Desert Oasis Driving Tour of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (German)

Our first place on our driving tour is on our right, the King Khalid Grand Mosque. One of the largest and most prominent mosques in the country, it is also one of more modern design. Construction began in the late 20th century and was officially inaugurated and opened to the public in the early 21st century. Its completion marked a significant milestone in the architectural and cultural landscape of Riyadh, showcasing the kingdom’s commitment to promoting Islamic heritage and providing modern facilities for worshippers. It was built to accommodate the growing population of Riyadh and to provide a central place of worship for the city’s residents.
The architectural design of the King Khalid Grand Mosque reflected a blend of traditional Islamic motifs as well as contemporary elements. The mosque’s grandeur and scale make it one of the most impressive religious structures in Saudi Arabia. Its distinctive features, including majestic domes, towering minarets, and ornate calligraphy, contribute to its architectural beauty and spiritual significance.
The name of the mosque derives from King Khalid who ruled Saudi Arabia from 1972 until his death in 1982. He was the eldest son of King Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia. His reign was marked by stability and economic prosperity, fueled by the kingdom’s vast oil reserves. He continued the predecessor’s policies of modernization and development, investing in infrastructure, education, and healthcare. It’s no wonder this amazing mosque standing in the capital of Saudi Arabia is named after King Khalid.
Beyond its role as a place of worship, the King Khalid Grand Mosque serves as a vibrant community center, hosting a wide variety of religious, cultural, and educational activities. From Quranic recitation sessions, religious lectures, Islamic exhibitions, and social programs aimed at promoting unity and understanding among Muslims. And, over the years, the King Khalid Grand Mosque has become a symbol of religious devotion and cultural pride in Riyadh. It attracts worshippers and visitors from around the world who come to admire its architectural splendor, participate in religious rituals, and learn about Islamic traditions.

This is a driving tour isn’t it? So what better than a delicious coffee or tea to go? Up ahead on our right is Kyan Cafe, a popular drive through with delicious drinks, snacks, and sweets! If you’re feeling a bit peckish or know you like to have a little something with you on car rides, I know I do, then pull up to the drive through at Kyan!
They of course have your typical coffee and tea drinks like an espresso, latte, and green tea. But, they also have really fun and unique beverages like their Mocha Oreo, or their Slush and Entity drinks! With yummy fruity flavors like watermelon and cherry, their Entity drinks are mixed carbonated beverages garnished with mint and lemon. Extremely refreshing for the desert heat!
For food, you have many different options! A popular choice is the croissant or crepe, both with milk biscuit sauce, or if you’re wanting something more traditional, they also have Umm Ali with nuts! A popular dessert originating from Egypt, it’s a rich and creamy bread pudding.
Hopefully I have convinced you to at least try one thing, we have a little bit until our next place, so I’ll tell you more about the great city of Riyadh while you drink your new favorite tea!

Riyadh’s history dates back to ancient times when it was just a small settlement in the central region of the Arabian Peninsula. Due to its strategic location on the trade routes, connecting the Arabian Peninsula with the Levant, Egypt, and Mesopotamia, Riyadh served as a stopping point for caravans traveling through the desert. The capital city is situated in the historical region known as Al-Yamamah, which was known for its fertile oases, which attracted settlers engaged in agriculture and trade. The name Riyadh even derives from the Arabic word meaning “gardens” or “meadows,” reflecting the city’s origins.
In the 18th century, Riyadh gained prominence when it became the capital of the First Saudi State. It served as the political and religious center of the nascent Saudi state, which aimed to unify the Arabian Peninsula under Islamic rule. Then in the 19th century, Riyadh came under Ottoman rule as part of the broader Ottoman Empire. However, the Ottomans faced resistance from the House of Saud and their allies, leading to a series of conflicts known as the Saudi-Ottoman War. Later on in the 20th century, Riyadh regained its status as the capital of the Second Saudi State, and Ibn Saud, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, whom we mentioned earlier, successfully united the disparate regions of the Arabian Peninsula under his rule, culminating in the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932.
Since then, Riyadh has undergone rapid urbanization and development, transforming from a traditional desert settlement into a modern metropolis. The city has become a major political, financial, and cultural hub in the Middle East, attracting both domestic and international travel.

One of the largest cultural complexes in the world, King Fahd Cultural Center serves as a premier venue for cultural, educational, and artistic events, showcasing the rich heritage and achievements of the kingdom. Inaugurated by King Fahd himself in 1987, it was established as part of the kingdom’s efforts to promote culture, arts, and intellectual exchange both domestically and internationally.
With a range of facilities and venues tailored to accommodate various types of events and activities, there is so much to explore! With a grand auditorium equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, you can catch concerts, theater performances, and conferences with one thousand of your best friends! Exhibition halls for hosting art exhibits, and international events, it’s a wonderful space for artists and creators to display and share their works with the community. And, of course there are libraries and museums within the center, dedicated to preserving and promoting Saudi heritage, history, and literature. If you’re looking to get some sunshine, there are also multiple outdoor spaces such as gardens, courtyards, and outdoor amphitheaters you can relax in or engage in other festivals, events, and celebrations.
If you’re looking to dive deep into the culture of Saudi Arabia, I would highly recommend stopping by. There is so much to learn in these walls, it’s almost difficult to comprehend. A beautiful place with so much knowledge, it’s a wonderful resource as well as a fun and interesting activity during your travels.
We are going to be making our way towards the more hustle and bustle of Riyadh city life, so in the meantime I would love to tell you about one of my favorite things about Riyadh and Saudi Arabia as a whole!

Riyadh puts on many different events and performances throughout the year, but there is no event like the Jenadriyah Heritage and Cultural Festival! One of the largest and most celebrated events in Saudi Arabia, it takes place annually right here in Riyadh, and attracts millions of visitors from within the kingdom and even around the world.
With its roots in the cultural traditions of Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula, it was first organized in 1985 under the patronage of the Ministry of National Guard as a means to spread awareness of Saudi heritage, culture, and traditions. The festival lasts for 14 days usually in either February or March. It is held at the Janadriyah Heritage Village, located just a but outside of the main city borders and serves as a permanent cultural complex for Saudi culture and history.
There is so much going on during this two week long festival, it is so much fun! You will find traditional folk performances such as music, dance, poetry recitals, and storytelling representing various regions and tribes of Saudi Arabia. There are also many exhibitions of traditional crafts, artfacts, costumes, and even architectural styles from different parts of the kingdom. Artisans and craftsmen demonstrate pottery, weaving, metalwork, and calligraphy, and of course you will be able to sample authentic Saudi cuisine and delicacies at food stalls and marketplaces, like Kabsa! Perhaps one of the most famous Saudi dishes, and often considered the national dish of the kingdom, it’s a flavorful rice cooked with meat, vegetables, and a blend of aromatic spices such as cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. Often served with a side of spicy tomato sauce known as “daqqus” or yogurt, this meal is amazing!
And, as fantastic as all of the food, art, and history is, one of the activities that you will hear so much about is the extremely popular camel races. A traditional sport in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, it is deeply rooted in Bedouin culture. With a long history dating back centuries, it was once a mode of transportation to navigate the vast desert landscapes. Now, there are camel race tracks, known as “Maidans,” and are specially designed courses that feature long straightaways and wide turns to accommodate the speed and agility of racing camels. If you get a chance to witness a camel race, I promise you will not regret it! The Jenadriyah Heritage and Cultural Festival is a great time for everyone, so if you happen to be visiting during the Spring months you have to attend!

Once we turn right on Prince Abdallah Lbn, Al Murabba Square will be on the left! A popular square filled with some of the most influential structures in Riyadh. The first building that will appear is the one that the square is named after, Murabba Historical Palace!
The Murabba Historical Palace was commissioned by King Abdulaziz in 1936, and completed in 1938. A fine example of traditional Najdi architecture, built using adobe bricks, with palm frond roofs and wooden doors. It was one of the first buildings in Riyadh to be constructed outside the old city walls, signifying the city’s expansion and the evolving modernization. Its original intention was to serve as a royal residence and a place for conducting state affairs, and played a central role in the governance and administration of the newly formed Saudi state. The palace is now part of the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, which includes several museums and cultural institutions dedicated to preserving Saudi history. The Murabba Historical Palace specifically houses a vast collection of items, including personal belongings of King Abdulaziz and traditional Najdi artifacts.
Then as you come around the roundabout the King Abdulaziz Grand Mosque is on the left. Named after King Abdulaziz, it features large prayer halls, extensive courtyards, and beautiful Islamic calligraphy and decorations. The interior of the mosque is adorned with intricate art, from geometric patterns and arabesques, to calligraphy from the Quran. The prayer halls are so massive they can accommodate thousands of worshippers at a time, and the main prayer hall is particularly grand with high ceilings and ornate chandeliers. The King Abdulaziz Grand Mosque serves as one of the main places of worship in Riyadh, hosting the five daily prayers, Friday prayers, and special prayers during Islamic holidays such as Eid. It is accessible to both locals and visitors, but please be respectful to the people at the mosque.
The third and last place in the square is the National Museum that you will see on your left once we turn on to King Faisal Road. The National Museum was inaugurated in 1999 as part of the centennial celebrations of the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Organized into eight main galleries, each focusing on different aspects of Saudi Arabia’s history and culture, such as, the Man and Universe gallery that explores the geological history of the Arabian Peninsula, featuring fossils, meteorites, and interactive displays about the natural environment, or the Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques gallery that talks about the significance of the Hajj pilgrimage and the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, with models, photographs, and historical artifacts. The National Museum plays a vital role in the study of Saudi Arabia’s all around history and is an excellent place to learn more about the fantastic country we are currently in.

You see that massive striped tower on the right? That’s the iconic Riyadh Water Tower! Also known as the Riyadh Mushroom Water Tower due to its obvious mushroom shape, it’s a very well known landmark in the city. With a large, circular reservoir supported by a narrow cylindrical stem, stands at about 200 feet, or 61 meters tall, and has a water storage capacity of around 3.17 million gallons, or 12,000 cubic meters. It was built in the 1970s as a way to modernize Riyadh’s infrastructure and its primary purpose was to improve the city’s water storage and distribution system, addressing the needs of the rapidly growing population.
What’s really fun though about the water tower is you’re actually able to climb to the top and catch fantastic views of the city! If you’re looking for a place to get a glimpse of the amazing skyline of Riyadh, I promise you will not be let down.
We have two more stops left on our driving tour through Riyadh! The next two places are both on the list of the most visited and well known landmarks in all of the city, I am so excited to show you! I’ll be back in just a little.

Welcome to King Abdullah Park! One of the largest and most popular parks in Riyadh, there is so much to see and do within the green landscape nestled in between the skyscrapers and the bustling streets of the city. The park was officially opened in 2013, and quickly has become one of the most desirable recreational areas. In the center of the park there is a large lake, which is home to a spectacular musical fountain! The fountain performs nightly shows, with water jets synchronized to music and lights, creating a mesmerizing display! On top of the fantastic fountain, you can even rent pedal boats. This is a great activity if your feet are feeling a little tired, but you are still wanting to explore everything the park has to offer.
Throughout the park there are also beautifully landscaped gardens with a variety of plants, trees, and flowers. It’s such a serene and peaceful environment for relaxation and leisurely walks. Speaking of walks, there are extensive paths through the park that allow for us visitors to walk from one end of the park to the other with ease, while still getting in those steps!
And, if you’re looking for more of an event to take part in during your time at the park, there is an excellent outdoor amphitheater that hosts concerts, cultural performances, plays, and so much more. This is a lovely way to immerse yourself in the everyday life of the people of Riyadh. I highly recommend it!
There is so much to see and do at King Abdullah Park, it’s an excellent place to take a break from the city, while of course still being in it! Just remember there is an entry fee to King Abdullah Park, the money goes towards the upkeep and maintenance of the amazing facilities.
Okay! We are officially heading to our final destination, possibly one of the most visited landmarks in all of Riyadh.

With a parking lot on our right, you are more than welcome to park here to fully take in Al Rajhi Grand Mosque! The largest mosque in all of Riyadh with a prayer hall that has the capacity of 18,000 worshippers at a time, even putting it in the rankings of one of the largest mosques in all of Saudi Arabia. To really help put that number into perspective, the first mosque we started our tour at, The King Khalid Grand Mosque, has a capacity of 5,000 worshippers. Al Rajhi Grand Mosque is massive!
Established by the Al Rajhi family, it was officially inaugurated in 2012, and it has since become a key religious and cultural landmark in Riyadh. The Al Rajhi family is one of the most influential and wealthiest families in Saudi Arabia, known for their significant contributions to the country’s economic, financial, and philanthropic sectors. Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al Rajhi, along with his brothers, is credited for laying the foundation for what would become one of the largest and most successful business empires in the Middle East - Al Rajhi Bank. Al Rajhi Grand Mosque now stands as a testament to the family and their importance to the Kingdom, and serves as a place of worship for all those who practice, as well as Quranic studies, religious lectures, and classes on Islamic jurisprudence.
Easy to tell, the mosque is a grand structure, with a harmonious blend of traditional Islamic and modern architectural elements. From geometric patterns, domes, and miranets, to eco-friendly design features, state-of-the-art technology, and luxurious chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Inside the mosque there is also the mihrab and minbar. The mihrab is a niche in the wall indicating the direction of Mecca, and is beautifully designed, often highlighted with ornate decoration. The minbar is a pulpit from which the Friday sermon is delivered, and is crafted from many fine materials and positioned within the prayer hall.
Al Rajhi Grand Mosque stands as a testament to the architectural beauty and spiritual significance of Islamic places of worship. It is not only a major center for religious activities but also plays an essential role in community service, education, and cultural engagement. Al Rajhi Grand Mosque represents the amazing people of Riyadh, and I hope you can sense that.
This is the end of our driving tour through the capital city of Saudi Arabia! Thank you so much for joining me on this adventure, we got to learn so much about the city of Riyadh, as well as the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This place has so much to offer, from entertainment, history, religious and spiritual significance, and outdoor recreation. I hope you enjoyed our time together, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Riyadh.