Riyadh: The Heart of Saudi Arabia (Part 1)

 The capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has its name derived from the plural of Arabic name Rawdah, meaning garden or meadow. Located in the heart of Saudi Arabia is home to the historic roots of the Kingdom and a modern-day metropolis. 

After rain scenario

 King Khalid International Airport (RUH), formerly known as the largest airport in the world in terms of the ground area, serves the city of Riyadh. It was opened in late 1983, consists of 5 passenger terminals with 40 aerobridges each and a car parking of 11,600 vehicles. It is located 35 km north of Riyadh. It offers Bank services and ATMs, Car rental, Parking, Telecom, Packaging, Transportation and Medical services. The Riyadh Airport Marriott hotel is situated adjacent to the airport and just a short drive from the city's shopping centres and tourist places.

Inside view of the Airport

The airport has dining options for travellers from restaurants to coffee shops. You can also find unique collection stores with the best prices. 

Wellcome lounge present in both terminal 1 and 2 is open for all travellers including economy class travellers. It has buffet and beverage counters, kids room, sleep rooms, general seating and sky sales boutique.

 Al foursan lounge is only for first and business class travellers, located at terminal 2 and 5 departure has shower facilities, kids room, relaxation centre, food and beverage and seating area. (source: kkia.sa)

Riyadh National Zoo is the kingdom's largest zoo situated in Al Malaz area of Riyadh. It features more than 1500 animals, a toy train ride and beverage shops inside it.       

     

The entrance of the Zoo

As the common belief goes that the zoo is not open for families but only one parent can accompany the kids is all a myth. Surely, there are different timings

for male and females but families are allowed during

weekends. The toy train ride covers most of the zoo.

It lasts about 20 minutes and it has separate fees about 2 S.R. As you enter the zoo a flamboyance of flamingoes welcome you. Best time to visit the zoo is during the winter as animals tend to stay under shade and out of sight in the hot summer months and you would want to avoid the sun either.

A Flamboyance of Flamingoes

 One can also find a fountain in the centre of the zoo. During the summer the mist from the fountain feels cooling even though it is present as an attraction and nothing more. but surely a beautiful background to click photos.

Fantasy Land located in Al Thumama neighbourhood in the capital city. It was a water park with dolphin show in it. Families could enjoy in the dry rides as well as the pools at the park. There was a boat ride in the lake as well with the beautiful scenery surrounding the lake you could surely relax.  Unfortunately, they have closed down permanently.

Lake

Dolphin show

 Amusement parks in Riyadh: 

Star city amusement park was one of the parks we visited as school kids. It was a memorable one especially the roller coaster ride which felt terrifying during the ride but felt amazing after the ride. Maybe because of the adrenaline rush. There are separate timings for ladies and gents and no known timings for families. Always good to ask the locals.

         

Star city amusement park

       Al Hokair land owned by Al Hokair group, one of the largest business groups in Saudi Arabia. This park is located near the eastern ring road in Riyadh. A great place to spend time with friends during the weekdays and with family during weekends. Services at this park include mechanical thrill rides, video games, 3-D rides, Food and beverage centre. The ride tickets can be individually bought or a ride band can be taken that costs around 90 S.R. For more information ask the locals or just call up their number.

Mercure value Riyadh hotel is a ship-themed hotel in Riyadh. The location of this perfect for travellers who want to enjoy the sights and sounds of Riyadh.

Easy access to popular places such as Granada mall, Al Hokair land, Saqr Al-Jazira Aviation museum, Snow world, Sahara plaza and many more. 

They offer facilities like Fitness centre, indoor pool, spa centre, garden, restaurants (halal of course), playground for kids etc. Arabic, English and French are the languages spoken by the hotel staff. They also provide free WI-FI in every room. They also provide transportation to the KKIA  on a request basis. (source: agoda.com).

                        

Al Faisaliah tower in Riyadh is an office/hotel located at King Fahad Road. It is 3rd tallest in Riyadh and 4th Tallest tower in the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia after Kingdom centre, Burj Rafal and Abraj al-Bait. 

Al Faisalaih Tower

   It is also called the star dome. The round ball present at the top of the tower is a restaurant called The Globe. It is one of the premier restaurants in Saudi Arabia. It offers a 360-degree view and also known to rotate slowly like a globe, making a unique type of restaurant. The skyscraper is 267 metres high consisting of 30 floors.

A shopping complex and entertainment areas are adjoining Al Faisaliah mall. 

The tower consists of on the finest 5-star hotel in Riyadh i.e. Al Faisalaih hotel combined with Al Faisalaih suites featuring modern-day technology in the hotel rooms.

The World Sights Park located along the Eastern Ring road in Riyadh includes some famous miniature monuments of the world from the Great Wall of China to Effiel Tower of Paris.

Great Wall of China miniature

The entrance fee is 10 SR for adults and free for children. It takes about 30 mins to cover the whole park. It has snack carts and vendors on-site to munch along your stroll. You can bring your food in and have a picnic with your family. 

The park opens at 5:00 PM, Wednesday to Sunday for families and ladies and Tuesdays only for men. It is closed on Mondays for maintenance.

The park is well maintained with security guards and also safe to let children play at the playground.

(source: DestinationRiyadh)

 Kingdom Centre is a 90 story, 302.3m skyscraper in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is the 3rd tallest building in the Kingdom after Abraj al bait and Burj Rafal and also 3rd tallest building in the world with a hole after Shanghai world financial centre and 85 sky tower in Taipei. 

Kingdom Centre

It houses the Al Mamlaka shopping mall, offices, the Four Seasons Hotel, Riyadh and luxury apartments.

There is a 65m sky bridge atop the skyscraper. The upper third of the tower consists of an inverted parabolic arch below the public sky bridge. Visitors can visit the sky bridge by paying fees and taking two elevators to reach the enclosed corridor with windows on both sides.

Saqr Al-Jazira Aviation Museum is must-visit for those interested in aviation and its sciences. It reviews the journey of the aviation history of Saudi Arabia for more than 100 years, from watching aircraft in the skies of the Arabian Peninsula to King Abdulaziz owning aircraft and establishing the first Air force in the year 1344 H.

Saqr Al-Jazira Aviation Museum

 

The museum offers a theatre aviation stimulator with seating for 28 audiences, an F-15, Typhoon and Boeing-737 stimulators.  The museum has a specified gift shop related to the Air force, symbols, cups, medals etc for both kids and adults. It also provides brochures and maps of the layout of the museum. It has search screens which provide information on the history to students and researchers.

The Museum is open throughout the week except on Tuesdays, where it closes for maintenance.

The entrance fees are 5 SR for students and children under 10 whereas for general visitors it is SR 10 and free for special needs people.

(source: mod.gov.sa)

Thus, we have come to the end of part 1 of this blog. We hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we loved writing it. Until we meet again. في امان الله.