 | Riyadh Today Riyadh is the capital city of Saudi Arabia and is the country's largest metropolis. It is the traditional homeland of the ruling Saud family. Riyadh is an increasingly modern city with many roads and modern transportation networks. At the seat of governance, there are numerous scenic monuments and an active local social environment. The King Abdul Aziz Historical Area features outdoor gardens and the 100 Palms Park underneath the famous Water Tower landmark, as well as the new National Museum and Al-Murabba Palace. The former is a stunning architectural monument, opened in 1999, which was buil |
 | Riyadh Back then An inconsequential oasis town of under 10,000 people only a century ago, Riyadh (more specifically, the neighboring town of Diriyah) is the ancestral home of the al-Sauds, The Saudi Royal Family. Driven out by the Rashids clan in 1891, King Abdulaziz bin Saud famously raided and recaptured the city in 1902. The city was made the capital of Saudi Arabia when the country was born in 1932, and has grown exponentially since then. |
 | Al Faisaliah Located in the same complex as the Faisaliah Tower (but not in the tower itself), is probably Riyadh |  | Four Seasons It doesn't get any fancier than staying in the 302-meter Al-Faisaliah Tower, and the Four Seasons pr |
 | Holiday Inn Al-Qasr Holiday Inn Al-Qasr, Olaya Main Rd, +966-1-4625000. Formerly the Howard Johnson Olaya Palace, this h |  | Intercontinental Hotel This is a popular hotel for visiting businessmen. It contains large meeting facilities and good rest |
 | Luthan Spa and Hotel This is the first and only women-only hotel in Saudi Arabia. Most visitors are locals coming here fo |  | Marriott Riyadh This hotel is in desperate need of a facelift and is awkwardly located east of the city core. About |
 | Al Mamlaka (Kingdom Centre) Shopping Mall This upscale three-level shopping center includes the women-only Ladies Kingdom, an entire level whe |  | Souq al-Thumairi Souq al-Thumairi, Deira (next to Masmak Fortress). Also known as Antique Souq, this is Riyadh's most |
| Souq al-Thumairi Souq al-Thumairi, Deira (next to Masmak Fortress). Also known as Antique Souq, this is Riyadh's most |
 | Eid-ul Fitr Held between the 8th and the 17th October, Eid-ul Fitr comes after the long-drawn fasting of the Mus |  | Janadriyah Festival Janadriyah Festival is one of the major cultural festivals in Riyadh and is celebrated between the12 |
 | Eid-ul Adha Eid-ul Adha, also called the Feast of the Sacrifice, is celebrated any time between the 15th and the |  | Saudi National Day Saudi National Day, one of the most important Public Holidays in Riyadh is celebrated on the 23 of S |
 | Burger Boutique This is the Middle East's first gourmet burger joint. They specialize in a wide array of classic and |  | Chilis Quite good rendition of TexMex with a typical American look-and-feel. The Buffalo Wings / Tenders ar |
 | Assaraya This very popular Turkish restaurant is packed during the evening hours. Meat is the name of the gam |  | Duo This chain Italian restaurant caters primarily to families. The selection is decent, but quality is |
 | Al-Nakheel Al-Nakheel, Khozama Centre 7F (next to Al-Khozama Hotel). Though widely acclaimed as the best restau |  | Shayah Iranian restaurant offering a good range of kebabs and a better range of mezze like tabbouleh, hummu |
 | Fast Facts -Location: Middle East -Dialing code: +966 -Emergency numbers: -International Operator: 901 - Emergency: 993 - Ambulance: 997 - Fire: 998 - Police: 999 - Directory Assistance:-905 -Population: 5 Million (estimation) -Languages : Arabic -Time zone: GMT +3 -Average January temperatures: 14.4 C/58 F -Average July temperatures: 36.6 C/98 F -Annual rainfall: 94.8 mm (3.73) Inches |
