Riyadh, the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, is located on a vast limestone plateau in the center of the Arabian Peninsula. The city has a population of approximately 4.8 million inhabitants. Founded during the Pre-Islamic period by the Banu Hanifa tribe, Riyadh served as a pilgrimage center for centuries. After Abdulaziz took control of the city in 1902, he gradually unified the area between the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea, which became the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932.
Today, Riyadh is a thriving metropolis with cutting-edge architecture and advanced infrastructure. It serves as a significant political, commercial, cultural, and touristic hub, hosting numerous financial, cultural, technical, and social organizations.
The name "Riyadh" means "place of gardens and trees," reflecting the region's historical fertility, once supported by now-dried watercourses.
Key tourist attractions in Riyadh:
City Center, reconstructed in a traditional style reminiscent of Nejd architecture before the 20th century.
Al-Bathaa and Al-Dirah, the city's oldest districts, featuring:
Al Masmak Fort, a 19th-century landmark.
Museum of History and Archaeology.
Murabba Palace, the former residence of the first Saudi king, Ibn Saud, now a museum.
Justice Palace, along with traditional buildings in Al-Dira, such as Al-Mu'eiqilia Market and the Grand Mosque.
Al Faisaliyah Center, the first skyscraper in Saudi Arabia.
Television Tower, standing at 170 meters.
King Abdullah International Gardens.
Annual festivals and events:
Janadriyah Festival, one of the most prominent cultural festivals, held in February.
Saudi National Day, celebrated on September 23.
Religious holidays such as Eid-ul Fitr (October) and Eid-ul Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice (December).
The city is served by King Khalid International Airport. You can visit Riyadh via airlines such as Air France, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Wizz air and British Airways.