Sights · Our pick in Riyadh
At-Turaif, Diriyah
The mud-brick capital
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Radosław Botev · CC BY 3.0 pl via Wikimedia Commons
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Radosław Botev · CC BY 3.0 pl via Wikimedia Commons1 / 2
About At-Turaif, Diriyah
At-Turaif, on the edge of Wadi Hanifah in Diriyah, was the first capital of the Saudi state in the 18th century and is an outstanding example of the Najdi mud-brick style, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010. Its palaces, mosques and lanes have been restored, with museums and galleries inside. diriyah.sa listed evening opening (5pm to midnight, last entry 11pm) in 2026; passes are sold only on diriyah.sa, which also posts road closures on the way in.
Why it's on our list
- UNESCO World Heritage
- Evening opening
- Passes on diriyah.sa
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with At-Turaif, Diriyah before you go.
Hotels nearby
The closest hotels in our guide to At-Turaif, Diriyah, as the crow flies.
- Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah750 m9 min walk
What’s nearby
Distances from At-Turaif, Diriyah are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 12 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Key sights
- KAFD7.7 kmCycle 39 minCar or taxi 25 min
- Kingdom Centre10 kmCar or taxi 31 min
- The National Museum17 kmCar or taxi 44 min
- The Masmak18 kmCar or taxi 46 min
- King Khalid International Airport29 kmCar or taxi 67 min
Main railway stations
- Riyadh railway station (SAR)19 kmCar or taxi 48 min