Things to do in Riyadh
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National Museum
The state-of-the-art National Museum is without question one of the best museums in the Middle East. Its eight floors contain well-designed, engaging and informative displays on Arabia's history, culture and art, including beautiful, original rock carvings, models and even a full-scale reconstruction of a Nabataean tomb.
Films (in English via headphones) shown on 180° screens complement the exhibits, as do virtual visits to sites and other excellent interactive displays.
It's great for a sneak preview of the Kingdom's attractions, a sum-up, or a virtual visit if you don't have time to get to places. Don't miss it.
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Al-Faisaliah Tower
Designed by British architect Norman Foster and built in 2000 by the Bin Laden construction company, Al-Faisaliah Tower was the first of the startling new structures to rise above Riyadh's skyline. It's most famous for its enormous glass globe (24m in diameter and made of 655 glass panels) near the summit.
On its 34 floors can be found a five-star deluxe hotel and four exclusive restaurants, offices, apartments, the Sky shopping malland a fabulous viewing platform. The tower's needlepoint pinnacle (with a crescent on the tip) sits 267m above the ground.
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Kingdom Tower
Riyadh's newest landmark, the Kingdom Tower is another stunning piece of modern architecture. Known as the 'necklace' for its unusual apex, it's particularly conspicuous at night when the upper sweep is lit with constantly-changing coloured lights.
Rising 302m above the ground, its most distinctive feature is the steel-and-glass, 300-tonne bridge connecting the two towers. High-speed elevators fly you (at 180km/h) to the 99th floor Sky Bridge. If you're feeling peckish, the tower is also home to some reputable restaurants, including Spazio 77.
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Najd Village
Serving Saudi food in a Saudi setting (designed like a central-region village), this place is almost unique in the Kingdom. It's the perfect place to sample kasba (meat withrice), or the Najd region speciality, hashi (baby camel). The set menu includes 14 different mains, coffee, dates and even bachoor (incense). Prices are reasonable and it's much loved by locals.
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Mirage Restaurant
Boasting 'the best Chinese chef in the Peninsula', the Mirage certainly attracts a loyal - and royal - following (the King's grandchildren were there when the author visited). The décor - illuminated fish tanks and water channels running down the centre - is, like the food, full of fun and panache. Reservations are essential at the weekend.
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Cigar Lounge
A badly kept secret among well-heeled 20- to 30-something Saudis as the place to take a date, it's all low-light...and discretion here. Set in the highest point of the Al-Faisaliah Tower, the views by day and night are spectacular. Snacks range from Beluga caviar to hot mezze. Drinks include coffee and non-alcoholic cocktails.
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The Globe
Considered one of Riyadh's top-ranking restaurants, the Globe is also one of the most romantic. Cosy, dimly-lit and with spectacular views of town, it's the place to go to gaze over candlelight. The haute cuisine cooking of the Austrian chef includes dishes such as pan-roasted foie gras, and butter-roasted wagu beef.
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Ners
Located on the 2nd floor of the Manila Plaza, the Ners is an old fave among Riyadh's Asian community for its freshly-prepared Filipino and Thai food at fabulous prices. It's clean, waiter-served and very friendly. Dishes such as Tom Yum soup or chicken chilli with coconut milk are delicious.
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La Campagne
Though roomy and rambling, the place gets packed - it's rated by some as Riyadh's best Lebanese. The mezze are freshly made and the grills are something of a speciality. In warm weather, head for the lovely covered terrace at the back. Reserve 24 hours in advance; 48 hours at weekends.
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Mama Noura
Large, bright and clean, this Turkish place remains perennially popular among Riyadhis, who come for the succulent shwarma (available in a sandwich or on a plate) or famous felafel (deep-fried balls of chickpea paste with spices). There's no family section, but takeaway is possible.
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Al-Manahil School
The Al-Manahil School offers Arabic courses to non-Arabic speakers (men and women) at 10 levels (consisting of 24 hours spread over two weeks). Lying just west of the French and Italian embassies, it specialises in tuition to women (but can also accommodate men).
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Beit al-Hashi
Though located just over 10km north of the centre, this restaurant's worth the trek for its famous speciality, baby camel. The sign's in Arabic only (look for the appropriately camel-coloured sign). It's next to Mama Noura Juice Centre, just west of the Sheraton.
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Souq al-Thumairi
For the real McCoy, head to Souq al-Thumairi immediately south of the Masmak Fortress in the Al-Dira area. The shops in the small lanes offer everything from carpets to coffee pots and silver daggers to silver jewellery.
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Kingdom Tower Sky Bridge
High-speed elevators fly you (at 180km/h) to the 99th floor Kingdom Tower Sky Bridge, from where the views are breathtaking (photos are allowed). Avoid weekends and evenings after 18:00 when it can get very crowded.
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Murabba Palace
Built by King Abdul Aziz in 1946, Murabba Palace is most impressive for its formidable white-washed walls than for anything much within. Largely empty (albeit labelled) rooms surround a central courtyard.
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Masmak Fortress
Masmak Fortress is Riyadh's most significant historical monument. It was built around 1865 on the site of an earlier fortification and has been extensively restored to its pre-Saud days.
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Spazio 77
Located in the nook of the 'necklace' of the Kingdom Tower, Spazio 77 consists of a coffee shop, brasserieand sushi bar - all with gorgeous views thrown in for free.
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Restaurant Grand Lebanon
Spotless, salubrious and serving delicious Lebanese and Syrian dishes that change daily, this is much loved locally. The mixed grill is something of a speciality.
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Lamsa
For (mostly) Arabic handicrafts, Lamsa has a good though not inexpensive selection. Most handicrafts and 'antiques' are in fact manufactured by the Lamsa company.
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Al-Faisaliah Tower Viewing Platform
On the 34th floor of Al-Faisaliah Tower can be found a fabulous viewing platform. The tower's needlepoint pinnacle sits 267m above the ground.
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Sky Shopping Mall
On the 34 floors of Al-Faisaliah Tower can be found four exclusive restaurants, offices, apartments and the Sky Shopping Mall.
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Jarir Bookstore
The excellent Jarir Bookstore has extensive selections in Arabic and English. This branch is the most accessible.
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Kingdom Tower Mall
Among the most famous malls is Kingdom Tower Mall, which even has a floor for women only ('Ladies Kingdom').
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