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location.beaches.districts
location.beaches.districts_subtitle
Diriyah
hotelsUNESCO World Heritage - birthplace of Saudi state. At-Turaif district with mud-brick palaces. Major restoration project. Historical heart of kingdom. New luxury hotels and restaurants opening.
Kingdom Centre Area
hotelsModern business district around iconic Kingdom Tower. Sky Bridge observation deck. Luxury malls, hotels, offices. Most recognizable Riyadh skyline. Where business Riyadh operates.
Al-Masmak Area
hotelsHistoric fortress where Ibn Saud recaptured Riyadh in 1902. Old town feel, traditional souks nearby. National Museum. Where modern Saudi Arabia began. Cultural heart of city.
faq.title
faq.subtitle Riyadh
Tourist e-visa now available for 49+ countries! $160, valid 1 year, multiple entry, 90 days stay. Apply online. Revolution since 2019 - previously almost impossible to visit. US, EU, UK eligible. Game-changer for tourism.
NO. Completely prohibited. Don't bring any. No exceptions. Severe penalties. This is non-negotiable. Coffee culture strong instead. Fresh juices everywhere. You'll survive - many do!
Abaya no longer required for foreigners! But dress modestly - cover shoulders, knees. Loose fitting clothes. Headscarf not required but respectful at mosques. Much more relaxed than before but still conservative country.
Moderate to expensive. Hotels $80-300+. Meals $10-50. Transport needs taxis (expensive in sprawling city). Not budget destination but not Dubai expensive. Food can be cheap. Overall similar to Gulf standards.
Travel Tips
Useful tips for visiting Riyadh
Visit Diriyah - UNESCO birthplace of Saudi state. At-Turaif mud-brick district being restored beautifully. New hotels, restaurants opening. Most important historical site. Night lighting spectacular.
Go up Kingdom Tower Sky Bridge - iconic Riyadh view. Book sunset timing. Women-only times available. ~75 SAR. Most photographed spot in city. Clear days see vast desert beyond city.
Respect prayer times - 5 times daily, shops close 20-30 min. Plan around it. Friday is holy day (many things closed morning). Don't eat/drink publicly during Ramadan daylight hours.
Try kabsa (national dish - spiced rice with meat), shawarma, falafel, Arabic coffee with dates. Food excellent and varied. Indian, Filipino, Lebanese influences. No pork anywhere.
Weather
Average temperature by month
Now
14°
14°38%5 м/с
Today23°13°
23°13°Tomorrow20°14°
20°14°Thu16°11°
16°11°Fri
13°8°
13°8°Sat15°5°
15°5°Sun19°8°
19°8°Mon21°10°
21°10°21°
7°Jan
24°
10°Feb
28°
14°Mar
34°
19°Apr
40°
24°May
43°
26°Jun
44°
27°Jul
44°
27°Aug
41°
24°Sep
36°
19°Oct
27°
13°Nov
22°
9°Dec
location.transport.title
location.transport.subtitle
location.transport.metro
—location.transport.bus
—location.transport.taxi
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Prices
Cost of food, accommodation and services
Cafes & Restaurants
Budget meal
20 - 40 ﷼
~30.0 $
Mid-range
80 - 180 ﷼
~130 $
Fine dining
250 - 600 ﷼
~425 $
Street Food
Local dish
10 - 25 ﷼
~17.5 $
Drinks
Coffee
15 - 35 ﷼
~25.0 $
Local beer
0 ﷼
Groceries
Water 1.5L
1 - 3 ﷼
~2.0 $
Prices are approximate and may vary by season and area.
Accommodation
Hotels and rental prices
Hostel dorm
80 - 150 ﷼ / night
~115 $
Guesthouse
200 - 400 ﷼ / night
~300 $
Hotel 3★
500 - 1,000 ﷼ / night
~750 $
Hotel 5★
1,200 - 3,500 ﷼ / night
~2,350 $
Prices are approximate. Book in advance during high season.
location.payment.title
location.payment.subtitle
location.payment.accepted_cards
VisaMastercardMada
location.payment.contactless_available
location.payment.atms
widespread
location.payment.mobile_payments
Apple PaySamsung PaySTC PayMada Pay
location.payment.cash
Cards widely accepted! Very modern payment infrastructure. Apple Pay, Samsung Pay common. Cash for small shops, street vendors. Mada domestic card system dominant locally. Contactless everywhere.
location.payment.currency_exchange
Al Rajhi Bank, SNB, Riyad Bank ATMs everywhere. Mada domestic card system widely used. International Visa/Mastercard accepted at most places. AVOID: Airport exchange - use ATMs. Diriyah Gate, Kingdom Centre very card-friendly. Modern Gulf capital.
location.payment.tipping
10%
Tipping not expected traditionally but appreciated 10-15% in restaurants. Service charge usually included. Round up for helpful service.
Safety
High safety level
Tourist area with low crime rate
Riyadh is very safe - low crime. Strict Islamic laws apply. No alcohol. Dress modestly. Women can now drive and travel freely. Respect prayer times (shops close). Conservative but opening rapidly with Vision 2030.