Simple Places to Visit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

As a long-time resident of Riyadh since birth, I am quite familiar with the surroundings. Usually, when one mentions Riyadh, people would most of the time associate it as a desert. I’ll negate them because it is really a city with high technology though I still love Philippines when it comes to beauty. Riyadh is really a wonderful place, despite its being stricter than any cities in Saudi Arabia. There are some of the beautiful places that I would mention. There are places for bachelors or family. Here are my Top 10 places to visit starting from the least suggested.

·         National Museum

Someone sure loves history. Why not try this place? Here you see Saudi Arabia’s past. You’ll see artifacts from the past. There are also places there created that resembles places before. That’s pretty much it, just things that will remind the history of Riyadh.

View Inside Sphere

 

Triangular in Shape

·         Faisaliah

There are two skyscrapers in Riyadh and one of them is the Faisaliah if I remembered it right. This skyscraper has a unique structure and it is noticeable. It resembles a pyramid but really tall which has more than 100 floors and at the top there is a sphere which has restaurants that serve expensive food. There is also a place there where you can see the top view of Riyadh. The top part of this skyscraper is usually used for business purposes so it is not really recommended to go here just for fun.

·         Old Hospital

Looking for place that gives goose bumps? Not in White House nor in Teacher’s Camp but in a burnt hospital in Riyadh. Looking at it would give the creepy feeling already, what more entering it. My friends have entered it twice. The first entrance gave them the chill. They described the place inside as being very dark, with the beds scattered disorderly. There were writings in the wall similar to the lines like in jails. The next time became scarier as they noticed that one door that they entered the last time was locked the second time of going there. Accidentally locked itself? I don’t think so. Someone locked it? Maybe yes but who did it? It’s not scary as other places but try it for yourself.

Rock Formation

·       Hidden Valley

Do you know that there was once a belief and even I believed it at times that Riyadh was submerged underwater. How would i believe it? It is because of this place. This is a place very far from the city and here you’ll see stone formations really high as a 5 to 8 storey building. In some high rocks you will see lines resembling water has passed through it or shorelines. You would probably say the same if you see it. There are also things in the ground that seemed to be shells. It is really weird to say that a dry city today was underwater before.

 

·         Fantasy Land 

                   A place where family can bond and enjoy. This is a relaxing place and an affordable one. Inside the park is a small lake where the family can boat ride. There are a lot of cottages that can be paid for a small amount of price and you can already live in a comfortable zone. There are also rides similar to Enchanted Kingdom’s Anchors Away and Flying Fiesta. You can rent dune buggies, bicycles, a unique looking ride that has two bicycles connected to each other, and a camel or horse ride. There is also a show that presents two dolphins and a seal. It is really an enjoyable moment here especially with your friends and family

·         Localizer

Localizer is a mall known by most men. Men’s clothes are very rare to find in Riyadh but in Localizer, numerous stores offer clothes from casual to corporate attires. Here you will find not only clothes but also other usual destinations of bachelors go like gym, cafe or a place to play billiards. There’s not much to enjoy in that place besides that.

Behind Red Sand is the Hidden Valley

·         Red Sand

                  This is a different place though it is near Hidden Valley. In here, you don’t see shells or shorelines but as what you call the place, Red Sand. The sand here seems to have a red shade maybe because of the reflection from the sunlight. It is fun in this place though it is bare. You can rent a dune buggy worth 70 riyals or about 700 pesos per hour then drive it along the desert. Picture taking with the family while sojourning here is a worthwhile activity.

·         Cave Park

Don’t be deceived by the name. It is not in a cave. The hospital King Faisal has a park inside named Cave Park for a reason that i do not know. This is another place for family bonding. A skate bowl, playgrounds and a fastfood is in here. A place that I ranked 3^rd not because there are lots of activities here and actually there are none, is because I really miss the bonding in this place with my family which makes me sad everytime I think of it.

·         Tahaliyah

Now this place! I don’t know the right spelling but since it is an English spelling of an Arabic word there are exceptions. Do you wanna see a Ferrari, Audi R8, Lamborghini Murcielago, Porsche, Ducati, Harley Davidson or a limousine roaming around? This is a long road full of princes or royal blood teenagers driving in luxury cars or in motorcycles. This is where Localizer is located. You can find here a gasoline station where the cars are RV’s or limos. There are a lot of showrooms and I even saw a giant pick-up truck modified. Here are restaurants like TGIF (Thanks God It’s Friday), AppleBees, Chilli’s and many more. So better take care of your wallet if you don’t want to be very extravagant. Though it is only during night where you experience this.

Mamlakah

View Inside Skybridge

·         Sky Bridge

If you could only try this 25 riyal or about 250 peso experience without limit in Mamlakah. It would be very memorable. It is like the top view in Faisaliyah but the view here is better. The place is higher and clearer. Bring your family and friends here and enjoy the scenic night view. You just can’t resist seeing the city lights that is somehow relaxing to the feeling. I just wish I could be in that place again. It is not the day-to-day experience. You do not have anything to do here besides looking below but what’s not to love?

These are some of the things I missed in Riyadh and I hope I could return to every place again. If in case you happen to have a vacation in Riyadh, go to the places I suggested and when you have returned, tell them that Riyadh is not just a desert.