Car & Van Hire - Riyadh

The majority of heritage attractions are in the districts of Batha and Deirah. You can start your tour of Old Riyadh in Alsafat Square, a large public square lined with palm trees and fountains. Adjacent to the square is Masmak Fortress, which also houses an archaeological museum.

A three-kilometre drive north of Deirah, you’ll find other examples of traditional Arab architecture, such as Murabba Palace, home to a heritage museum and photographic archive. The Palace is part of the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, a large complex consisting of several cultural venues, including Saudi Arabia’s National Museum. In the complex, you’ll also find six urban parks.

Another must-see is Turaif district, in the western outskirts of Riyadh. Turaif is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring the Arabian Horse Gallery and the restored remains of mudbrick palaces, homes and bathhouses, some of which date back to the 15th century.

New Riyadh begins at the intersection between Makka and King Fahd Road and extends for approximately 10 kilometres, along which you’ll find top landmarks like Al Faisaliyah Centre, one of Riyadh’s most iconic symbols. This ballpoint pen-shaped skyscraper has retail facilities and an observation deck.

There are several child-friendly attractions in Riyadh. If you’re in the Old Town, don’t miss Salam Park and Lake, popular with local families in the evenings. You can also take the family to Riyadh Zoo or spend a day at the city’s top theme parks, like Boulevard World and Winter Wonderland. The advantage of arranging a car or van hire in Riyadh is that you can go on a family day out and explore the Arabian desert and its wildlife at King Khalid natural reserve, where you can park and go on a desert safari or on a quad biking adventure.

When it comes to eating out, Riyadh offers a wide range of options, from fine dining Michelin-starred venues serving international cuisine to fast food chains and Arabian-style cafes and buffets.

You’ll find several modern and fully air-conditioned shopping malls along King Fahd Road and Olaya Street, including luxury venues like Gallery Mall and Centria. Other options for high-end shopping include Panorama Mall, Al Nakheel Mall and Kingdom Centre, an award-winning shopping venue built in a 99-storey skyscraper. If you’re interested in a traditional souq-style shopping experience, you’ll find it in the streets surrounding Alsafat Square, where merchants sell perfumes, textiles, spices and gold jewellery.

Popular events include the Jenadriyah festival, which celebrates the country’s heritage in the early spring, Riyad International Book Fair (March), Noor Festival, which brings light and art shows to various parts of the city, and Eid, a religious feast that marks the end of Ramadan.

Driving in Riyadh requires knowledge of defensive driving. Local driving habits can be somehow aggressive, as it’s common for drivers to tailgate, drift, ignore rights of way, rarely use indicators before turning and overtake at high speeds and on the wrong lane. Be extra vigilant when driving on the city’s ring roads, on roundabouts and when approaching motorway exits.

You should also be aware of the possibility of natural hazards that make driving dangerous, like dust storms that are common between February and July.

On the other hand, road quality is generally on par with Western standards, especially in the city’s main thoroughfares. For the most part, signs are in English and Arabic, and as of 2018, female travellers can rent and drive a car in Riyadh.

There are several ring roads in Riyadh city, whose names can be somehow misleading. The eastern ring road runs north to south, whereas the northern ring road crosses the city from east to west. The southern and western ring roads are rarely used by visitors. Other important thoroughfares within the city are Makkah Road and King Fahd Road, which provide access to Riyadh’s main business and commercial districts.

There are no toll roads in Saudi Arabia, but most parking within Riyadh is paid. It’s also possible to find street parking even in residential areas, but due to the city’s climate, you’ll probably want to park as close as possible to your destination. Shopping centres offer free parking and, in some cases, valet parking too.

Speed limits are enforced by cameras and are 120-140 km/h on motorways, 70 km/h on national roads and 50 km/h in built-up areas. Fines are waived if you exceed the limit by 10 km/h, but otherwise, they can be steep and are based on how fast you’re caught driving.

Please note that there’s no tolerance for drinking and driving. Doing so will lead to an eye-watering fine, an immediate driving ban, and can potentially have legal consequences, like deportation.