Riyadh route: Metro, Financial District and Boulevard City
Explore modern Riyadh's transformation across a 45.8 km route connecting the Riyadh Metro System, King Abdullah Financial District, and Boulevard City. The journey showcases Saudi Arabia's rapid development through contemporary infrastructure and entertainment districts, while also touching on cultural landmarks like the Old Antiques Market and Al-Masmat Castle.
- Distance
- 45.8 km
- Duration
- 9 h 10 min
- Mode
- route
- Start
- Riyadh Metro System
- End
- Mecca
- Stops
- 6
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Riyadh Metro System — Recently opened metro system (one year old at time of filming) with aesthetically impressive stations including mirrored bowl design; symbol of rapid modernization
- King Abdullah Financial District — Major financial hub visible from Kingdom Tower observation point
- Boulevard City — New cultural and leisure district representing modern Riyadh entertainment offerings
- Old Antiques Market — Historic traditional market contrasting modern boulevard; ancient marketplace near Al-Masmat Castle
- Al-Masmat Castle — Historic castle adjacent to antiques market; represents traditional Saudi heritage
- Mecca — Holiest city of Islam; birthplace of Islam and center of Hajj pilgrimage; represents spiritual Saudi Arabia
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Riyadh Metro system opened one year ago with family and single passenger carriages. Family carriages are for men traveling with families; otherwise use singles carriage.
- Tip
- Visit Kingdom Tower for city skyline views from the sky bridge observation deck. Shopping mall with designer brands, cinema, and dining at base of tower.
- Food
- Boulevard City has restaurants and American fast food chains. Features famous fountain show with color-changing lights similar to Dubai's Burj Khalifa.
- Timing
- Antiques Souk (Suk Masma) auction market operates every weekend. Historic 100-year-old market near Al-Masmat Castle with traditional items like silver daggers selling for 1,500 Saudi riyals (~$400 USD).
- Tip
- Diriyah is the birthplace of the Saudi state with original mud brick buildings. Shows what Riyadh looked like over 100 years ago before oil discovery and modernization.
- Transport
- You need a 4x4 vehicle to visit Edge of the World due to very bumpy desert terrain. Accessible via group tours.
- Tip
- Riyadh is car-centric with huge highways connecting low-rise buildings in organized grid structure. Similar layout to American cities.
- Timing
- Cinemas were banned in Saudi Arabia until recently. Kingdom Tower mall now has cinema, reflecting rapid societal changes from Vision 2030 reforms.
Video on this route
VISITING SAUDIA ARABIA WAS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED!