Riyadh is both the capital and largest city in Saudi Arabia. Both the political and administrative center of the country, Riyadh draws millions of tourists each year thanks to its UNESCO-designated Diriyah, many dining and shopping options, upscale hotels, and engaging museums and archaeological sites.

GETTING THERE & AROUND
Visit the city via King Khalid International Airport, located about 22 miles from the city center. U.S. travelers must make a connecting flight to reach the city, with major airlines such as Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic offering links to global destinations. The airport seamlessly connects to the city center via Line 4 of the Riyadh Metro, which opened December 2024. Looking ahead, the airport is set to expand to six parallel runways. In the city center, Riyadh Bus, Riyadh Metro and Saudi Arabia Railways provide transportation to major attractions and sites.

LODGING
Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah
Go back in time to the height of old Diriyah at Bab Samhan, which embraces Diriyah’s historic past by reviving ancient relics and celebrating Najdi design. A restaurant, spa, indoor pool and more await.
7628 King Faisal Ibn Abd Al Aziz Road, Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia, tel 966 11 429 0300

Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh
Located within a high-rise, this hotel includes sophisticated accommodations, some with terraces. Highlights include a fine-dining restaurant in a rooftop glass dome and separate spas for men and women.
King Fahd Branch Road, Al Olaya, Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia, tel 966 11 273 2000

Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel
This 5-star hotel boasts polished guestrooms, suites and villas. An all-day dining lounge, spa and meeting rooms, as well as proximity to the mall and Diriyah region, further elevate the hotel.
4248 Prince Mohammed Ibn Salman Ibn
Abdulaziz Road, Ar Rabi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
tel 966 11 829 0900 radissonhotels.com

DINING
MYAZU Riyadh
In addition to carefully crafted sushi dishes, this fine-dining establishment also features fresh seafood plates including king crab, seared salmon and marinated red sea bream, all with a Japanese twist.
Musad Bin Jalawi, As Silumaniyah, Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia, tel 966 9200 09686

Roma Restaurant, Ceiricon Buildings Branch
Riyadh is home to some top-notch Italian restaurants, and this one tops the list with polished pasta, antipasto, meat and seafood, and decadent dessert dishes.
Shubah Ibn Al Hajjaj, Al Olaya, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
tel 966 11 464 1133

Sultan’s Steakhouse
Choose from a vast menu of Turkish-inspired prime steak cuts in an airy atmosphere with floor-to-ceiling windows.

QJ27+69, 5186 Prince Turki Ibn Abdulaziz Al
Awwal Road, Hittin 7584, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
tel 966 55 563 3706

ATTRACTIONS
Diriyah

Situated on the outskirts of Riyadh, this UNESCO-designated historic town was the original home of the 18th-century House of Saud. The town features different palaces and mosques constructed across many centuries.

Kingdom Centre
One of Riyadh’s most iconic landmarks, this 990-foot-tall building spans 99 floors and features a skybridge at the top, as well as a shopping mall and Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh.
King Fahd Road, Al Olaya, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
tel 966 11 211 2222

National Museum of Saudi Arabia
Across eight halls you can explore exhibits depicting the very early days of human life and pre-Islamic Arabia as well as the first and second states of Saudi Arabia. There’s also a hall covering the life and mission of the Islamic prophet Mohammad.
8745 King Saud Road, 2722 King Faisal Road,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia