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Outdoor activities in Riyadh

Quad in Riyadh
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Published on 21 May 2019
Updated byVincent Dall Aglioon 08 October 2024

A city of opportunities of all kinds, Riyadh is a fantastic place to live in. Whether you're moving there alone or with your family, discover the various outdoor activities that are awaiting you in your free time.

Amusement parks in Riyadh

Boulevard City is located in the northwest of Riyadh. The entrance is free, and it is open all year round. It has a lot of arenas for entertainment, arcades, fountains and games. There are also a lot of shops. It has a food court offering a very large selection of fast food branches, while dining restaurants are located by the (artificial) lake. It is a very popular area to go and simply have a tour. It welcomes all ages. It opens every day from 4 pm, and you can also go there to have a walk in the evening. The area has a lot of venues and hosts events for sports, e-sports and concerts.

Just a block away from Boulevard City is Boulevard World. Renewed every winter, this destination offers a glimpse of various cultures from around the world. Each area will have a theme (Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, Spanish, Italian, French, Greek, Egyptian, Levant, Thai, and more) and will offer cultural events such as concerts but also shops and, of course, food. Boulevard World has an entrance fee. The entrance fee is more expensive on weekends. There are also paid attractions such as escape games, cinemas, and more.

From the incredible wall of China to the inclining tower of Pisa and the Sydney Opera, you can get the chance to see miniature versions of them at the World Sights Park, which is found smack in the core of the city. Note that entrance is free of charge for children.

Qiddiyah, a megaproject part of Vision 2030, is currently under construction just 45 minutes outside of Riyadh. It is meant to be a whole city devoted to playing. It has already been announced that Six Flags will open an amusement park there.

Feel the cold for a day in Riyadh in hot summer

At Snow City, not a single individual or family can leave without experiencing the cold Alpine temperatures. From skiing to sledging, there are numerous snow-related activities there to suit your preferences. It's also an excellent choice if you're looking to escape the mid-year heat.

Experience nature At Wadi Hanifa

From inundated fields to running streams, this is as close as one can get to nature in Riyadh. Wadi Hanifa offers an incredible sight when the dam is open. It's worth noting that it is the longest and most important valley in the country, stretching over 120 km from the northwest to the southeast of the capital city.

Watch the Dancing Fountain of the King Abdullah Park

Head to the King Abdullah Park in the evening to watch the amazing fountain dance to the beat of the music in an incredible presentation of shades. When the show is over, kids can enjoy the play areas while their parents take a stroll on the beautiful tracks.

Tour the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh

Whether you're a climbing amateur or professional, taking the trail through the Diplomatic Quarter will take you through an assortment of fauna, rocks and stones, not to mention the Tuwaiq Palace.

Ancient ruins in Riyadh

Located on the northwestern edges of Riyadh, Diriyah used to be the home of the Saudi Royal family. Scene of a year-long attack in the nineteenth-century conflict between the Ottoman and Saudi armed forces, today the city has been renovated and invites you to "visit the birthplace of Saudi Arabia and walk in the footsteps of visionaries and kings." The old mud architecture, reminiscent of a Gaudí structure, incorporates an overhauled bathhouse and various parks. Try not to miss the Saud Palace, which is renowned for its yard.

Hiking in Riyadh

You'll locate Riyadh's most dazzling scenes in the Wadi Hanifa Valley, which goes through the city. The riddle piece amalgams of Mesozoic-time sedimentary shake give a glorious scenery to a climb or bicycle ride.

The watercourse is very much kept up, and the incredibly available gratitude to a multimillion-dollar facelift went for keeping up and protecting this critical biological element. Families usually spend the late evening under the shade of plentiful date palms while their children play football. There are offices and restaurants along the channel, but you can also bring your picnic bag.

You should also visit the watercourse that runs nearby the Diplomatic Quarter and end your night watching the sun set over the layers of red shake. If you're visiting during the stormy season in October, check the weather reports before planning your trip.

Useful links:

Two Monkeys Travel Group

Visit Saudi

We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.

About

Vincent studied linguistics and foreign language acquisition at the University of Geneva. He first travelled to Vietnam and Cambodia to teach French and English. In 2023, he moved to Saudi Arabia. He enjoys movies, books, baking, and chess.

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