Welcome to the Riyadh Region—where ancient caravan routes meet glass-and-steel ambition. In a single week you’ll wander clay-brick alleys at UNESCO-listed At-Turaif in Diriyah, browse scent-laden souqs, and gaze from the Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge across a city in full stride.

History here is close enough to touch. At Masmak Fortress, the 1902 recapture by King Abdulaziz ignited a unification that birthed modern Saudi Arabia. Just beyond the city, the Tuwaiq Escarpment—the famed “Edge of the World”—drops to a fossil-filled plain that once lay beneath an ancient sea.

Practical notes: alcohol is prohibited, but café culture is vibrant and late-night. Dress modestly; women are not required to wear an abaya, though many choose to. Rideshares are ubiquitous, English is widely understood in hospitality, and the best months for outdoor activities are November–March.

Riyadh

Capital of Saudi Arabia and the beating heart of Vision 2030, Riyadh surprises with world-class museums, vast parks, and a dining scene that runs from beloved shawarma joints to glittering culinary imports. By day, explore cultural anchors; by night, stroll neon-lit boulevards and café-hop.

• Top sights: National Museum of Saudi Arabia, Masmak Fortress, Souq Al Zal, Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge, Wadi Namar and Salam Park, KAFD’s contemporary skyline.
• Why go: See the country’s story unfold—from tribal roots to high-speed present—then taste it in fragrant kabsa, jareesh, and date-studded desserts.
• Eat & drink: Mama Noura (classic shawarma and fresh juices), Najd Village (heritage Saudi meals in majlis rooms), Myazu (modern Japanese), LPM Riyadh (Mediterranean), Leven (sourdough bakery and great coffee).

Stay in Riyadh: Browse stays in Olaya, Diplomatic Quarter (DQ), or KAFD for easy access to museums and malls. Search Riyadh on VRBO | Search Riyadh on Hotels.com

How to get here: Fly into King Khalid International Airport (RUH). Compare routes and fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Airport to Olaya/DQ by taxi or rideshare: 30–45 minutes, ~80–120 SAR ($21–32).

Day 1: Arrival, Sky Bridge Views, and Saudi Flavors

Afternoon: Land in Riyadh and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle walk at Salam Park—palms, lake, and city views. Coffee at Camel Step (Olaya) for single-origin brews and a cardamom-scented date bite.

Evening: Head to the Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge for sunset—panoramas from 300 meters up. Dinner at Najd Village (Takhassusi branch): share kabsa, jareesh, and lamb qursan in traditional majlis seating; finish with gahwa (Arabic coffee) and dates.

Late: Dessert and people-watching at Leven Bakery (DQ)—try the pistachio croissant or warm chocolate chip cookie with soft-serve.

Day 2: Riyadh City Highlights (Guided)

Morning: Join a comprehensive city tour to cover the essentials efficiently.

Riyadh Full City Tour typically covers Masmak Fortress, National Museum, and key districts—ideal for first-timers. Expect 6–8 hours with hotel pickup.

Afternoon: Lunch at Mama Noura (Tahliya/Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz St). Order chicken shawarma, garlic toum, and a fresh pomegranate juice. If time allows, stroll Souq Al Zal for oud, rugs, and dallah coffee pots.

Evening: Dinner at Myazu (U Walk): refined Japanese with standout wagyu gyoza and black cod. Nightcap sans alcohol at Brew92 (Riffa) for V60s and pastries.

Day 3: Museums, Old Riyadh, and Souqs

Morning: Return to the National Museum of Saudi Arabia for deeper exploration—prehistoric Arabia to unification, with interactive galleries. Coffee at Elixir Bunn (An Nakheel) for signature cold brew.

Afternoon: Dive into Riyadh’s origin story at Masmak Fortress and the adjacent Deera Square. Then join a focused heritage walk:

Al Masmak Fortress, Murabba Palace, and Souq Al Zal Tour brings context to artifacts and architecture and helps with bargaining tips.

Evening: Dinner at LPM Riyadh (Al Olaya) for lemony roast chicken, burrata with tomatoes, and the famed vanilla crème brûlée. Post-dinner stroll along Tahlia Street’s lively café-lined sidewalks.

Day 4: Red Sand Dunes Adventure

Morning: Fuel up at Overdose (various branches) or local roaster Camel Step. Depart mid-morning for the Red Sand Dunes southwest of the city for adrenaline and desert vistas.

Riyadh Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, ATV, Camel Ride & Sandboard adds quad biking to classic dune bashing—expect 5–6 hours with pickup.

Afternoon: Return to town and lunch at Assaraya (Takhasussi) for reliable Turkish grills, lentil soup, and hot bread. Rest during the warmest hours.

Evening: Explore KAFD’s futuristic architecture at golden hour. Dinner at ROKA Riyadh (Midtown) for coal-grilled sea bream and spicy beef fillet; book ahead.

Diriyah

Set on the palm-fringed banks of Wadi Hanifah, Diriyah is the cradle of the Saudi state. The mud-brick citadel of At-Turaif—now a beautifully conserved open-air museum—complements a polished dining promenade at Bujairi Terrace just across the valley.

• Top sights: At-Turaif (UNESCO), Bujairi Terrace, JAX District contemporary art warehouses, Wadi Hanifah trails.
• Eat & drink: Takya (modern Saudi), Suhail (elegant Najdi cuisine), Somewhere (Levantine), Brunch & Cake (indulgent café plates), Maiz (regional Saudi classics).
• Fun fact: Diriyah was the first capital of the Saudi dynasty in the 18th century; the palm groves still cool evening breezes along the wadi.

Stay in Diriyah: Choose a stay near Bujairi Terrace or along Wadi Hanifah for atmospheric evenings. Search Diriyah on VRBO | Search Diriyah on Hotels.com

Getting from Riyadh to Diriyah: Depart in the morning; rideshare/taxi takes 25–35 minutes (25–60 SAR / $7–16) depending on traffic. No train is needed for this short hop.

Day 5: Transfer to Diriyah, At‑Turaif, and Bujairi Terrace Nights

Morning: Check out in Riyadh and drive to Diriyah. Coffee at Brunch & Cake (Bujairi Terrace) for a leisurely breakfast—think pistachio French toast or shakshuka with warm bread.

Afternoon: Explore At‑Turaif with timed entry. Wander restored palaces, defensive walls, and palm-shaded lanes; the interpretive center animates Najdi architecture and the rise of the first Saudi state.

Evening: Dinner progressive-style along Bujairi Terrace: start with Saudi appetizers at Takya (mutabbaq and jareesh), then mains at Suhail (lamb kabsa or jareesh with ghee), and kunafa for dessert. Stroll Wadi Hanifah’s lit pathways afterwards.

Day 6: Edge of the World Sunset and Stargazing

Morning: Easy start. Breakfast at Camel Step’s Diriyah-area branch (if nearby) or grab manakeesh at Somewhere (Bujairi). Pack hat, sunscreen, closed shoes for the escarpment.

Afternoon & Evening: Join the Edge of the World with 4x4 vehicles, sunset dinner and stargazing. Ride across fossil-studded desert to the Tuwaiq cliffs, hike to lookouts, watch a fiery sunset, then share a camp-style dinner under constellations. Expect 6–7 hours door-to-door.

Day 7: Wadi Hanifah Ride or Art Morning, Then Departure

Morning: Choose between a gentle art wander or a saddle-up experience:

• JAX District galleries and Misk Art Institute pop-ups if open, with coffee at a nearby roastery.

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  Horse Riding Experience (Riyadh option) along desert trails—ideal cool-season activity (allow ~2–3 hours including transfers).

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to RUH for your flight. Search departures on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Grab a final date pastry at the airport before heading home.

Optional Add‑Ons and Local Gems

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  Red Sand Adventure 4x4: combines heritage stopovers with desert action.

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  Half Day: Riyadh From Past to Present: perfect if you want a shorter, focused history primer.

Daily Eating & Coffee Cheatsheet

• Breakfasts: Leven (sourdough toasts, eggs), Brunch & Cake (creative plates), Urth Caffé (American-Med staples), Camel Step (excellent espresso).
• Lunches: Mama Noura (shawarma), Assaraya (Turkish grills), Somewhere (Levantine), Maiz (regional Saudi).
• Dinners: Najd Village (heritage), Suhail (elegant Saudi), Myazu/ROKA (Japanese), LPM (French-Med). Reserve prime spots, especially Thu–Sat.

In seven days, you’ll trace Saudi Arabia’s arc from mud-brick strongholds to a skyline of ambition, taste the comfort of Najdi cuisine, and watch stars sharpen over the Tuwaiq cliffs. The Riyadh Region rewards curiosity—arrive hungry for history and leave with desert on your boots.