Tourism in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh
| Riyadh is now a high-tech oasis of glass, steel and concrete, home to huge hotels, even larger hospitals and one of the biggest airports in the world. The centre of Riyadh is called Al-Bathaa and is the oldest part of the city. |
 Ministry of Interior |
The Riyadh Museum, to the west of Al-Bathaa, has all the usual exhibits covering the history and archaeology of the Kingdom from the Stone Age to early Islam. There's an interesting display on Islamic architecture and a separate Ethnographic Hall, with clothes, musical instruments, weapons and jewellry. Signs are in English and Arabic.
| Once the citadel in the heart of Old Riyadh, the Masmak Fortress was built around 1865 and extensively renovated in the 1980s. |
 Masmak Fortress |
 Al-Thumairi Gate |
The Al-Thumairi Gate, in the centre of town, is an impressive restoration of one of the 9 gates which used to lead into the city before the wall was torn down in 1950. |
Riyadh's most interesting attraction, the ruins of Dir'aiyah, lie 30km (20mi) north of the city centre. This was the kingdom's first capital and is now the country's most popular archaeological site.
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 Dir'aiyah water well |
