Weekend in Riyadh
 

All, I will appreciate if someone can help with some advise regarding what to see on a weekend in Riyadh. I've searched and there is not much available in terms of such information.

I will be on business trip and will be traveling over the weekend from Dubai to Saudi Arabia (RUH) and I need to make decision where to spend the weekend (based on what I can do in either country). Although I am more or less aware on Dubai, SA is complete mystery to me.

If I will spend the weekend in Riyadh, I will most likely use Emirates flight arriving Thursday at 18:45, so will have 2 full days (Friday and Saturday).

Based on the hardships described by others to get SA tourist visa this visit will probably be my only opportunity to explore SA.

AX

That's because there's nothing to see. I certainly agree with you that you should take the opportunity to explore KSA if you have the chance. I've spent a bit of time in Riyadh and can't recommend anything specific -- I would just wander around and see the somewhat different (by Western standards) aspects of daily life. There are the modern amenities like Kingdom and Faisaliyah towers and the shopping malls to which they are connected, which are a bit interesting for their local quirks, but I would prefer to see the street life, such as it is, and have a tea at a local cafe or two.

Even worse on Friday. There is utterly nothing open until mid-afternoon. Though Saturday is a work day so you should see life as normal.

The Four Seasons is at the level you would expect and has a nice pool area, or the Rosewood hotel seems interesting (I've been but never stayed). Both are well-located. All of the major chains (InterContinental, Marriott, Sheraton, Radisson Blu) are there but a bit ordinary -- generally dated properties with uninspired amenities. The InterCon has a nine-hole golf course.

Sorry I can't help more. Perhaps a local could at least give you recommendations for a restaurant or specific neighborhood to check.

mecabq, thanks for answering.
I am not really into city tours - I'd rather go see anything like nature reserve, historic landmarks etc.
Found a tour agent that offers day tours from Riyadh - http://www.jawlahtours.com/tour_listing.aspx. They list several options of a day tour, wonder which one would be more interesting.

Seen nice reviews for Four Seasons, unfortunately Ritz Carlton is where I will be staying.

AX

I've been to Riyadh several times. I think that Discover Riyadh option 2, sound like a good day trip. You'll see the original home town of the al Saud family and the museum. I assume you're not going I'm the summer when it's blistering hot.

KSA changed their weekend last year; the weekend is now Friday and Saturday.