Places to Visit in Riyadh’s Desert

You may want Riyadh, the capital of Arabia Saudi to choose as a tourist destination if you desire an engaging and impressive travel experience. Despite the fact that modern skyscrapers stand proudly near ancient fortresses, Riyadh still demonstrates wonderful harmony based on dualism.

However, the thing that makes Riyadh really interesting is not only its history but also as a border to desert which gives amazing nature and various mysteries waiting for discovery.

Today, we gonna acquaint you with ten lovely tourist sites in the Riyadh desert to explore, like Red Sand Dunes, where traditional Bedouins lived or Wadi Hanifah, really quiet streams caused by some waterfront cities. T is aimed at eith indoors crow or nature lovers, as well as a history buff. So, prepare yourself to an exciting journey which will make you visit some wonderful places around Riyadh.

Also Read: Beautiful Places in Saudi Arabia

10 Best Places to Visit in Riyadh’s Desert

In this list of places, we have mentioned 10 best places where you can visit in the desert of the Riyadh. Have a look:

Red Sand Dunes

The Red Sand Dunes located in the Riyadh desert is one of the most visited and easily accessible places off all. They are a range of sand dunes that cover this expanse, which itself consists entirely of mountains strewn with red-colored sands. You can go quad biking as a sport or hire one to move around at your own convenience, and also you can choose to compare the desert flora so that you climb up with an expert who will provide unforgettable information about their surrounding.

Red Sand Dunes

You may also tour the Reem Reserve, which is a protected habitat for a wide variety of animal species or Lake Khararah that is known to be saltwater desert lake where it forms as result of heavy rains.

Acacia Valley

The Acacia Valley may be a good place for nature lovers, staying outside in the desert to enjoy both peace and beautiful scenery. It leads you on your way from Abel Safari Headquarters Point of Hallucinogenic Herb towards Edge Of World Destination Checkpoint. Here and there are acacia trees accompanied by free-roaming camels stabbing above the ground to create a setting similar to that of Open Savannah.

Acacia Valley

First of all, if the night is clear and starry then you can set up your tent there because it will be a great opportunity to lay under parasol sky listening only for frogs croaks. While temperature in June, July and August is also supposed to be pleasant for campers’, the best time of going out into nature on a trip would be from October till March when it tends to get cooler without being so dusty as compared with warmer months.

Edge of the World

One of the Riyadh’s most beautiful and breathtaking places in its desert is Edge of World, an escarpment overlooking a lifeless plain that extends to horizons as sand covered with rocks. The vista from the rim is stunning, particularly at dawn or dusk when clouds shade respond as a mellowness of shades.

Read Also: More about Edge of the World

Edge of the World

You can walk along the cliff edge, enjoy different perspectives on the scenery or just sit watching, resting peacefully on one of rocks. The Edge of the World is approximately 186 kilometres as far from Riyadh, and you are going to require copious amounts of fuel and water.

Al Masmak Fort

If you are curious to know more about Saudi Arabia culture and history, Al Masmak Fort is a must-see place, which dates back to the 19 th century when it was built as a mud-brick fortress that had considerable impact for unifying this country. The fort was captured by Kil Abdulaziz ibn Saud in 1902 which means the beginning of his rule over Saudi Arabia.

Al Masmak Fort

As of now, there is a museum in the fort that represents different items and exposes to visitors some information about Riyadh’s history. The original spear, which King Abdulaziz used as an instrument to pierce the iron gate of that fortress, could also be found within this tower.

Read More

U Walk: Vibrant Plaza in Riyadh
The Ancient City Of Hegra
Wonder Garden In Riyadh: Tickets, Dates
Visit Riyadh Zoo: How to Book Tickets

To immerse in a more cultural and energetic Riyadh, you should proceed to al-Batha market that is one of the oldest as well as largest markets located within hasir city. The souk of Qatar is an intricate web of straight streets and booths that merchandise the aromas from spices and perfumes as well as carpets to jewelry.

Al-Batha Souk
Al-Batha Souk

You can haggle with a few vendors to get yourself some souvenirs for which the people back home are waiting or stroll and enjoy and feel the place. You can also taste a few local dishes, including dates, camel milk and mutabbaq, which are stuffed pancakes.

Kingdom Centre

In case, you want to view Riyadh from a different angle then visit Kingdom Centre which is one of the most prominent landmarks on top amongst squat buildings crowding Riyads skyline. Kingdom Centre contains a shopping mall, office space, and hotel, which also has a panorama coupled with an observation deck that stands at an elevation of three hundred and two meters.

Kingdom Centre
Kingdom Centre

The footage from the observation deck shows Riyadh in all its glory, presented as a landscape of human settlements set amidst sand and sky. Another option could be to put your one-legged forward on ‘Sky Bridge, ‘ a glass bridge connecting two towers at a height of 300 meters. It is something a true fan of architecture and stunning metropolis panorama should never miss out on.

Wadi Hanifah

A place for a nice refreshing escape from the daily busy life of Riyadh is Wadi Hanifah, The valley that spans along the western side of the city. Wadi Hanifah is one of the green oases formed with pools in a desert region due to environmental restoration, which converted it into an environmental park.

Wadi Hanifah
Wadi Hanifah

The trails cut the stream winding through, so you can take a walk or ride a bike and keep with them to enjoy both situated and satin parts by having a picnic in some of this shaded spot. Also, some historical structures could also be visited, for example, Diriyah, the first capital of Saudi Arabia.

World Sights Park

World Sights Park, constructed with various monuments and buildings replicas of the famous ones from around four of the world’s popular destinations, is a suitable park to visit if you would like some viewable sample imprints. You can easily spot the Taj Toewer garden destination in this one park. The Eiffel Tower, visible from among others across Paris, and even the pyramids by Giza were more pleasing year-round.

World Sights Park
World Sights Park

The park is indeed an interesting and insightful place for youngsters and adults alike, since irrespective of the origin, one can expand his or her knowledge on different cultures. Also, you might also take part in various recreational activities such as boating or bike riding to playing mini-golf.

Riyadh Zoo

If you are an animal lover, then Riyadh Zoo is one of the best options as it has been named the biggest zoological garden in Saudi depending on its huge area. A little more than 1,500 animals from many parts of the world and different habitats can be found in this zoo, namely lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, and pandas. You can also admire them closely to understand their type of activity and what you should do about it.

Read Also: More about Riyadh Zoo

Riyadh Zoo
Riyadh Zoo

Also, you may also like to enjoy some beats and programs such as feed the giraffes or watch sea lions’ performance. On day 9, today we are going to a zoo where people can enjoy themselves. This is also an attraction site for families; therefore I will most of the time be with my friends because two child forest will not properly carryer yourself. The likes include animal lovers, video gamers, and architecture in nature for travel.

Heet Cave

You will also want to visit Heet Cave, one of the most mysterious places in Riyadh and a popular off-road spot that hosts car competitions on several occasions. In the case of Heet Cave, this is a natural cave with an underground lake which has raw water. It is got into the cave, either by rappelling down a hole that goes 20 meters underground or through swimming one’s way underwater, chopping one’s own half in the narrow opening.

Heet Cave
Heet Cave

If you get in it, swimming or kayaking can be practised if the water looks crystal-clear enough and you want to admire some limestone formations alongside stalactites. Heet Cave is not for the uninitiated, but it is something special saved.

People May Ask

What are the best times to visit Riyadh’s desert?

Summer is the worst possible time to travel into Riyadh’s desert, especially during June and July months when temperatures rise way too high for any sane person. Better times are from October through March, when it is cooler and leafy vegetation starts to bloom again between rains that remove most sand dunes and make a layer of water ahead of ground flooring.

Sandstorm season is also the most suitable time to visit Spring because that’s when some of its features shine like butterfly lakes and flowers.

How can I get to the desert places from Riyadh?

Riyadh is accessible to reach these deserts from various routes and one can choose their own route. There are four options for getting around, which include hiring a taxi or participating in a group tour convoy with someone else driving.

Another option is renting a car to drive independently and, finally, taking the local transport like a bus or trolleybus. Some parts are more easily reachable, and in order to verify that it is heading you the right way, one should look at road conditions details before travelling.

What are some activities I can do in the desert?

You can enjoy many activities in a desert, like hiking. Chaco Canyon National Park Tour Guides New Mexico the desktop to day camp; valley walk quad bikes; camel we ride El Paso Date Book Sandboarding Stars Gazer all tell me such.

You can also visit heritage and culture sites like the Al Masmak Fort, Diriyah, or the ancient rock carvings in Jubbah at Shuwaymis Place. Alternatively, you can just marvel at the landscape and appreciate it.

What should I wear and bring to the desert?

Easy-to-move and comfortable clothes covering the arms and legs should have a hat; sunglasses on your eyes are going to block the rays of the sun so that you can easily walk in the snow because freedom is needed. In addition, you need to take with you a lot of water and some snacks in case it is dried food that will be prepared as well.

Also, bring an Extreme Tourist emergency first aid kit and several carry-along batteries for your handset besides, if you are willing to spend the night there with any of these outdoor equipment that a sleeping bag, tent and warm coat.

What are some safety tips for visiting the desert?

Safety when it comes to visiting the desert is as follows:

  • Walk alone, but always have a friend or companion walk with you.
  •  However, do not stray from the restricted trails or roads. The kind of advice you should stay close to your vehicle or camp.
  •  Do not touch or kill any wildlife, and do not interfere with plants. Some may be poisonous or harmful to the consumer.
  •  Do not litter nor do it any harm. Take the desert country, its rules and customs into deep respect.
  •  Never drink while in the desert, and do not smoke. It might kill you if it dries out on your skin and cause fires.