Diriyah

Diriyah, also known as Dereyeh and Dariyya, is a Saudi Arabian town on the outskirts of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Diriyah was the birthplace of the Saudi royal family and the capital of the Emirate of Diriyah from 1744 until 1818 when the first Saudi dynasty reigned. Today, the town serves as the administrative center of the Diriyah Governorate, which comprises the villages of Uyayna, Jubayla, and Al-Ammariyyah, among others, and is located inside the Ar Riyad Province.

The ancient desert city of Diriyah, situated in the verdant oasis of Wadi Hanifa just outside Riyadh, is one of the most spectacular sights in the kingdom. It was formerly a cultural hotspot, a historic crossroads for pilgrims and commerce over the centuries, and the royal dynasty's ancestral seat. Today, museums in Diriyah, such as the magnificent Salwa Palace, dive into the citadel's illustrious past. Restaurants and coffee shops dotted around its beautiful mud-brick architecture and bordering its palm-fringed avenues, bow to heritage with Najdi meals such gereesh bil laban, cracked wheat cooked in a yogurt sauce.

Location: Ar Riyad Province, Saudi Arabia
Entrance fee: free
Best time to visit: mid-afternoon - after the sunset
Hours: Mondays - Sundays: 24 hours