After a restful night, ease into Riyadh with a leisurely breakfast at Al Malaz Park Café followed by a gentle stroll through Al Murabba Historical Palace grounds, where you can admire restored Najdi architecture and informative outdoor displays. Continue with a curated orientation stop at King Abdulaziz Historical Center to visit the peaceful gardens and get your bearings-pick up maps at the visitor desk and enjoy coffee at the on-site café while planning afternoon options.
Head to the lively Al Masmak neighborhood to explore Al Masmak Fortress, where you can climb the ramparts, view exhibits on the unification of Saudi Arabia, and stroll the adjacent pedestrianized squares. Afterward wander through the nearby historic lanes to discover Souq Al Zal for traditional handicrafts and a quick cup of Arabic coffee at a local stall, then finish with skyline views and sunset-light photos at the modern promenade of Al Thumairi Street where old meets new.
Unwind after your first day with a relaxed dinner at Najd Village Restaurant, where traditional Najdi dishes are served in a charming heritage-style setting-perfect for sampling mandi and jareesh while soaking in local ambiance. After dinner, take a short drive to King Abdullah Park for an easy evening walk among illuminated fountains and landscaped pathways, finishing with a rooftop-style coffee or shisha at The Globe Lounge for gentle city views and a nightcap before turning in.
Start your morning with a guided tour of Diriyah's At-Turaif District, wandering restored mud-brick palaces and learning about the birthplace of the Saudi state before enjoying traditional coffee at the onsite cultural café. Continue to the nearby National Museum of Saudi Arabia for immersive exhibits that trace Arabia's history and see the impressive archaeological halls, then pause for a light mid-morning snack and people-watching at the museum's landscaped courtyard.
After the morning at Diriyah and the National Museum, spend the afternoon exploring the elegant Murabba Palace area and its nearby cultural hubs - tour the restored royal reception rooms at Al Murabba Palace Annex and enjoy a late-lunch tasting of Saudi mezze at Tamatim Café. Continue with a visit to the striking contemporary galleries of Misk Art Institute, then take a relaxing stroll through the landscaped King Abdullah Financial District Park for skyline views and a coffee break before sunset.
Wind down your day with a sunset visit to Wadi Hanifah Promenade, where wide walking paths and natural pools offer a peaceful contrast to the city's bustle, followed by a riverside tea at Al Nakheel Terrace Café. For dinner, savor contemporary Saudi flavors at Lusin Riyadh (Armenian-inspired with local touches) and finish with a nightcap and panoramic city views from Sky Bridge Lounge in the King Abdullah Financial District to tie the historic daytime discoveries to Riyadh's modern skyline.
Begin with a deep dive into Saudi art and heritage at the King Abdulaziz Foundation (Darah), where rotating exhibits, historical documents, and a tranquil courtyard café set the tone for the day. From there stroll to nearby Al Zal Souq Extension to browse antiques and textiles, then join a short workshop or demonstration at the Riyadh Artisans Centre to try your hand at traditional crafts before pausing for Arabic coffee at a family-run stall.
Walk through the lively lanes of Souq Al Thumairi to hunt for textiles, perfumes and traditional garments, stopping at a fragrant oud stall for a short demo and a sampling of Arabic sweets. Then head to the contemporary Naila Art Gallery for rotating local exhibitions and a curator-led talk (check times), finishing with a late-afternoon tea and rooftop views at Café Bateel while reflecting on the morning's crafts workshop and preparing for an evening market visit.
As dusk falls, enjoy a contemporary cultural evening at Misk Art Center with rotating installations and often-hosted performance nights, then head to the nearby Al Nakheel Boulevard for an alfresco stroll past pop-up galleries and food trucks offering modern Saudi street bites. Finish with a relaxed dinner and live music at Izan Lounge & Terrace, where fusion cuisine and a rooftop atmosphere tie the day's museum and market discoveries into a stylish, modern Riyadh night.
Rise early and meet your guide for a scenic drive toward Thumamah, stopping for a energizing breakfast and Saudi coffee at Thumamah Farm Café before entering the desert escarpments. Hike along the rim at Jebel Fihrayn (Edge of the World) to watch the sunrise over dramatic cliffs and panoramic desert valleys, then explore nearby sandstone canyons and take a short 4x4 loop to photograph hidden overlooks and petrified wood deposits with a picnic brunch amid the dunes.
After your sunrise rim hike, head to Thumamah Oasis Camp for a restorative brunch under shaded tents and a chance to sample grilled local dates and laban while swapping photos with fellow travelers. In the early afternoon, take a guided 4x4 and dune-bashing loop to explore the lesser-known limestone plateaus and visit Hidden Canyon Viewpoint, where a short scramble rewards you with secluded overlooks; finish with a calming falconry demonstration and mint tea at the camp as the light softens before evening activities.
As dusk deepens, return inland for a relaxed desert-to-dine experience at Qasr Al Hamra Camp, where a lantern-lit courtyard dinner features grilled lamb and mezze while local storytellers share Bedouin tales. After dinner, enjoy a short stargazing session with a guide from Riyadh Astronomy Nights-their telescopes and constellation narration make the vast desert sky a memorable capstone to your Edge of the World adventure.
Ease into your final day with a late, leisurely breakfast at Toki Café, savoring specialty coffee and freshly baked manakish before a gentle walk through the shaded palms of Al Nakheel Park where locals practice morning tai chi and families gather. Afterwards, visit the serene Riyadh Gallery Sculpture Garden for a quiet stroll among public artworks, then return to your hotel for a relaxed packing session and a final mint tea at Lobby Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh (or your hotel's equivalent) to reflect on the trip before check-out.
Spend a gentle afternoon wandering the leafy courtyards of Al Faisaliyah Mall-browse boutique shops, pick up last-minute souvenirs, and enjoy a light lunch at Paul Café with views of the distinctive glass tower. Then head to the peaceful Diplomatic Quarter Parks for a shaded stroll among sculptures and tiled pathways, finishing with a calming pot of mint tea and pastries at Café Bateel (DQ branch) while you confirm your airport transfer and savor the last hours in Riyadh.
For a calm final evening, enjoy a refined farewell dinner at Al Orjouan where live oud music and a menu of modern Arabian dishes create a leisurely atmosphere, followed by a digestif at Spazio 77 Rooftop to toast the trip with skyline views. Finish with a peaceful late-night walk through Salam Park's illuminated pathways and lakefront benches, perfect for reflecting on your Edge of the World adventure before your departure.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Al Malaz Park Café (breakfast) | SAR40 |
| Al Murabba Historical Palace grounds | Free |
| King Abdulaziz Historical Center (visitor desk / gardens / café) | Free |
| Al Masmak Fortress | SAR10 |
| Souq Al Zal (shopping / Arabic coffee stall) | SAR20 |
| Al Thumairi Street (promenade / photos) | Free |
| Najd Village Restaurant (dinner) | SAR120 |
| King Abdullah Park (evening walk) | Free |
| The Globe Lounge (rooftop coffee/shisha) | SAR60 |
| Diriyah At-Turaif District (guided tour) | SAR50 |
| National Museum of Saudi Arabia | SAR10 |
| Murabba Palace / Al Murabba Palace Annex (tour) | Free |
| Tamatim Café (late-lunch tasting) | SAR60 |
| Misk Art Institute (galleries) | Free |
| King Abdullah Financial District Park (stroll / coffee) | Free |
| Wadi Hanifah Promenade | Free |
| Al Nakheel Terrace Café (riverside tea) | SAR30 |
| Lusin Riyadh (dinner) | SAR150 |
| Sky Bridge Lounge (KAFC - nightcap / views) | SAR80 |
| King Abdulaziz Foundation (Darah) | Free |
| Al Zal Souq Extension (antiques/textiles) | SAR20 |
| Riyadh Artisans Centre (workshop/demo) | SAR75 |
| Souq Al Thumairi (shopping) | SAR20 |
| Naila Art Gallery (exhibitions / talk) | Free |
| Café Bateel (rooftop tea) | SAR40 |
| Misk Art Center (evening installations / performance) | SAR40 |
| Al Nakheel Boulevard (alfresco stroll / food trucks) | SAR30 |
| Izan Lounge & Terrace (dinner / live music) | SAR140 |
| Thumamah Farm Café (breakfast before drive) | SAR35 |
| Jebel Fihrayn (Edge of the World) rim hike (guided transfer/tour) | SAR350 |
| Thumamah Oasis Camp (brunch) | SAR80 |
| 4x4 dune-bashing loop / Hidden Canyon Viewpoint (guided activity) | SAR150 |
| Falconry demonstration (camp) | SAR30 |
| Qasr Al Hamra Camp (lantern-lit dinner) | SAR180 |
| Riyadh Astronomy Nights (stargazing session) | SAR100 |
| Toki Café (breakfast) | SAR45 |
| Al Nakheel Park (morning walk) | Free |
| Riyadh Gallery Sculpture Garden | Free |
| Lobby Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh (mint tea) | SAR60 |
| Al Faisaliyah Mall (browsing / Paul Café lunch) | SAR60 |
| Diplomatic Quarter Parks (stroll / Café Bateel DQ branch) | Free |
| Al Orjouan (farewell dinner) | SAR220 |
| Spazio 77 Rooftop (digestif / views) | SAR120 |
| Salam Park (evening walk) | Free |
| Estimated Total (per person) | SAR4015 |