National Museum of Saudi Arabia

• AreaKing Abdulaziz Historical Centre, Al-Murabba
• Best forContext before travelling, families
• Time2–3 h
• TicketsFree; reserve online

If you visit only one museum in Saudi Arabia, make it this one. The National Museum opened in 1999 to mark the centenary of the recapture of Riyadh, and it gives the best single overview of the country's past, from the formation of the Arabian Peninsula to the modern state. A couple of hours here will make everything you see later, from Hegra to the mudbrick towns of Najd, far easier to understand.

The building, designed by the Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama, curves like a dune along one side of the King Abdulaziz Historical Centre, a landscaped park in the Al-Murabba district of Riyadh. The galleries are laid out chronologically, so it is easy to follow the story in order.

The galleries

The permanent exhibition is spread across eight halls. Highlights include:

• Man and the Universe: meteorites from the Empty Quarter and the geology of the peninsula.
• Arabian kingdoms: statues from Dadan and other ancient sites near AlUla, inscriptions and finds from the incense trade routes.
• Pre-Islamic era: the poets, markets and trading cities of Arabia before the 7th century.
• The Prophet's mission and Islam: manuscripts, models and the spread of Islam from Makkah and Madinah.
• The Saudi states and unification: from Diriyah to the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques: how the pilgrimage and its routes have changed over the centuries.

Labels are in Arabic and English, and there are many models, films and interactive displays, which makes the museum good for children too. Temporary exhibitions are held regularly, sometimes with a separate booking.

Opening hours and tickets

Admission to the permanent galleries is free, but you can reserve a timed ticket through the museum's official booking page. Hours are generally 9:00 to 19:00 on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 9:00 to 22:00 on Thursday and 14:00 to 22:00 on Friday. The museum is closed on Sundays, and new visitors are not admitted in the last hour. Hours change in Ramadan, on Eid and on national holidays, so check the official visitor page before you go.

Getting there

National Museum station on the Riyadh Metro is right by the park, which makes this one of the easiest sights in the city to reach. By taxi or ride-hailing app it is around 15 to 20 minutes from Olaya. See our getting around guide for metro tickets and routes.

Combine it with

Next to the museum is Murabba Palace, built by King Abdulaziz in the 1930s and also open to visitors, and the park itself is pleasant for a walk at sunset. A short taxi ride south brings you to Masmak Fort and the old souqs; together they make an ideal history day. Later, head out to At-Turaif in Diriyah or up the Kingdom Centre for the evening view. Guided city tours that include the museum are on GetYourGuide, and you can compare hotels on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

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