Introduction

Etihad Airways, the fastest-growing airline in history, can transport you to the Saudi Arabian capital with our flights to Riyadh.

With historical forts and palaces, bustling markets and shopping centres, plus a number of iconic buildings, you’re promised a memorable stay in Riyadh.

Book your flights with Etihad Airways to experience a service so exquisite that we were named the World’s Leading Airline for four consecutive years at the 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 World Travel Awards. Take our video tour to find out more.

Attractions in Riyadh

Attractions in Riyadh

Over the years, Riyadh has been transformed from a small oasis town into a world-class commercial hub, with particular success in the fields of construction, finance, technology, petrochemicals and healthcare.

Boasting a central location in the Arabian Peninsula, the Saudi Arabian capital has 15 individual districts with a combined population of more than 5.2 million people. It’s also home to a vast collection of landmarks, from historical forts and palaces to bustling markets and shopping centres, plus the iconic Kingdom Centre and Al Faisaliah Tower.

Click on ‘view more’ below for a summary of our favourite hotspots in Riyadh, helping you to plan an unforgettable visit to the city.

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More attractions in Riyadh

To explore the history and culture of Riyadh, don’t miss historical landmarks such as the Masmak Fortress and Murabba Palace, which offer stunning backdrops to holiday photos. A visit to the National Museum at King Abdul-Aziz Historical Centre is also recommended. Spread across 17,000 square metres, the museum has onsite restaurants, gift shops and various exhibition halls, each focused on a different stage of evolution, such as ‘Pre-Islamic Times’, ‘Unification of the Kingdom’, and ‘Islam and the Arabian Peninsula’.

For breath-taking views of the Saudi Arabian capital, head over to central Riyadh, where you can visit the sky bridge at Kingdom Tower or the viewing platform at Al Faisaliah Tower. Both buildings are famous landmarks and contain their own shopping centres, restaurants and food courts, making them popular with local residents and tourists, especially during the weekends.

Riyadh has also received praise for its golf courses, including the Dirab Golf and Country Club, which features a 9-hole course, in addition to the main 18-hole one, parts of which are floodlit. What’s more, activities such as horse riding, swimming and tennis are also offered at the club.

About Riyadh Airport

King Khalid International Airport has been developed on one of the largest areas of airport land allocation in the world, around 35 kilometres north of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital city. 

Opened in the early 1980s to meet increasing demand for international and domestic air travel, the airport contains four individual terminals. Two of these are dedicated to international flights, while Terminal 3 is used for domestic services and Terminal 4 remains unused since its construction. The triangular terminals are connected by three linking buildings with moving walkways to shorten passenger connection time.

Other highlights at Riyadh’s airport include a Royal Terminal for exclusive use by the Saudi Royal Family and other VIP guests, over 500,000 square metres of landscaped gardens, a centrally located Masjid for up to 10,000 worshippers, and one of the world's tallest central control towers. In addition, the passenger terminals contain a variety of onsite facilities, including restaurants, cafes, banks and shops.

Etihad Airways provides our Diamond First Class guests with access to the Attar First Class Lounge at King Khalid International Airport.

Riyadh Airport

Riyadh Airport

Airport Name: King Khalid International Airport
Airport Code: RUH
City: Riyadh
Country: Saudi Arabia
Time Zone: +3:00 hours from UTC/GMT