Free things to do · Riyadh · Saudi Arabia
5 free things to do in Riyadh
Riyadh without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Riyadh without paying an entry fee: Wadi Hanifa, Souq Al Zal, King Abdullah Financial District and JAX District are all free. Visit between May and September, if you can cope with the heat, for the lowest hotel rates.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 5
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- July–August
Free sights and experiences
Park · Ad Diriyah
1.Wadi Hanifa
Walk the stretch near Diriyah in the early evening from October to March, when temperatures are comfortable.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
Market · Deira and Al Batha
2.Souq Al Zal
Come in the late afternoon or evening, when traders are most active and the heat has eased.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- History
- Photo spot
Architecture · King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD)
3.King Abdullah Financial District
Arrive by metro to see the station interior, then walk the elevated pathways between the towers.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Free
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · Ad Diriyah
4.JAX District
Check the Diriyah or gallery programmes before visiting, as exhibitions change regularly.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
- Free
Market · Eastern outskirts
5.Riyadh Camel Market
Go in the late afternoon, wear closed shoes and ask before photographing traders.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
- Kids
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Ad Diriyah | Wadi Hanifa and JAX District | 1–2 hours + 1–2 hours |
| Deira and Al Batha | Souq Al Zal | 1 hour |
| King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) | King Abdullah Financial District | 1–2 hours |
| Eastern outskirts | Riyadh Camel Market | 1–2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
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Castle · Deira and Al Batha
Masmak Fortress
Combine it with Souq Al Zal and the old souqs around Al Adl Square on the same morning.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Kids
Museum · Al Murabba
National Museum of Saudi Arabia
Allow at least two hours and start at the top of the chronology; the gardens of the historical centre are pleasant in the evening.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Art
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Palace · Al Murabba
Murabba Palace
It shares the King Abdulaziz Historical Center grounds with the National Museum, so visit both together.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Street · Al Sulimaniyah
Tahlia Street
Come after 9pm for the full evening atmosphere, and try a Saudi coffee or a specialty pour-over.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- Shopping
More ways to save
- Visit between May and September, if you can cope with the heat, for the lowest hotel rates.
- Use the metro for long north–south journeys instead of ride-hailing at rush hour.
- Mandi and Al Batha's South Asian restaurants offer filling meals at low prices.
- Cards and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere, so you need little cash.
- Riyadh Season venues charge entry and premium prices inside; free events also run in public spaces during the season.
- Hotel prices spike during major conferences, concerts and Riyadh Season weekends; book early for those dates.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Riyadh expensive to visit?
Riyadh is moderately priced for most visitors, but 5 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Riyadh?
Wadi Hanifa: Walk the stretch near Diriyah in the early evening from October to March, when temperatures are comfortable.