The National Museum is one of the top attractions in Saudi Arabia tourist destinations, serving as a reminder of the old Arabic culture, traditions, and customs. The museum, a section of the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, was founded in 1999.

Al-Madi Park to the east and Al-Wadi Park to the north surround the museum. A simple walk to these spots will be one of the best things to do in Saudi Arabia. The National Museum's eastern side is made up of the two of them. The museum displays from all across the nation and the world in addition to housing some of the best relics you will love.

The History

This museum is an ideal component of the Murabba Development Plan. It was intended to renovate and enhance the neighborhood surrounding the former Murabba Palace district. The goal of the initiative was to make the Saudi Arabian Centennial Celebrations the best and a spot where tourists could go for the best things to do in Saudi Arabia.

The deadline was set for early 1999 for this reason. That left 26 months to completely design and build the museum. And this is the way the museum in Riyadh was built.

The Architecture

Raymond Moriyama, a renowned architect, oversaw the creation of the National Museum. The Red Sand structure and colors near Riyadh served as inspiration for the design itself. A crescent-shaped reflection of the dunes' contour can be seen on the west facade of Murabba Square, pointing in the direction of Makkah.

The history of Islam on the Arabian Peninsula is more open. A unification drum made up of numerous galleries displays the Saudi state as it is today. The two holiest mosques and the Hajj are highlighted in the final gallery. Two more galleries are set aside for certain plans.

The Eight Halls of the Museums You Should Visit

  1. Man and the Universe

    This exhibition, which portrays the earliest stages of human society, focuses on how changes to the surface of the earth affected those people. These specialities make the museum one of the best things to do in Saudi Arabia.

    The following are some of the exhibits in this hall and their basic details:

               * A meteorite fragment was discovered near the Wabar Craters in the Rub al Khali desert.
               * The operation of the tectonic plates and solar system are explained through interactive displays.
               * These exhibits also depict the Arabian Peninsula's geology, topography, and evolution of its flora and fauna.
               * A Platybelodon and an Ichthyosaur skeleton in a huge size are also on display.
               * The section in the museum: 1
               * It is located on the ground floor.

  2. The Arab Kingdoms

    14 pre-Islamic Arabian kingdoms that ruled over the Arabian Peninsula between 5000 BC and 700 AD are displayed in this exhibition hall. Numerous interactive storytelling exhibits and ancient artifacts are on display in the hall. These are on the ground floor and have only one section. The following are these kingdoms:

               * 5300 BC – 3600 BC - Obaid
               * 2400 BC – 1700 BC - Dilmun
               * 4000 BC – 3500 BC - Ad
               * 3500 BC – 3000 BC - Thamud
               * 1700 BC – 1050 BC - Midian
               * 10th century BC - Qedar
               * 400 AD – 700 AD - Ghassanid

  3. The Pre-Islamic Era

    The Jahiliya Era Hall, as it is one of the top attractions in Saudi Arabia, depicts the way of life of the average Arab before the advent of the Islamic Prophet (PBUH). It exemplifies the Arabian way of life before the arrival of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula.

    The museum features several cities from this era, including Khaibar, Makkah, Jarash, and Yathrib. Additionally, you can learn how the numerous scripts and calligraphies developed in the area. It is situated on the ground floor and has only one section. The spot will satisfy you with one of the best things to do in Saudi Arabia.

  4. Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Mission

    The Prophet Muhammad's birth, family, and lineage are all extensively discussed in this hall, one of the top attractions in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the exhibit recounts why he moved from Makkah to Madinah. There is a wall where a tree serves as an illustration and a representation of the Prophet Muhammad's family.

    Visitors have to cross a bridge to get to the next gallery. It represents a transition from the period of ignorance to the time the Prophet received the revelation of Islam. The hall is situated on the first floor and has only one section.

  5. Islam and the Arabian Peninsula

    The history of the Arabian Peninsula is highlighted in this particular hall, from the spread of Islam following the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to World War I, when the Ottoman Empire was overthrown. The hall is situated on the first floor and has six sections.

  6. First and Second Saudi States

    In this exhibition, you may see the history and culture of the two Saudi states between 1744 and 1824. You can see a large model of Diriyah under the glass. It can be properly investigated the way it was built. The hall is situated on the first floor, and it has two sections.

  7. Unification of the Kingdom

    King Abdul Aziz is the single subject of this hall, which details how he reclaimed Riyadh and founded his kingdom in 1902. It also takes into account the founding of the Third Saudi State. The hall is situated on the first floor, and it has only one section.

  8. The Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques

    A huge model of Makkah and its surroundings is shown in this exhibition, one of the top attractions in Saudi Arabia, the National Museum Riyadh. The exhibition emphasizes the significance of the Masjid Al-Nabwi, the Masjid Al-Haram Mosque, and the Hajj. This hall also demonstrates how King Abdul Aziz contributed to the creation of these structures. The hall is situated on the first floor, and it has five sections.

Basic Details about the National Museum

Before visiting, you should be aware of the following information about the National Museum, one of the top attractions in Saudi Arabia:

    •                    - Location: King Saud Road, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

  •                    - Hours: Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. On Fridays, the museum is closed after 4:00 p.m.

  •                    - Entry fee: Around SAR 10.

  •                    - Attractions nearby: The Al Faisaliyah Center, the Masmak Citadel, Ad-Diriyah, the Riyadh Zoo, and the Kingdom Center Tower.

The Riyadh National Museum is equipped with all necessary amenities, including separate, clean restrooms for women and men. The entire structure has air conditioning, and the always-helpful personnel in the museum's lobby welcome visitors.

Riyadh is one of the most populated areas in the Kingdom, and there is a bundle of things to do in Saudi Arabia. You can choose from a wide range of tourist attractions, including the Riyadh National Museum. The museum is a great spot to visit in Riyadh because it is based on Arabian culture and history.