Riyadh’s History and Al Masmak - Self-Guided Walking Tours

Join a local historian and see Riyadh like you never have before with these engaging, historical and high-quality audio walking tours!

Our first audio tour will explore Al Masmak Fortress, as we learn about the origins of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Royal Family, as well as the secret tales that live in this key sightseeing spot.

The second audio tour covers Historical Riyadh, as we wander around Al Safat Square, just outside Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Grand Mosque, as well as the Souq AlZzal Market and Ath Thumayry Street. These iconic key attractions are a perfect example of just how much Riyadh has changed over the past 100 years and are a clear example of why this city has become one of the most developed in the world! 

Together, we’ll embark on this epic adventure through time, learning about the historic buildings, mysteries and secret stories that made Riyadh the modern city that it is today!

Note: This is a self-guided audio walking tour and does not include entrance tickets

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Al Masmak Fortress, 3153 Al Thumairi St, Riyadh 12652 Saudi Arabia

Explore Al Masmak Fortress, a mudbrick fort that played a fundamental role in the unification of Saudi Arabia. As we weave through Al Masmak Fortress, or as some people call it Al Masmak Palace, we’ll learn about Riyadh’s origin as a capital city back in the 1820s, the Recapture of Riyadh in 1902 and, finally, Al Masmak’s current role as a place of remembrance in 21st century Saudi Arabia.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Alsafat Square, شارع الثميري، الديرة، الرياض 12652،، Ad Dirah, Riyadh 12634, Saudi Arabia

Start the tour outside Al Masmak Fortress as we learn about the origins of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Royal Family.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Grand Mosque, Al Imam Turki Ibn Abdullah Ibn Muhammad, Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Wander around Al Safat Square, just outside Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Grand Mosque, a perfect example of just how much Riyadh has changed over the past 100 years.


Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Al Masmak Fortress, 3153 Al Thumairi St, Riyadh 12652 Saudi Arabia

As we approach Al Masmak’s gate, learn about the story of Abdulaziz’s recapture of Al Masmak Fortress back in 1902 where 63 men were tasked with taking on an entire city! Hear how Abdulaziz reunified the Arabian peninsula into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Enter Al Masmak’s courtyard as we hear what this structure has been used for during the past 100 years, from weapon storage to becoming a prison. Get a closer look at some of the design choices that have gone into the building, like how the second floor was designed as a maze so invaders, or escaping prisoners, wouldn’t be able to work their way around.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Al Masmak Fortress, 3153 Al Thumairi St, Riyadh 12652 Saudi Arabia

Head into the First Gallery to get a closer look at Saudi Arabia’s transformation over the past 300 years. Notice how fiercely contested the Western part of the Arabian Peninsula has been over recent centuries. This is because of its religious importance – it’s where the holy lands of Makkah and Madinah are located.

Look at a painting depicting King Abdulaziz’s 1902 recapture in the Second Gallery, then take a moment to look at the weapons in this room that match the weapons in this painting. When you’re ready, watch a short film inside the museum that depicts the 1902 recapture.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Al Masmak Fortress, 3153 Al Thumairi St, Riyadh 12652 Saudi Arabia

Visit the Pioneers Gallery which shows the names of those 63 men that travelled with King Abdulaziz. 10 are from the Saudi Royal Family and the rest are from different families from around the Arabian Peninsula. This room was opened at the end of a ceremony where the sons of these 63 pioneers were each awarded honoree medals.

Learn about traditional clothes worn across the Arabian Peninsula. For instance, the thoub, a traditional ankle length garment with long sleeves similar to a robe or tunic that’s predominantly worn by men. It’s usually made of cotton but can be woven with heavier materials like sheep’s wool for the winter. You’ve also got the Shumaq, which is the red scarf in the head, and the Taqiyyah, which is the hat underneath the Shumaq. Then there’s the Eqal, which is the back circular object on top of the Shumaq to hold it.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Al Masmak Palace Museum, 6937 Al Thumairi St, 3153, Riyadh 12634 Saudi Arabia

Finish the first part of the tour in the Final Gallery and have look at a model of Al Masmak Fortress. Learn how the crown is passed in the Saud Royal family, often handed to whoever is best placed to rule, not just according to direct bloodlines. Make sure to ask a representative of the museum about the temporary galleries and if there are any events in the area.


Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Al Masmak Fortress, 3153 Al Thumairi St, Riyadh 12652 Saudi Arabia

Begin the second 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.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Al Safarat, Riyadh Saudi Arabia

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.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Qayasriat Al Kitab Riyadh, JPJ6+CR4, Ad Dirah, Riyadh 12634, Saudi Arabia

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.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Grand Mosque, Al Imam Turki Ibn Abdullah Ibn Muhammad, Riyadh Saudi Arabia

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.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Riyadh, Riyadh, Riyadh Province

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.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Al Thumairi Street, Al Thumairi St, Ad Dirah, Riyadh 12634, Saudi Arabia

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!

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Riyadh, Riyadh, Riyadh Province

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.

Duration: 10 minutes

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.