Discover Modern Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Progressive Capital

Photo credit: The King Abdullah Financial District towers, central Riyadh

Riyadh is the political, financial, and increasingly cultural capital of the world’s largest Arab country — a city of more than 7 million in the geographic heart of the Arabian Peninsula, undergoing one of the most ambitious deliberate transformations of any major modern city under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman‘s Vision 2030 reform program. Where the city was largely closed to non-business tourism a decade ago, today Riyadh hosts F1 races, FIFA Club World Cups, the LIV Golf Invitational, the AFC Asian Cup, world-class concerts, and the world’s largest entertainment season at Riyadh Season — over 23 million visitors in 2024. Al Ad’Diriyah, the original Saudi capital just west of modern Riyadh, has been redeveloped into a UNESCO-listed (2010) restoration of mud-brick historic architecture; the National Museum of Saudi Arabia traces the kingdom’s history from prehistory through the founding of the modern state in 1932; the Kingdom Centre Tower Skybridge offers the city’s most-photographed view. Visit with respect for the country’s ongoing reform process — and Riyadh rewards as one of the most-changing major cities anywhere on the planet.

Riyadh by District: The 14 البلديات

Riyadh is divided into 14 sub-municipalities. The map below shows their official OSM boundaries, colour-coded to match the table — a quick way to orient yourself before zooming in on individual sights.

#	البلديات
1	بلدية المعذر · Al Maathar Municipality
2	بلدية العليا · Municipality of Olaya
3	بلدية الروضة · Al Rawda Muncipality
4	بلدية النسيم · Al Naseem Municipality
5	بلدية السلي · As Sali Municipality
6	Al Batha Muncipality
7	بلدية الملز · Al Malaz Municipality
8	Al Aziziyah Municipality
9	بلدية الشفا · Municipality of Shifa
10	بلدية الشميسي · Shmeisi Municipality
11	بلدية العريجاء · Al-Urayja Municipality
12	بلدية نمار · Namar Municipality
13	بلدية الشمال · Municipality of Al Shamal
14	بلدية عرقة · Municipalty of Irqah

Riyadh at a Glance: Essential Facts for Travelers

Location	Riyadh Province, central Saudi Arabia (Najd region of the Arabian Peninsula)
Coordinates	24.7136°N, 46.6753°E
Population	~7.5 million (city, 2024); metro area ~8.4 million
Area	1,973 km² (city)
Elevation	~612 m above sea level (on the Najd Plateau)
Time Zone	Arabia Standard Time (AST, UTC+3 — no daylight saving)
Calling Code	+966 (city code 11)
Currency	Saudi Riyal (SAR ﷼)
Languages	Arabic (official); English widely spoken in business, tourism, and international hotels
Religion	Predominantly Sunni Muslim; non-Muslim public worship not permitted; non-Muslim communities operate privately
Climate	Hot desert — extremely hot dry summers (often 45 °C+), mild winters with occasional rain
Founded	1737 (Al Saud establishment); Saudi capital since 1932
Famous For	Kingdom Centre Tower, Al Faisaliah Tower, Diriyah UNESCO heritage site, National Museum, Vision 2030 transformation, Riyadh Season, gateway to Edge of the World, AlUla

Riyadh’s History

Riyadh’s modern history begins in 1737, when Muhammad ibn Saud, ruler of the small Najdi settlement of Diriyah just west of present-day Riyadh, formed an alliance with the Islamic reformer Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. Their alliance — joining political authority and religious revival — became the founding pact of the First Saudi State (1744–1818). Diriyah grew into a regional power; its forces expanded across central and eastern Arabia, briefly capturing Mecca and Medina. The First Saudi State collapsed in 1818 when Ottoman-Egyptian forces under Ibrahim Pasha destroyed Diriyah and razed its mud-brick fortifications. The site remained largely abandoned for nearly two centuries until its UNESCO restoration in the 2010s.

The Second Saudi State (1824–1891) was based at the nearby settlement of Riyadh (Arabic for “gardens” — referring to the oasis date palms that gave the area its name). It was the Second Saudi State that established Riyadh as the family’s traditional power center. The Second Saudi State collapsed to the rival Al-Rashid family of Ha’il in 1891.

The decisive recovery came on the night of January 13, 1902, when 21-year-old Abdulaziz ibn Saud — the future founder of modern Saudi Arabia — led 40 men to scale the walls of the Masmak Fort in Riyadh and kill the Rashidi governor in a celebrated dawn raid. (The dagger embedded in the door is still visible at the Masmak museum.) Abdulaziz spent the next three decades consolidating his control over the Arabian Peninsula. On September 23, 1932, he proclaimed the unified Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with Riyadh as the capital — the date still observed as Saudi National Day.

The 1938 discovery of oil at Dammam (eastern Saudi Arabia) transformed the kingdom’s economy and Riyadh’s destiny. King Faisal (r. 1964–1975) modernized education, abolished slavery (1962), and led the 1973 oil embargo against Western support for Israel. King Abdullah (r. 2005–2015) founded the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh. King Salman (since 2015) and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) launched the Vision 2030 economic-diversification program in April 2016 — the most ambitious deliberate transformation of any major economy in modern times.

Post-2017 Riyadh has undergone visible social liberalization: women received the right to drive in June 2018; movie theaters reopened in April 2018 after a 35-year ban; entertainment events (concerts, sports, theater) have proliferated; the religious police (mutawa) have been substantially curtailed since 2016. International tourism opened to non-pilgrim visitors in September 2019 with the launch of e-Visa. The city is preparing to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, 2029 Asian Winter Games, 2030 Expo, and the 2034 FIFA World Cup as the country’s primary hosting city.

Geography, Climate & Best Time to Visit Riyadh

Geographic Setting

Riyadh sits on the Najd plateau at 612 meters elevation in the geographic center of the Arabian Peninsula. The city is surrounded by the open desert and semi-desert of central Arabia, with the Tuwaiq Escarpment (“Edge of the World”) rising 30 km west as the city’s most-photographed natural landmark. The historic Wadi Hanifah ravine runs through the western part of the city — now developed as a 120 km landscaped urban park — and was the natural water source that supported the original Riyadh and Diriyah oasis settlements.

The modern city’s geography splits into three functional zones: the historic central core (Al Bathaa, Masmak, Murabba, old neighborhoods), the modern downtown commercial spine (King Fahd Road, Olaya, the financial district), and the spreading northern and western suburbs with master-planned residential compounds and the King Khalid International Airport zone. The city’s deliberate north-south growth along King Fahd Road has created some of the world’s most-congested major arterial traffic.

Climate Overview

Riyadh has a hot desert climate (Köppen BWh). Summer (June–September): brutal — daytime highs 42–48 °C, occasional 50 °C+ readings, with overnight lows in the high 20s; humidity low (10–30%) which makes the heat tolerable but UV index extreme. Winter (December–February): pleasantly mild — daytime 18–24 °C, overnight lows 5–12 °C, with rare but locally heavy winter rainfall November–April. Annual rainfall just 110 mm. Spring sandstorms (April–May) and the occasional summer dust storm (haboob) can dramatically reduce visibility.

Best Time to Visit

November to March is the only realistic window for most international travelers — pleasant temperatures, the full programming calendar including Riyadh Season (October–March), and outdoor activity comfort. December–January: peak event timing including F1 weekend at Jeddah, MDLBeast Soundstorm festival in Riyadh, and the Diriyah E-Prix Formula E race. April–May: warming up but still tolerable; less crowded than winter. June–September: extreme outdoor conditions; most travel is mall-to-air-conditioning-to-mall; serious outdoor activity requires sunrise/sunset timing. Ramadan (dates shift each year): restaurants close during daylight; tourism volume drops significantly; post-sunset iftar culture is uniquely festive; not the best window for first-time visitors. Check current Ramadan dates with the Saudi Tourism Authority.

Riyadh’s Districts & Neighborhoods

Olaya (Central Business District)

The modern commercial heart of Riyadh, along King Fahd Road. Kingdom Centre Tower (302 m, with the iconic curved-bridge Skybridge observation deck); Al Faisaliah Tower (267 m, the older landmark with the rotating Globe restaurant); Olaya Galleria mall; major international hotel chains (Four Seasons Kingdom Centre, Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, Movenpick, Burj Rafal). Walkable indoors via skybridges but outdoor walks impractical in summer.

King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD)

The newer 1.6 million-square-meter business district 8 km north of Olaya — designed as a Wall Street-style financial-services hub with distinctive interconnected pedestrian-skybridge architecture. PIF, Saudi National Bank, Aramco offices, and the Saudi Stock Exchange. Recently expanded with hotel and entertainment components including the F1 Drive-In Live event venue.

Diplomatic Quarter (DQ)

The northern walled diplomatic district hosting all foreign embassies and consulates, the King Fahd National Library, the Wadi Hanifah Park entry, and a Diplomatic Quarter Walking Circuit. More relaxed atmosphere than central Riyadh; foreign residents and diplomats live here. Visa-pass required for entry.

Diriyah

The historic founding site, 20 km west of modern Riyadh — UNESCO World Heritage since 2010. The original 18th-century mud-brick settlement (the At-Turaif District) has been restored and redeveloped as the Diriyah Gate mega-project: At-Turaif heritage village, Bujairi heritage neighborhood with traditional Najdi-cuisine restaurants, hotels (Bab Samhan a Luxury Collection Hotel, Six Senses Diriyah), and the upcoming entertainment district. The most architecturally significant historic site within Saudi Arabia accessible to tourists.

Al Bathaa & Old Riyadh

The historic original city center around the Masmak Fort, the Murabba Palace, and the Al Bathaa Souq (the traditional gold-and-electronics-and-textile market). Less developed for international tourism; useful for the historic core experience and for budget-tier dining.

King Salman Park (under construction)

The 16 km² “world’s largest urban park” announced in 2019 — four times the size of New York’s Central Park. Currently under construction; planned to include cultural venues, residential and retail, and extensive sport facilities. Already the largest construction site in central Riyadh.

Qiddiya (under construction)

40 km west of central Riyadh — the planned entertainment-and-sports mega-city including a Six Flags theme park, a Formula 1 circuit (replacing Jeddah’s Corniche Circuit), water parks, and cultural venues. Initial sections opening 2025–2027.

Top Things to Do in Riyadh

#	Sight	Cluster	Type	Time	Entry	Best
1	Masmak Fortress	Central	Historic fort	~1 hr	Free	Morning
2	National Museum of Saudi Arabia	Central	Museum	~2 hrs	SAR 10	Morning
3	Wadi Hanifah Park	Outer	Linear park	~2 hrs	Free	Sunset
4	Diriyah At-Turaif (UNESCO)	Outer	UNESCO ruins	~2 hrs	SAR 30	Morning
5	Kingdom Centre Tower & Sky Bridge	Far	Skyscraper	~1.5 hrs	SAR 69	Sunset
6	Boulevard Riyadh City	Far	Entertainment	~3 hrs	SAR 50	Evening
🚗	Day Trip: Edge of the World	Day trip	Cliff trek	Full day	SAR 250	Sunrise
🚗	Day Trip: AlUla	Day trip	UNESCO ancient site	Full day	Flight	Morning

1. Visit At-Turaif & the Diriyah Gate

The restored 18th-century original Saudi capital — UNESCO World Heritage 2010. The mud-brick palaces, baths, mosques, and family residences of the Al Saud and Al-Sheikh families have been carefully restored using traditional techniques. The adjacent Bujairi Terrace includes traditional Najdi-cuisine restaurants (try Najd Village) and modern fine-dining establishments (Hakkasan, Brasserie Boulud, La Cantine). Entry to At-Turaif heritage zone SAR 65 (~US$17); reservations recommended; combine with sunset dinner at Bujairi Terrace.

2. Kingdom Centre Skybridge

The 302-meter Kingdom Centre Tower’s signature curved-bridge observation deck at floors 99-100. The 360° view sweeps central Riyadh, the Al Faisaliah Tower, and on clear days reaches to Diriyah and the desert. Especially spectacular at sunset. SAR 100 (~US$27); reservations via the official Kingdom Centre app.

3. National Museum of Saudi Arabia

The 28-hectare museum complex in the Murabba district — the most comprehensive single venue for Saudi history. Eight galleries cover prehistoric Arabia, Arab tribal life, the Islamic origins, the three Saudi states, modern unification, and contemporary culture. Entry SAR 10 (~US$2.70); allow 3–4 hours.

4. Masmak Fortress

The 1865 mud-brick fortress where Abdulaziz ibn Saud’s 1902 dawn raid recaptured Riyadh from the rival Rashidi family — the founding moment of modern Saudi Arabia. The fortress is now a museum displaying period weapons, documents, and the famous dagger still embedded in the original door. Free entry; in central Old Riyadh adjacent to the Al Bathaa Souq. Allow 90 minutes.

5. Edge of the World (Tuwaiq Escarpment)

The dramatic 300-meter cliff face 90 km northwest of Riyadh — one of the most photographed natural sites in Saudi Arabia. The cliff edge offers a spectacular view across the desert to the horizon. Important: a 4×4 vehicle is required for the final 25 km of unpaved track; organized day tours are the practical option (SAR 250–500 per person including pickup, lunch, and Bedouin-style coffee). Best at sunset; bring warm layers in winter.

6. Explore Wadi Hanifah Park

The 120-km landscaped urban park along the Wadi Hanifah valley — the natural watercourse that supported the original Diriyah and Riyadh oases. Walking and cycling paths, restored wetlands, modern public spaces. The most accessible green-space experience in Riyadh. Free.

7. Riyadh Season (October–March)

The country’s largest entertainment festival, running roughly October to March each year with rotating zones across the city — concerts, theme parks, F1 fan zones, food festivals, ice rinks, fireworks. Boulevard City (the largest entertainment zone), Boulevard Riyadh City, Wonder Garden, the F1 Drive-In Live during the Saudi Grand Prix. Adult tickets vary by zone and event; family-friendly programming is the focus.

8. Day Trip to AlUla (1 hour flight)

The 200,000-year-old Nabataean archaeological site in the northwest, often called “Saudi Arabia’s Petra.” The Hegra (Madain Saleh) rock-cut tombs are the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site (2008). One-hour flight from Riyadh; can be done as a long day trip but works much better as a 2–3 night overnight. Many international travelers add AlUla to their Riyadh itinerary as the cultural-heritage highlight of Saudi Arabia.

How to Get to Riyadh

By Air

King Khalid International Airport (RUH), 35 km north of central Riyadh, is Saudi Arabia’s busiest airport after Jeddah. Direct nonstop flights from most major Gulf cities (Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Muscat), most major European cities (London, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam, Madrid, Istanbul, Athens), major Asian hubs (Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai), and increasingly North American routes (New York, Washington Dulles, Los Angeles, Toronto). Saudi flag carrier Saudia, the new Riyadh Air (launched 2024), flynas (low-cost), plus most international carriers.

From the airport: Taxi SAR 80–150 to central Riyadh; Uber/Careem SAR 70–130; Airport Metro Line 6 (opened 2024) — direct connection to central Riyadh; hotel-arranged limousine service SAR 150–400.

By Train

Saudi Arabian Railway (SAR) connects Riyadh to: Dammam 4 hours (east, Eastern Province coast); Qassim 3 hours (north); Hail 5 hours; AlUla via new line. The high-speed Haramain Express connects Mecca-Medina-Jeddah-King Abdulaziz Airport — not yet extended to Riyadh, but the country is investing heavily in rail expansion. Tickets via the SAR official portal.

By Long-Distance Bus

SAPTCO operates intercity bus service to all major Saudi cities and a few cross-border routes (Kuwait, UAE). Comfortable air-conditioned coaches; significantly cheaper than flights for budget travelers.

By Car

Self-drive Saudi Arabia is feasible with international driving permit + national license. The country’s road network is excellent — major highways connect to Jeddah (8 hours), Dammam (5 hours), Mecca (8 hours), and onward to other Gulf states. Note: women have been legally permitted to drive since June 2018; rental cars are available for women drivers without restrictions.

Visa Notes

Saudi Arabia opened to non-pilgrim tourism in September 2019 — a major shift after decades of restricted access. e-Visa available to citizens of 62 countries including the US, UK, all EU member states, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Russia, China, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan. Apply via the official Saudi Tourism eVisa portal — SAR 535 (~US$143), processed in 5–15 minutes typically, valid 1 year multiple entry with stays up to 90 days. Visa on arrival available at major airports for the same eligible nationalities. Common mistakes: using unofficial third-party visa sites that overcharge 200–500%; women under 18 need male guardian authorization (the male-guardian rules have been substantially relaxed but check current requirements). Religious visa (Hajj/Umrah): separate process via authorized travel agents only.

Getting Around Riyadh

Riyadh Metro (opened 2024)

The dramatic new addition to Riyadh transit — the Riyadh Metro opened in phases from 2024. Six lines, 176 km, 85 stations, fully automated driverless trains. Lines 1 (Blue), 2 (Red), and 3 (Orange) cover the central commercial corridors; Line 6 connects to the airport. Single fares SAR 4–6; rechargeable smart card.

Uber, Careem, Bolt

Ride-hailing apps work well in Riyadh — Uber and Careem are the dominant brands; Bolt has launched recently. Reliable, transparent pricing, credit cards accepted. Female-only driver options available through Careem.

Taxis

Metered taxis from SAR 5 flagfall + SAR 1.50/km; reasonably abundant in tourist areas. White-and-yellow Riyadh taxis are the regulated fleet. Always insist on the meter or use Uber/Careem for transparent pricing.

Bus Network (SAPTCO)

The new King Abdulaziz Road BRT dedicated bus corridor and various standard bus routes cover central Riyadh. Limited English signage; less practical for short-stay visitors than the metro.

Self-Drive

Car rental from major international brands and Saudi local operators; SAR 100–400/day for an economy car. Important driving notes: speed cameras are abundant and strictly enforced; right-side driving (like Europe and North America); the Saudi traffic culture is aggressive — expect tailgating and last-second lane changes; women have been legally permitted to drive since June 2018 and there are no longer restrictions on female drivers.

Walking

Riyadh is genuinely car-designed — long blocks, wide arterial roads, sparse pedestrian infrastructure. Walkable zones: the Bujairi Terrace area in Diriyah, the King Abdullah Financial District pedestrian skybridges, and selected shopping malls (which serve as the country’s de-facto pedestrian zones, particularly in summer when outdoor walking is impossible).

Food & Drink in Riyadh

Saudi cuisine combines Najdi tradition (the central Arabian dishes of dates, mutton, rice, and dairy), broader Levantine and Egyptian influence, and the international restaurant explosion of the post-2017 Vision 2030 era. Riyadh’s dining scene has transformed dramatically since 2018; nearly every major global luxury brand has opened a Riyadh outpost in the past five years.

What to Try

• Kabsa — the national dish: long-grain basmati rice cooked with whole spices (loomi/dried lime, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves), tomatoes, and a roasted whole chicken or lamb shoulder; served on a communal platter for sharing. The Saudi family meal standard.
• Mandi — similar to kabsa but slow-cooked in an underground earth oven, originally from Hadhramaut (Yemen) but widely beloved in Saudi.
• Mutabbaq — folded pancake stuffed with minced meat, vegetables, or eggs and pan-fried; the street-food staple at every traditional restaurant.
• Mathnoob — the Najdi specialty of slow-cooked lamb shoulder over wood embers.
• Shawarma — vertical-roasted meat in flatbread; the universal Gulf street food.
• Hummus, mutabal, tabouleh, fattoush — the standard Levantine mezze available everywhere.
• Dates — the cultural staple; over 30 varieties grown across Saudi Arabia, with the Madinah Anbara, Khalas, Khudri, and Sukkari varieties widely respected. Premium dates at Bateel and Al-Madina.
• Saudi Champagne / Saudi Cocktail — non-alcoholic festival drink of apple juice, sparkling water, mint, and dates; the country’s celebratory beverage.
• Arabic coffee (gahwa) and dates — the universal greeting/hospitality ritual; bitter cardamom-flavored coffee served in small cups with sweet dates as the chaser.

Where to Eat

Najd Village (Bujairi Terrace, Diriyah and other locations): the canonical traditional Najdi-cuisine restaurant with seating in restored mud-brick rooms. Al Orjouwan at the Ritz-Carlton: high-end fine-dining Saudi. Hakkasan (Bujairi Terrace): Cantonese. La Cantine (Bujairi Terrace): French. Mamo Le Petit Bistro (Boulevard Riyadh City): contemporary French. Globe at Al Faisaliah: rotating restaurant with city panorama. Hashi Basha: traditional Saudi-Arabic fast food, multiple locations. Albaik (the country’s beloved fast-food fried-chicken chain).

Drinks

Important: alcohol is strictly illegal in Saudi Arabia for both citizens and visitors. There are no licensed bars, restaurants, or hotels serving alcohol; private alcohol possession by foreigners is risky (occasional arrests of diplomats and expatriates have been reported). Coffee: Arabic coffee (gahwa) bitter cardamom-flavored, served with dates; modern third-wave coffee culture (Stumptown-style, locally roasted) has exploded in post-2018 Riyadh with hundreds of new cafés. Karak chai — strong sweet milky cardamom tea; the working-Saudi afternoon staple. Fresh juices at Riyadh’s juice bars: sugarcane, pomegranate, mango. “Saudi Champagne” as covered above. Camel milk: available at supermarkets and the Camelicious chain.

A Note on Tap Water

Tap water in Riyadh is not safe to drink for foreign visitors. Saudi water comes primarily from desalination plants on the Red Sea and Persian Gulf coasts and is treated to drinking-water standards at the source, but the long-distance pipeline distribution and older building plumbing introduce taste, sediment, and occasional contamination issues. Bottled water: ubiquitous and inexpensive (SAR 1–5 per liter at any supermarket or kiosk); major brands Nova, Aquafina, Al Ain Water, Berain. Hotel bottled water is universally provided. The CDC traveler health page for Saudi Arabia rates food and water safety as low-risk by Middle East standards. The real summer health concern is heat exhaustion and dehydration — drink 4+ liters of water daily during summer travel.

Education & Notable People

Riyadh has invested heavily in higher education as part of Vision 2030, with King Saud University as the flagship public institution and several private and specialized universities expanding rapidly.

Major Universities

• King Saud University (KSU) — Saudi Arabia’s largest and oldest public university, founded 1957; ~70,000 students; strong programs in medicine, engineering, and the sciences.
• Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) — the world’s largest women’s university, with ~50,000 students at its 8 million m² campus in northern Riyadh.
• King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences — medical-and-health-sciences focus.
• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) — research-intensive university near Jeddah (not Riyadh) but central to Saudi higher education.
• Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University — religious-and-law focus.
• Prince Sultan University — leading private university.
• Saudi Electronic University — distance-learning innovation.

Notable People

Abdulaziz ibn Saud (1875–1953) — founder of modern Saudi Arabia; the dramatic 1902 recapture of Riyadh marks the founding moment of the kingdom. King Faisal bin Abdulaziz (1906–1975) — celebrated modernizer king; led the 1973 oil embargo. King Salman bin Abdulaziz — current king since 2015; long-time Riyadh governor. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) — architect of Vision 2030; the most consequential Saudi figure of the 21st century. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum — although Dubai-based, the UAE Vice President’s Saudi origins from the broader Najd region. Yasser Al-Qahtani — celebrated Saudi football player. Hamoud Al-Mohammadi — celebrated Saudi singer. Mohammed Abdo — legendary Saudi singer. Multiple contemporary entrepreneurs, business figures, and Saudi venture capitalists are reshaping the country’s investment ecosystem under Vision 2030.

Sister Cities & International Relations

Riyadh’s sister-city network reflects the kingdom’s identity as the diplomatic capital of the Arab and Islamic worlds and its growing global investment footprint.

Riyadh’s sister and partnership cities include (selection):

• Cairo, Egypt — Arab-world capital partnership.
• Tunis, Tunisia — Arab regional cooperation.
• Jakarta, Indonesia — Muslim-world friendship.
• Houston, Texas, USA — oil-industry partnership.
• Beijing, China — increasingly significant Belt-and-Road partnership.
• Tokyo, Japan — friendship link.
• Manila, Philippines — Asian regional cooperation.
• Washington, DC, USA — diplomatic-capital friendship.

Riyadh hosts the headquarters of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and serves as the diplomatic capital of the Arab world for many regional summits. Saudi Arabia joined BRICS+ in January 2024 (alongside the UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran) as part of the expanded grouping. The kingdom is preparing major international events: 2027 AFC Asian Cup, 2029 Asian Winter Games at NEOM, 2030 Expo, and the 2034 FIFA World Cup — with Riyadh as the primary hosting city for several of these. The Saudi Tourism Authority coordinates international promotion.

AFRIKA
Cairo Hurghada Johannesburg Marrakech

ASIA
Abu Dhabi Agra Antalya Bangkok Batam Beijing Bengaluru Cebu City Chiang Mai Chiba Chennai Da Nang Dammam Delhi Denpasar Dubai Fukuoka Guangzhou Guilin Ha Long Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Jakarta Jaipur Johor Bahru Kolkata Krabi Kuala Lumpur Kyoto Macau Mecca Medina Mugla Mumbai Osaka Pattaya Penang Phuket Riyadh Seoul Shanghai Shenzhen Singapore Taipei Tokyo Zhuhai

EUROPE
Amsterdam Athens Barcelona Berlin Brussels Budapest Copenhagen Dublin Florence Frankfurt am Main Heraklion Krakow Lisbon London Madrid Milan Munich Nice Paris Porto Prague Rhodes Rome Stockholm Venice Vienna Warsaw

NORTH AMERICA
Cancun Las Vegas Los Angeles Miami New York City Orlando San Francisco Toronto Vancouver

SOUTH AMERICA
Buenos Aires Lima Rio De Janeiro

OCEANIA
Auckland Honolulu Melbourne Sydney