Welcome to the Riyadh Region, where gleaming towers meet an ancient heart. For centuries this was crossroads country, where Najdi merchants and poets thrived. Today, Riyadh is one of the Arab world’s great capitals, and just upriver in Diriyah, the mud-brick palaces of the first Saudi state whisper stories from the 1700s.

Over 7 days, you’ll wander the National Museum and Masmak Fortress, climb to glassy sky bridges, and savor slow-cooked kabsa and fragrant gahwa. You’ll stand on the Tuwaiq Escarpment—“Edge of the World”—as the sun melts into fossil-laced cliffs, then stroll among palm groves in Wadi Hanifah before feasting in Bujairi Terrace with At‑Turaif’s ochre walls aglow.

Practical notes: The best weather runs October–March; summers are very hot. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered), and note Friday prayer hours. Ride-hailing is ubiquitous, cards are widely accepted, and families will find parks and malls extremely welcoming.

Riyadh

Why go: A capital of contrasts: cutting-edge architecture, concentrated heritage, and a food scene that ranges from grand hotel buffets to shawarma legends. Riyadh’s museums are excellent and compact, making cultural days easy to plan.

• Top sights: National Museum of Saudi Arabia; Masmak Fortress and Qasr Al Hokm; Souq Al Zal; Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge; Wadi Namar and Salam Park; creative hubs like the JAX arts district.
• Eat & drink: Try saleeg, jareesh, and lamb kabsa at heritage restaurants; seek kunafa and date desserts; chase specialty coffee at Saudi roasters.
• Fun fact: Look closely at the Tuwaiq cliffs outside Riyadh—you can spot marine fossils, evidence of an ancient sea.

Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO Riyadh and hotels on Hotels.com Riyadh. Aim for Olaya, Diplomatic Quarter, or near King Abdullah Financial District for easy dining and transport.

How to get there: Fly into RUH (King Khalid International). Search fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. RUH to central Riyadh is ~30–45 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing (roughly 60–120 SAR).

Diriyah

Why go: The ancestral home of the Saudi state and a meticulously revived heritage oasis. The UNESCO-listed At‑Turaif district sits above the palm-lined Wadi Hanifah; below, Bujairi Terrace serves some of the region’s best Saudi cuisine with sunset views.

• Top sights: At‑Turaif (UNESCO); Wadi Hanifah promenades; Bujairi Terrace restaurants; nearby JAX District galleries and studios.
• Tastes to try: Saudi classics at Maiz or contemporary plates overlooking the wadi; date-based sweets and Arabic coffee.
• Good to know: Many sites are pedestrian-friendly; evenings are most atmospheric, especially at golden hour.

Where to stay: Check options close to Diriyah and Diplomatic Quarter on VRBO Diriyah or Hotels.com Diriyah.

Getting there from Riyadh: Ride-hailing (Uber/Careem) takes ~25–35 minutes depending on traffic, usually 25–60 SAR each way.

Day 1 – Arrival, National Heritage Walk, and Saudi Feast

Afternoon: Arrive at RUH and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle loop through the King Abdulaziz Historical Center: stroll the palm gardens and, if time allows, browse a couple of halls at the National Museum (plan 60–90 minutes).

Evening: Welcome dinner at Najd Village (traditional floor seating, copper platters, and recipes from central Saudi). Order lamb kabsa, saleeg (creamy rice with broth), and a pot of Saudi coffee with dates. If you’ve got energy, end with a calm walk around Salam Park’s lake.

Day 2 – Riyadh Essentials with a Local Guide (Full-Day Tour)

Spend your first full day getting oriented and maximizing time with a guided city tour that covers the classics—ideal if you’re new to Riyadh.

Featured experience: Riyadh Full City Tour

Typical stops include Masmak Fortress and Souq Al Zal (hunt for bisht cloaks, oud, and antique coffee pots), Qasr Al Hokm square, and photogenic viewpoints. Ask your guide for a quick stop at a classic shawarma joint (Mama Noura’s chicken shawarma with garlic sauce is a local habit) and a specialty coffee roaster like Camel Step or Elixir Bunn. In the late afternoon, ride up to the Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge for sunset if the tour timing allows, or save it for tomorrow.

Day 3 – Museums, Old Riyadh, and Sky-High Views

Morning: Breakfast at Bateel Café (date-laced pastries, shakshuka, standout espresso). Then give the National Museum the time it deserves—start with prehistoric Arabia, then the unification galleries. Pop next door to the Murabba Palace courtyards for photos.

Afternoon: Taxi to Deira to bargain in Souq Al Zal for rugs and incense burners; duck into Masmak to see the thick mudbrick walls up close. For a quick, satisfying lunch, grab mandi or mathbi at Al Romansiah.

Evening: Head to Kingdom Centre. Time the Sky Bridge just before sunset for a honeyed view over Olaya’s skyline (expect tickets around the price of a movie). Dinner nearby at Lusin (elegant Armenian—order cherry kebab, manti, and tabbouleh). Finish with warm kunafa from Saadeddin Pastry.

Day 4 – Edge of the World: Escarpment Cliffs, Caverns, and Desert Dinner

Today is your big desert day—dusty, cinematic, and unforgettable. Most tours include 4x4 transport, safety gear, and a hearty meal.

Featured experience: Edge of the World Riyadh Tour with Camel Ride, Bat Cave & Dinner

Expect a 1.5–2-hour drive to the Tuwaiq escarpment, light hiking along cliff edges, a peek into a bat cave (bring a headlamp), and a sunset picnic or camp-style dinner. Wear sturdy shoes, a hat, and bring a layer—the plateau can get breezy after dark.

Day 5 – Transfer to Diriyah, At‑Turaif UNESCO, and Bujairi Terrace

Morning: Check out and ride-hail to Diriyah (~25–35 minutes, 25–60 SAR). Drop bags at your Diriyah/Diplomatic Quarter stay (VRBO Diriyah or Hotels.com Diriyah). Grab coffee at Overdose or Camel Step to start.

Afternoon: Explore the mud-brick lanes and palaces of At‑Turaif with a guide for context on the first Saudi state and Najdi architecture.

Featured experience: Diriyah Discovery – Half-Day UNESCO Heritage Tour

Evening: Dine at Bujairi Terrace with wadi views. Book Maiz for elevated Saudi classics (try jereesh and lamb shoulder) or Flamingo Room by tashas for chic seafood and African-inspired plates. Post-dinner stroll along Wadi Hanifah’s palm-lined promenade.

Day 6 – Return to Riyadh, Desert Dunes Adventure, and Late-Night Eats

Morning: Ride back to central Riyadh (~30 minutes). Breakfast at Elixir Bunn (signature blue latte, but go for a flat white and a cardamom bun). Relax at Wadi Namar’s lakeside path or browse boutiques in The Zone before the afternoon pickup.

Afternoon & Evening: Head to the Red Sand Dunes for adrenaline: dune bashing, ATV riding, camel photo-ops, and sandboarding. Many tours include a sunset camp with tea and a barbecue dinner under the stars.

Featured experience: Riyadh Desert Safari Dune Bashing, ATV, camel ride, and Sandboard

Late night: If you’re peckish back in town, cruise Tahlia Street. For a casual bite, Urth Caffé does reliable salads and flatbreads; for sushi or grills, Nozomi is a local favorite for celebrations.

Day 7 – Coffee, Last-Minute Shopping, and Departure

Morning: Brunch at Knead Bakery & Patisserie (eggs with labneh, excellent sourdough). Pick up edible souvenirs—assorted premium dates and date chocolates—from Bateel.

Afternoon: Final wander through a mall for gifts (perfume oils, oud, and handicrafts), then transfer to RUH for your flight. For flight options, check Kiwi.com or Trip.com and allow extra airport time at peak hours.

Extra Ideas (if you have a free half-day)

• Ushayger Heritage Village: A day trip of winding alleys, traditional mud houses, and shaded courtyards. Consider a guided option like the Ushayger Heritage Trail Full Day Cultural Journey if you want deeper context.

  

• Arts & design: Explore JAX District galleries and pop-up exhibitions; check what’s on when you’re in town.

Accommodation & Transport Quick Links

• Riyadh stays: VRBO | Hotels.com
• Diriyah stays: VRBO | Hotels.com
• Flights to/from Riyadh: Kiwi.com | Trip.com Flights

Safety & Etiquette

• Modest attire is appreciated in public; women are not required to cover hair but commonly do. Bring a light scarf for comfort in religious areas.
• Avoid photographing government buildings and ask before photographing people.
• Friday midday sees closures around prayer; plan museums and shopping accordingly.

In one week you’ll have traced Saudi history from mud-brick palaces to skyscrapers, tasted the Najd on a plate, and looked out over a fossil sea from the Edge of the World. Riyadh and Diriyah reward curiosity—expect to leave with new flavors, new friends, and a camera roll full of burnt-orange sunsets.