At-Turaif District, Diriyah
حي الطريف
The ruins of the capital of the First Saudi State, a complex of Najdi-style mud-brick palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After restoration, it has a wonderful atmosphere at night.
Diriyah lies in the Wadi Hanifa valley, about 20 km northwest of central Riyadh. It is the birthplace of the Saudi royal family. From 1744 it served as the capital of the First Saudi State, and in 1818 it was captured by Ottoman-Egyptian forces. At-Turaif was the palace district where the royal family and nobles lived. It preserves many Najdi-style mud-brick buildings, with triangular ventilation openings in the walls, and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. The main building is the Salwa Palace, now a museum that tells the story of the founding of Saudi Arabia. The site also has a mosque, baths, stables and a cavalry museum.
In recent years, the large Diriyah Gate development has restored the ruins. Across the valley, Bujairi Terrace is home to many upscale restaurants. At night, you can see the mud-brick palaces lit up across the valley, and traditional Ardah sword dances are often performed.
Admission is about 100 riyals, including a guided tour and museum access (check the official website for current prices). Time slots must be booked on the official website.
Getting there: A taxi from central Riyadh takes about 25 minutes.
Opening hours
About 4:00 pm–midnight (check official website)
Nearby sights
- Bujairi Terrace
- Boulevard City
- Boulevard World
- King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD)
- Kingdom Centre
- Al Faisaliah Tower
- King Fahad National Library
- Murabba Palace