunning — a geometric white cube. Walk the public plaza and appreciate Vision 2030's architectural ambition

Lunch at LPM Restaurant(1.5 hours)

French-Mediterranean in KAFD. Excellent burrata and grilled sea bass. 150-250 SAR ($40-67) per person. The see-and-be-seen spot for Riyadh's modern set

Afternoon at a Riyadh mall(2 hours)

Kingdom Centre Mall or The View Mall for luxury shopping. Or Riyadh Park for mainstream brands. Malls are social hubs in Saudi culture — expect to see families, coffee meetings, and elaborate window displays

Dinner at Takya(1.5 hours)

Saudi-fusion restaurant with modern takes on traditional dishes. Their lamb shank kabsa and truffle jareesh are inventive. 80-120 SAR per person

Drive to Ushaiger Heritage Village(2 hours)

200 km northwest of Riyadh. Hire a driver with 4WD ($120-150 for the day). The drive through the Najd plateau gives you a sense of central Arabia's vastness

Explore Ushaiger(2 hours)

A remarkably preserved 1,500-year-old village with Najdi architecture — narrow alleys, mud-brick houses, date palm gardens, and a mosque. Free entry. Some houses are being restored by the local community. Very few tourists

Lunch in the village(1 hour)

A local family may offer you coffee and dates — accept graciously. Otherwise, bring a picnic from Riyadh

Desert sunset and sandboarding(2 hours)

On the return route, stop at the red sand dunes near Riyadh for sunset. Some tours include sandboarding ($20-30 for board rental). The light on red sand at sunset is extraordinary

Return to Riyadh for dinner(1 hour)

Late dinner at Mama Noura — Riyadh's beloved late-night spot for shawarma and falafel. A full meal for 25-35 SAR ($7-9). Open 24 hours

Saudi breakfast at a local café(1 hour)

Ful medames (fava beans), tamees bread, and Saudi coffee with dates at Al Baik — the beloved Saudi fast-food chain. Or try masabi (sizzling lamb liver) at a traditional spot. 15-25 SAR

Souvenir shopping(1.5 hours)

Oud perfume from a Souq Al Zal vendor ($10-50), Arabic coffee pot (dallah) as a decorative piece ($15-30), or dates from Bateel ($20-40 for a gift box). Saudi saffron is excellent value

Airport transfer and departure(45 minutes)

RUH is 35 km north. Uber/Careem 50-80 SAR. Allow 3 hours before international flights. The new terminal is modern and efficient

Airport transfer to Olaya(40 minutes)

Uber or Careem. 50-80 SAR ($13-21)

Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge(1 hour)

99th-floor observation deck. 69 SAR (~$18). Best at sunset

Dinner at Najd Village(1.5 hours)

Kabsa, jareesh, and Saudi coffee ceremony. 60-100 SAR per person

Diriyah At-Turaif District(3 hours)

UNESCO-listed mud-brick Najdi palaces. Entry ~75 SAR ($20). Open Sun-Thu 9 AM-9 PM

Lunch at Al Bujairi Heritage Park(1.5 hours)

Traditional restaurants in landscaped gardens. Kabsa and lamb mathbi. 60-80 SAR

Diriyah Art Futures(1 hour)

Contemporary Saudi art in restored heritage building. Free

Evening at Diriyah Boulevard(1.5 hours)

New dining promenade with lit architecture and boutiques

National Museum of Saudi Arabia(2.5 hours)

Eight halls from prehistory to unification. Entry 10 SAR (~$3). Open Sat-Thu 8 AM-8 PM

Masmak Fortress(1 hour)

The 1902 raid that founded modern Saudi Arabia. Free. Dagger marks on the original door

Lunch at Al Tazaj(45 minutes)

Charcoal chicken with garlic sauce. 30-40 SAR

Souq Al Zal(2 hours)

100-year-old market. Antiques, jambiya daggers, oud perfume, Bedouin jewelry. Haggle from 40%

4WD tour to Edge of the World(5 hours)

90 km northwest. Guided tour $100-150/person. Mandatory 4WD. Bring 3+ liters water, sunscreen, hat

Cliff-edge breakfast(1 hour)

Most tours include breakfast overlooking the 300-meter drop. Photos don't capture the scale

Walk the escarpment(1.5 hours)

Fossil-embedded limestone, rock formations, and absolute silence. Morning light is best

Boulevard Riyadh City(3 hours)

Massive entertainment district. Entry ~30 SAR ($8). Restaurants, concerts, immersive experiences. Vision 2030 showcase

Specialty coffee at Brew92 or Dose Café(1.5 hours)

Saudi Arabia's exploding third-wave coffee scene. 20-35 SAR per drink

KAFD architecture walk(1 hour)

Futuristic financial district designed by Henning Larsen. The geometric Grand Mosque is stunning

Lunch at LPM Restaurant(1.5 hours)

French-Mediterranean in KAFD. 150-250 SAR per person

Mall culture experience(2 hours)

Kingdom Centre or Riyadh Park. Malls are social hubs in Saudi culture

Dinner at Takya(1.5 hours)

Saudi-fusion. Truffle jareesh and modern kabsa. 80-120 SAR

Drive to Ushaiger(2 hours)

200 km northwest. Driver with 4WD $120-150 for the day

Explore Ushaiger(2 hours)

Preserved 1,500-year-old village. Mud-brick houses, narrow alleys, date palm gardens. Free. Few tourists

Desert sunset and sandboarding(2 hours)

Red sand dunes near Riyadh. Sandboard rental $20-30. Extraordinary light at sunset

Late dinner at Mama Noura(45 minutes)

Beloved 24-hour shawarma and falafel. 25-35 SAR

Morning flight Riyadh to AlUla(2 hours)

Saudia or flynas. Book in advance. 400-800 SAR ($107-213) one-way. AlUla airport is 35 km from the old town

Hegra (Madain Saleh) UNESCO site(3 hours)

111 monumental tombs carved into sandstone outcrops by the Nabataeans (same civilization as Petra). Entry included in AlUla visitor pass (~190 SAR/$51). The Qasr al-Farid (Lonely Castle) — a single tomb carved from an isolated rock — is the icon

Lunch at AlUla Old Town(1 hour)

The restored mud-brick old town has artisan cafes and restaurants. Try Saudi fusion at Harrat or traditional at one of the heritage restaurants. 50-80 SAR

Elephant Rock at sunset(1.5 hours)

A natural sandstone formation resembling an elephant, best photographed at golden hour. Free. 10 minutes from old town. Bring a blanket and watch the colors change

Evening flight back to Riyadh(2 hours)

Or stay overnight in AlUla for a deeper experience (see day 8)

Dadan archaeological site(1.5 hours)

Capital of the ancient Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms (7th century BCE). Carved lion tombs high on the cliff face. Included in AlUla visitor pass

Jabal Ikmah (Open Library)(1.5 hours)

A canyon with thousands of inscriptions in Dadanitic, Minaic, Thamudic, and Nabataean scripts — the world's oldest open-air library. Guided tours only. Included in visitor pass

Lunch at a farm-to-table AlUla restaurant(1.5 hours)

AlUla grows dates, citrus, and herbs in its ancient oasis. Restaurants serve produce grown meters away. 60-100 SAR

Maraya Concert Hall (exterior)(30 minutes)

The world's largest mirrored building — 9,740 sqm of mirrors reflecting the desert landscape. Free to view from outside. Check if any events are scheduled during your visit

JAX District art walk(2 hours)

Riyadh's creative hub in converted warehouses. Galleries, design studios, and cafés. The Saudi contemporary art scene is exploding. Free to wander

King Abdulaziz Historical Center(1.5 hours)

Gardens, fountains, and historic buildings surrounding the National Museum. The Murabba Palace was King Abdulaziz's home

Lunch at The Globe(1.5 hours)

Al Faisaliah Tower's globe-shaped restaurant at 240 meters. The views rival Kingdom Centre. 150-300 SAR per person for a memorable lunch

Athr Gallery(1 hour)

One of Saudi Arabia's premier contemporary art galleries in Olaya. Free. Rotating exhibitions of Saudi and regional artists

Dinner at Mamo Michelangelo(1.5 hours)

Italian in Diriyah Season. Riyadh's dining scene has been transformed by international imports. 120-200 SAR per person

Morning flight to Hail(1.5 hours)

Saudia or flynas. 300-600 SAR one-way

Jubbah Rock Art(2.5 hours)

UNESCO World Heritage petroglyphs dating back 10,000 years — human figures, animals, hunting scenes carved into sandstone cliffs. Entry free with guide. A stunning open-air gallery of ancient life

Lunch in Hail(1 hour)

Hail is famous for its hospitality. Try qursan (thin bread with meat sauce) at a local restaurant. 30-50 SAR

A'arif Fort(1 hour)

Ottoman-era hilltop fortress overlooking Hail. Good views of the city and surrounding mountains. Free entry

Sleep in and late breakfast(2 hours)

Hotel breakfast or Al Baik — Saudi Arabia's beloved fried chicken chain. A cultural institution. Meal for 20-30 SAR

Spa at a luxury hotel(3 hours)

The Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons spa. Full-body massage and hammam from 400-600 SAR ($107-160). The perfect recovery after days of desert exploration

Lunch at Lusin(1.5 hours)

Armenian restaurant popular with Riyadh's food scene. Hummus, lamb kofta, and their famous manti. 80-120 SAR per person

Dinner at Myazu(2 hours)

Japanese-Peruvian fusion in a stunning Diriyah setting. Nikkei cuisine with sake pairings. 200-350 SAR per person. Book ahead

Afternoon drive to desert camp(1.5 hours)

Various operators run glamping and traditional camping experiences 60-100 km from Riyadh. Book through your hotel or Desert Camps Arabia. From 300-800 SAR per person all-inclusive

Camel ride at sunset(1 hour)

Ride through red sand dunes as the sun sets. Most camps include this in the package. The light on Arabian desert sand is unforgettable

Traditional Arabian dinner(2 hours)

Seated on carpets around a fire. Whole roasted lamb (kharouf mashwi), rice, flatbreads, and Saudi coffee. The communal dining experience is deeply cultural

Stargazing(1.5 hours)

No light pollution in the desert. The Milky Way is visible, constellations pop. Some camps provide telescopes. Winter nights are cold (bring layers) but crystal clear

Desert sunrise(45 minutes)

Wake early to watch the sun rise over the dunes. Morning light turns the sand golden-red. One of those moments you remember forever

Camp breakfast and return to Riyadh(2 hours)

Traditional breakfast of ful, tamees bread, and tea. Return to the city by late morning

Final souvenir shopping(2 hours)

Oud perfume from Souq Al Zal ($10-50), Bateel dates ($20-40 gift box), Arabic coffee pot (dallah), or a traditional Saudi bisht (cloak)

Farewell dinner at Villa Mamas(2 hours)

Bahraini-Saudi cuisine in an upscale setting. Their machboos (spiced rice with meat) and seafood are excellent. 100-180 SAR per person

Final Saudi breakfast(1 hour)

Masabi (sizzling lamb liver) or ful with tamees at a neighborhood spot. 15-25 SAR

Pick up remaining souvenirs(1 hour)

Last-minute dates, saffron, or oud from airport shops if you missed anything

Airport transfer and departure(45 minutes)

RUH is 35 km north. Uber 50-80 SAR. Allow 3 hours before international flights

Airport transfer to Olaya(40 minutes)

Uber or Careem. 50-80 SAR ($13-21)

Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge(1 hour)

99th-floor observation. 69 SAR. 360-degree views at sunset

Dinner at Najd Village(1.5 hours)

Kabsa, jareesh, Saudi coffee ceremony. 60-100 SAR

Diriyah At-Turaif District(3 hours)

UNESCO mud-brick Najdi palaces. 75 SAR ($20). Open Sun-Thu 9 AM-9 PM

Lunch at Al Bujairi Heritage Park(1.5 hours)

Najdi restaurants in gardens. Kabsa and lamb mathbi. 60-80 SAR

Diriyah Art Futures(1 hour)

Contemporary Saudi art. Free

Diriyah Boulevard evening(1.5 hours)

Dining promenade and boutiques

National Museum of Saudi Arabia(2.5 hours)

Eight halls from prehistory to unification. 10 SAR (~$3)

Masmak Fortress(1 hour)

The 1902 founding raid. Free. Dagger marks on original door

Lunch at Al Tazaj(45 minutes)

Charcoal chicken with garlic sauce. 30-40 SAR

Souq Al Zal(2 hours)

100-year-old market. Daggers, oud, Bedouin jewelry. Haggle from 40%

Saudi coffee at Elixir Bunn(1 hour)

Cardamom-saffron Saudi style and specialty single-origin. 20-35 SAR

4WD tour to Edge of the World(5 hours)

90 km northwest. Guided tour $100-150/person. 4WD mandatory. Bring 3+ liters water

Cliff-edge breakfast(1 hour)

Breakfast overlooking the 300-meter drop into vast desert plain

Escarpment walk(1.5 hours)

Fossil-embedded limestone and absolute silence

Boulevard Riyadh City(3 hours)

Entertainment district. Entry ~30 SAR ($8). Vision 2030 showcase

Coffee at Brew92 or Dose Café(1.5 hours)

Third-wave coffee scene. 20-35 SAR

KAFD architecture walk(1 hour)

Henning Larsen's futuristic district. Geometric Grand Mosque

Lunch at LPM Restaurant(1.5 hours)

French-Mediterranean in KAFD. 150-250 SAR

Mall culture(2 hours)

Kingdom Centre Mall. Social hub of Saudi life

Dinner at Takya(1.5 hours)

Saudi-fusion. Truffle jareesh. 80-120 SAR

Drive to Ushaiger(2 hours)

200 km northwest. 4WD driver $120-150/day

Explore Ushaiger(2 hours)

Preserved village. Mud-brick, narrow alleys, date palms. Free. Few tourists

Red sand dune sunset(2 hours)

Sandboarding $20-30. Extraordinary sunset light on red sand

Late dinner at Mama Noura(45 minutes)

Beloved 24-hour shawarma. 25-35 SAR

Flight Riyadh to AlUla(2 hours)

Saudia or flynas. 400-800 SAR one-way

Hegra (Madain Saleh)(3 hours)

111 monumental Nabataean tombs. AlUla visitor pass ~190 SAR ($51). Qasr al-Farid is the icon

Lunch at AlUla Old Town(1 hour)

Restored mud-brick town. Artisan cafes. 50-80 SAR

Elephant Rock sunset(1.5 hours)

Natural sandstone elephant formation in golden hour. Free. 10 min from town

Check-in to AlUla hotel(30 minutes)

Stay overnight to explore more of AlUla tomorrow

Dadan archaeological site(1.5 hours)

7th-century BCE capital. Lion tombs carved high on cliffs. Included in visitor pass

Jabal Ikmah (Open Library)(1.5 hours)

Thousands of inscriptions in four ancient scripts. Guided tours only. World's oldest open-air library

Lunch at AlUla farm-to-table(1.5 hours)

Oasis-grown dates, citrus, and herbs served meters from where they grow. 60-100 SAR

Maraya Concert Hall(30 minutes)

World's largest mirrored building — 9,740 sqm reflecting the desert. Free to view from outside

AlUla Stargazing Experience(2 hours)

The desert sky above AlUla is exceptionally dark. Guided astronomy sessions available through Experience AlUla. 100-200 SAR

AlUla oasis walk(2 hours)

Walk through the 2-million-year-old oasis with date palms, citrus groves, and ancient irrigation channels. Guided heritage walks available. The green of the oasis against red sandstone is extraordinary

AlUla Old Town exploration(1.5 hours)

900+ buildings of mud-brick and stone, some dating to the 12th century. Narrow alleys, mosque, and community spaces being carefully restored

Light dinner in Riyadh(1 hour)

Shawarma at Shawarmer or a quiet meal at Piatto in Olaya

JAX District art walk(2 hours)

Creative hub in converted warehouses. Galleries, design studios, cafés. Free to wander

King Abdulaziz Historical Center(1.5 hours)

Gardens and historic buildings around the National Museum. Murabba Palace

Lunch at The Globe(1.5 hours)

Al Faisaliah Tower's globe restaurant at 240 meters. 150-300 SAR

Athr Gallery(1 hour)

Premier contemporary art gallery. Free. Rotating Saudi and regional artists

Dinner at Mamo Michelangelo(1.5 hours)

Italian in Diriyah Season. 120-200 SAR

Flight Riyadh to Jeddah(1.5 hours)

Multiple daily flights. 200-500 SAR one-way. Jeddah is dramatically different from Riyadh — coastal, relaxed, diverse

Check-in to Jeddah hotel(30 minutes)

Stay near Al-Balad or the Corniche for walkability

Al-Balad historic district(3 hours)

UNESCO World Heritage old town with 500+ heritage buildings featuring traditional Hejazi architecture — coral stone walls, ornate wooden balconies (rawasheen), and merchant houses. Free to wander. A guided walking tour is highly recommended ($30-50)

Lunch at Bait Makkah(1 hour)

Traditional Hejazi cuisine in a restored Al-Balad house. Mutabbaq (stuffed pastry), saleeg (creamy rice with chicken), and Hejazi samboosa. 50-80 SAR

Jeddah Corniche sunset walk(1.5 hours)

Walk the renovated 110 km waterfront promenade. The King Fahd Fountain (tallest in the world at 312 meters) shoots water visible from across the city. Free

Jeddah open-air sculpture museum(1.5 hours)

Over 500 sculptures along roundabouts and streets by artists including Henry Moore, Jean Arp, and Alexander Calder. A car-based tour is best. Free

Red Sea diving or snorkeling(4 hours)

Jeddah has world-class reefs 30 minutes from shore. Book through Dream Divers or Aldiyafah Diving. Intro dive: 300-500 SAR. Snorkeling trips from 200 SAR. Healthy coral and abundant fish

Lunch at Abu Zaid(1 hour)

Legendary fish market restaurant near the old port. Choose your fish from the display and they grill it. 40-70 SAR per person

Dinner at The Butcher Shop and Grill(1.5 hours)

Steakhouse popular with Jeddah's social scene. Dry-aged beef and seafood. 150-250 SAR

Souq Al Alawi morning visit(2 hours)

Jeddah's oldest market in Al-Balad. Spices, incense, perfumes, textiles, and gold. The oud and bukhoor (incense) section is overwhelming in the best way. Haggling expected

Saudi breakfast at a local café(1 hour)

Ful medames, tamees bread, and masabi at a neighborhood spot. 20-30 SAR

Last walk through Al-Balad(1 hour)

Morning light on the coral-stone buildings and wooden rawasheen balconies is beautiful for photography

Quiet dinner in Riyadh(1 hour)

Light meal at Nozomi or Sumosan for Japanese. 100-180 SAR

Sleep in and late brunch(2 hours)

Hotel brunch or try Eggs & Bread in Olaya for Western-style brunch. 50-80 SAR

Spa at luxury hotel(3 hours)

Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons spa. Full treatment from 400-600 SAR ($107-160)

Late afternoon desert drive(2 hours)

Quick sunset drive to the red sand dunes south of Riyadh. Bring tea in a thermos and sit on the dune ridge watching the sky turn colors

Dinner at Al Orjouan(1.5 hours)

Ritz-Carlton's buffet restaurant. International and Arabic cuisine. 200-300 SAR. A lavish spread

Afternoon departure to desert camp(1.5 hours)

Various operators 60-100 km from Riyadh. 300-800 SAR per person all-inclusive

Sunset camel ride(1 hour)

Through red sand dunes. Usually included in package

Traditional Arabian dinner by firelight(2 hours)

Whole roasted lamb, rice, flatbreads, Saudi coffee on carpets around a fire. Communal dining

Stargazing(1.5 hours)

No light pollution. Milky Way visible. Some camps provide telescopes

Desert sunrise(45 minutes)

Golden-red sand in morning light. A moment to remember

Camp breakfast and return(2 hours)

Ful, tamees, tea. Back in Riyadh by late morning

Al Baik for lunch(45 minutes)

Saudi Arabia's most beloved fast food — fried chicken with garlic sauce that borders on religious devotion. 20-30 SAR. You haven't done Saudi until you've had Al Baik

Saudi coffee ceremony workshop(2 hours)

Learn to prepare traditional Saudi coffee with cardamom, saffron, and cloves. Some specialty cafés offer classes. 100-150 SAR including equipment

Dinner at Azzurro(1.5 hours)

Italian fine dining in Olaya. Handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza. 120-200 SAR

Morning flight to Hail(1.5 hours)

300-600 SAR one-way

Jubbah Rock Art(2.5 hours)

UNESCO petroglyphs dating back 10,000 years. Human figures, animals, hunting scenes. Free with guide

Lunch in Hail(1 hour)

Qursan (thin bread with meat sauce). 30-50 SAR

A'arif Fort(1 hour)

Ottoman hilltop fortress. City and mountain views. Free

Shuwaymis rock art (if time allows)(2 hours)

Second UNESCO rock art site near Hail with life-sized human and animal figures. Less visited than Jubbah

Late morning start(2 hours)

Sleep in and have breakfast at your own pace

Explore Diplomatic Quarter (DQ)(2 hours)

Riyadh's greenest neighborhood. Walk through Wadi Hanifa park, visit the Tuwaiq Palace (geometric architectural landmark), and browse the embassies' architectural variety

Lunch at a neighborhood spot(1 hour)

Try a Yemeni restaurant for mandi (underground-cooked lamb and rice) or an Indian restaurant — Riyadh has excellent subcontinental food due to its large expat community. 30-60 SAR

Morning walk in Wadi Hanifa(2.5 hours)

An 80 km valley rehabilitated from a sewage channel into a green park. Walk sections with lakes, waterfalls, and native vegetation. The bioremediation lake section is most scenic. Free

Brunch at a wadi-side café(1.5 hours)

Several cafes along the wadi path. Eggs, pastries, and Saudi coffee overlooking the green valley. 40-60 SAR

King Salman Park visit(2 hours)

One of the world's largest urban parks being developed. Open sections have gardens, art installations, and play areas. Free

Afternoon shopping at Nakheel Mall(1.5 hours)

Diriyah's luxury mall with Saudi and international brands. The architecture blends modern and heritage design

Dinner at Giardino(1.5 hours)

Italian in a garden setting in Diplomatic Quarter. 100-180 SAR

Morning at Souq Al Zal(2 hours)

Final run through the old souq. Oud perfume, dates, Arabic coffee pots, and traditional textiles. Prices are negotiable

Visit Bateel date boutique(45 minutes)

Premium Saudi dates in beautiful packaging. Gift boxes from 100-200 SAR. The gold-wrapped Medjool dates are extraordinary

Lunch at Burro(1.5 hours)

Mexican in Olaya. Riyadh's restaurant scene spans every cuisine. A fun counterpoint to weeks of Arabic food. 80-120 SAR

Farewell dinner at Villa Mamas(2 hours)

Grand finale. Machboos, seafood, and Saudi hospitality. 100-180 SAR per person

Final Saudi breakfast(1 hour)

Masabi or ful with tamees. 15-25 SAR. Savor the Saudi coffee with dates one last time

Last-minute airport shopping(45 minutes)

RUH duty-free has dates, oud, and Saudi souvenirs

Airport transfer and departure(45 minutes)

RUH is 35 km north. Uber 50-80 SAR. Allow 3 hours for international flights