Overview
The National Museum of Saudi Arabia is the country's principal museum, covering the Arabian Peninsula from prehistory to the modern state.
Why visit National Museum of Saudi Arabia
It is arranged as a sequence of halls that run in order, so it is possible to walk the whole span - geology, pre-Islamic Arabia, the life of the Prophet, the successive Saudi states, and the unification - in one visit without doubling back.
It sits inside the King Abdulaziz Historical Centre in central Riyadh, on the same grounds as Al Masmak, which makes the two a single half-day rather than two separate outings.
This is the best first stop in the country for anyone who wants the rest of the trip to make sense: the sites at AlUla, Diriyah and Najran are all easier to read after it.
Nearby: Riyadh, Al Masmak Palace.
From the Earth to the moon, and from the prehistoric ages to the modern ages, the hallways of the Saudi National Museum take you on an adventure that transcends time and space. You will witness artistic and historical evidence in the heart of Riyadh in Al Murabba neighborhood near King Abdulaziz palace.
Tours that include National Museum of Saudi Arabia
Riyadh, AlUla, Madinah & Jeddah
7 days, 6 nights. Riyadh, AlUla, Madinah and Jeddah, taking in Hegra, At-Turaif and the old quarter of Al-Balad.
Riyadh & AlUla
6 days, 5 nights. Two nights in Riyadh for the founding sites, three in AlUla for Hegra and Dadan.
Riyadh & Jeddah
6 days, 5 nights. Three nights in Riyadh with Diriyah and the Edge of the World, two in Jeddah.
Riyadh & Al Ahsa
6 days, 5 nights. Riyadh and Diriyah for the founding of the Saudi state, then the Al Ahsa oasis in the Eastern Province.
Riyadh & Abha
6 days, 5 nights. The Tuwaiq escarpment and Wadi Hanifa from Riyadh, then the green Asir highlands at Abha.
Riyadh, AlUla & Tabuk
8 days, 7 nights. Riyadh and the Edge of the World, three nights in AlUla, then the far north-west at Tabuk.
Travel Tips Before Visiting
- Listed as suitable for ages: All.
- National Museum of Saudi Arabia: You don't need tickets to enter
- The tourism authority lists it as suited to Museum, Families, Friends.
National Museum of Saudi Arabia is in Riyadh.
Photograph: Gryffindor, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Plan your visit to National Museum of Saudi Arabia
Want to include National Museum of Saudi Arabia in your trip? Browse our journeys or ask for a custom plan.
- Riyadh Shared destination context
- Al Masmak Palace Shared destination context
- Edge of the World Shared destination context
- Wadi Hanifa Shared destination context
- Abha Tourism relevance match
- Al Ahsa Tourism relevance match