Before joining the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, the capital city, had a long history. All curious visitors can learn about the fascinating history of this Arab metropolis by visiting the museums in Riyadh, one of the top attractions in Saudi Arabia. They transport visitors through the mesmerizing history of the country and Islam.
Ancient artifacts and relics from both the pre-Islamic and Islamic centuries are kept at the museums. Additionally, these museums provide a wealth of information regarding Riyadh's evolution over time. If you are interested in collecting rich information about the nation, these museum visits are one of the best things to do in Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh's museums are an excellent place to learn about the architecture, culture, art, history, and civilization of the city. Additionally, families traveling together can enjoy and learn new things about the region. These museums provide a window into the past of Saudi Arabia's capital city. Here, we list the top five museums in Riyadh, the top attractions in Saudi Arabia to learn about the history of the nation.
Al Masmak Palace Museum
The 150-year-old Al Masmak Palace Museum, which is situated in the center of Riyadh, is a palace that displays Saudi Arabia's history. The museum's exhibits include relics, tools, weapons, maps, and more. The structure is a historical marvel that served as a military base during the major periods of the 1800s. Al Masmak Palace represents Riyadh's conquest. Visitors can see several pictures, presentations, videos, and documentaries on display in the museum. In the vicinity of Al Masmak, one of the best things to do in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is to purchase souvenirs at the renowned Souk Al Zal Market.
* Location: Al Thumairi Street
* Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
* Entry Fee: There is no entry fee.Historical Diriyah Museum
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and open-air museum, the Historical Al Diriyah Museum is one of the top attractions in Saudi Arabia. Typically, in Riyadh, the ruins of Diriyah have been transformed into a stunning museum with a rich history, offering a visual treat to visitors.
This historic neighborhood, which served as the royal family of Saudi Arabia's administrative center, welcomes visitors to stroll through its streets, one of the most interesting things to do in Saudi Arabia. People can gain insight into earlier civilizations in the Arabian Peninsula through ancient tools and relics.
* Location: Wadi Hanifah Street, Ad Diriyah
* Hours: Daily from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.Currency Museum
The Currency Museum, also known as the Money Museum, is Riyadh's most intriguing museum, one of the top attractions in Saudi Arabia, and is home to some of the nation's coins and old currencies.
The museum facilitates various rooms that provide details on pre-Islamic and Islamic coinage. It is run by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) and opened to the general public for visits. The Currency Museum's exhibits feature valid currencies, including coins and notes from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. One of the interesting things to do in Saudi Arabia includes collecting rich information through these museum exhibitions.
* Location: King Saud Bin Abdulaziz Street, SAMA Headquarters
* Hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and 8 a.m.–2 p.m. on Sunday.
* Entry fee: SR 10.Al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art
Items owned and conserved by the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies are displayed at the Al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art (KFCRIS). A popular tourist destination in Riyadh is the art museum, which displays the ancient history of Arabo-Islamic art and its many influences. Its exhibits encourage reflection on the past and offer information about local history. Fine arts, manuscripts, coins and currencies, Arabo-Islamic art, the history of the center, and the King Faisal memorial collection are all on display.
* Location: No. 38, Al Olaya, Riyadh
* Hours: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
* Entry Fee: There is no entry fee.National Museum of Saudi Arabia
One of the largest collections on the development of life on the Arabian Peninsula can be found in the National Museum of Saudi Arabia. Numerous sections make up the museum, including the Prophet's Mission Hall, the Man and Universe Hall, the Hall on the Saudi Arabia Foundation, and the Pre-Islamic Era Hall, which are among the four main sections. Here, each room is exhibiting weapons and maps, animal fossils, relics from the time of the Prophet Muhammad, as well as tribal antiques from bygone eras.
* Location: King Abdul Aziz Historical Center, King Faisal Road, Riyadh
* Hours: Saturday to Thursday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; and Friday, 4 p.m.–8 p.m.
* Entry fee: SR 10.
Riyadh is Saudi Arabia's administrative capital and one of its commercial centers, which most people around the world are attracted to. The city is also referred to as Saudi Arabia's cultural capital. So, people are always interested in the top attractions in Saudi Arabia.
The National Museum of Saudi Arabia, the King Abdul Aziz Historical Center, and other historical sites and exhibitions that showcase the history and culture of the nation are among the top cultural centers in Saudi Arabia, and they are all located in Riyadh. Through these historical museums in Riyadh, visitors can learn more about Islamic art, culture, and tradition, and this is one of the worthy things to do in Saudi Arabia. These centers broaden ideas and encourage constructive dialogue among young people.
