Top Adventure Activities and Attractions for your Riyadh Vacation
While Riyadh may conjure up images of an exciting metropolis full of museums, restaurants and galleries, its surroundings are equally exciting and even more breathtaking for a variety of adventures. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Wadi Hanifah
The spectacular Wadi Hanifah valley runs 120 kilometers north to south through Riyadh and serves up beautiful desert scenery along the Wadi Hanifah waterway, making it perfect for you to bike or hike. Start on the north end, near Wadi Hanifah Park, where you’ll find a variety of maintained trails.
DISCOVER MOREDesert Lake
If a desert lake sounds intriguing to you, drive to Al Kharrarah National Park at the edge of Riyadh to see one. Lake Kharrarah, also called the Lake of Liquid Light, forms during the rainy season and can be deep enough to swim. Take a dip or enjoy the surrounding red sand hills as you picnic with your family on the shore.
DISCOVER MORERiyadh’s Dunes
No trip to Saudi is complete without seeing its spectacular dunes. If you’re a thrill-seeker, Riyadh’s sand dunes offer tons of adventure activities, like dune bashing.
This form of off-roading combines mud and hill driving, and it’s popular throughout Saudi, especially around the capital. For another unique experience among the dunes, try sandboarding and sand sledding. Similar to traditional winter sports like snowboarding and snow sledding, adventure seekers can hop on a board to explore Riyadh’s rolling sands. Prefer a more traditional scene? You can try kashta, a true Arabian camping experience that invites travelers to sleep among the sand dunes and beneath the stars. Bonus: Many kashta experiences also provide traditional food and drinks for you to try and activities like camel riding.
DISCOVER MOREKing Abdullah Park
If you’re looking for a relaxing place for some outdoor fun with the family, head to King Abdullah Park, the largest in Riyadh. The well-maintained park is known for its dancing water fountain displays, gorgeous gardens and green lawns, including a large play area for kids.
DISCOVER MOREOther fun adventure attractions for the family:
Riyadh National Zoo
Go wildlife spotting at Saudi’s largest wildlife sanctuary, home to more than 1,500 animals.
DISCOVER MORESalem Park
Feed ducks, go for a boat ride, picnic, play and much more at this large greenspace in the city
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