5 of the best · Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Parks, Wadis and the Desert around Riyadh
Wadi Hanifah restored as a green corridor, the gardens and trails of the Diplomatic Quarter, Salam Park, the red dunes beyond the city and King Salman Park, opening in phases.
Our 5 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in Riyadh
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Insiders' picks
Three places we would send a friend to first in Riyadh: At-Turaif at dusk, a Saudi table and the view from the top of the Kingdom Centre.
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Aga Khan Award 2010
Wadi Hanifah
The great valley west of the city, restored as a green corridor of water, palms and paths.
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Aga Khan Award
The Diplomatic Quarter gardens
The planted quarter of embassies on the city’s western edge, with paths along the escarpment.
The full list: Outdoors, A–Z
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Parks & wadis 4
Green space in a desert city.
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Opening in phases
King Salman Park
A very large new park on the site of the old airport, preparing to open in phases.
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Aga Khan Award
The Diplomatic Quarter gardens
The planted quarter of embassies on the city’s western edge, with paths along the escarpment.
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Aga Khan Award 2010
Wadi Hanifah
The great valley west of the city, restored as a green corridor of water, palms and paths.
The desert 1
Dunes and sunsets.
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With a licensed operator
The Red Sand dunes
The red dunes beyond the city, for dune drives, sand-boarding and sunsets.
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