Centro Olaya Riyadh | Items | Historical Riyadh Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

Historical Riyadh Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

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$9.36

Price varies by group size

About

Explore Riyadh’s historical district, and learn about the city’s origins as the capital of Saudi Arabia with this immersive tour! Listen to an expert historian and get an in-depth insight into Riyadh’s famous souks, magnificent mosques, cultural sights and begin to understand how this town, in the middle of a massive red-sand desert, has become one of the most developed cities in the world! Walk around the iconic key attractions such as the Al Masmak Fortress, Al Safat Square, The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque, Souq AlZzal Market, and Ath Thumayry Street as we track the history of this fascinating city and how it’s changed over the past 300 years. Experience a historical adventure in thi...

Highlights

50 minutes

Offered in English

Free Cancellation

Mobile Ticket

50 minutes

Offered in English

Free Cancellation

Mobile Ticket

What's Included

Offline Mode: Download tours in advance to listen without WiFi

Location Aware: GPS map allows you to enjoy sites, without getting lost

Access to your self-guided audio tour

Instagram Hotspots: We find the spot for your perfect picture

Audio tour provided by a local or historian

Headphones

Mobile device

Meeting Points

Departure

Al Masmak Palace Museum

This is a self guided tour. You can start whenever you're ready!

Return

Al Thumairi Street

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Itinerary

Al Masmak Fortress

Begin the tour outside Al Masmak Fortress, a building is foundational to the history of modern Saudi Arabia. Follow the story of the Royal Saudi Family and King Abdulaziz's recapture of this Fortress back in 1902. Come back here later if you want and we can follow King Abdulaziz’s footsteps through Al Masmak.

5 minutes

Al Safarat

Head into Al Safat, a square established during Imam Turki bin Abdullah’s reign. It was redesigned during the first master plan for the new city of Riyadh. Despite this area being the oldest part of Riyadh, it actually underwent a lot of change! As the city plan went on, a lot of neighbourhoods opened up massively and ditched the traditional narrow streets and densely packed houses.

5 minutes

Qayasriat Al Kitab Riyadh

Wander into Qayasriat Al Kitab, a beautiful bookshop surrounded by palm trees and little fountains. This place brings together intellectuals, readers, and writers in one place in the heart of Riyadh by the Palace of Governance. Learn about Riyadh’s other cultural sights, from the King ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Historical Centre and the National Museum to Al-Murabaa Palace and the famous Al-Jinādiriyyah national cultural festival.

5 minutes

Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Grand Mosque

Visit the Great Mosque, also known as the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque. This mosque was established during the reign of Imam Turki bin Abdullah in the 19th century and is one of the most important mosques in the city of Riyadh. Citizens could come here to meet and speak to their ruler.

10 minutes

Riyadh

Weave through Souq Al Zal, a truly authentic market here in the heart of Riyadh. The souq is over 100 years old and is still a go to destination for Saudis to buy and barter for carpets, perfumes, traditional clothes, and food. Learn about the history of Arabian markets, from the first souqs that appeared 2500 years ago to Saudi Arabia’s modern trade.

5 minutes

Al Thumairi Street

Stroll down Al-Ath Thumayry Street, a favourite spot for handicrafts and local gifts. This is considered to be one of Riyadh’s most famous streets and it sums up Riyadh perfectly with authentic produce. Keep an eye out for the clock tower at the end of this road that was built in 1966, making it one of the city’s first public clocks!

10 minutes

Riyadh

Finish the tour at Ath Thumayry Gate, a reconstruction of an old city gate. It’s part of the Qasr Al Hokm project, which reconstructs old parts of the heart of the city, and is made from the original materials that made up the old wall. Walk around it and you feel you are living in history.

10 minutes

Important Information

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Wheelchair accessible

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Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

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Service animals allowed

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Public transportation options are available nearby

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Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

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All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

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Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.

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Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

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If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

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This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.