Skip to main content
MumExpat

Family outings

Family outings in Riyadh

Riyadh is lived outdoors from October to April: valleys and parks, Diriyah's mud-brick lanes, winter festivals and desert on the city's doorstep. In summer, families retreat to museums, libraries and indoor play parks. Here are our addresses, checked against official sources.

Verified on 30 October 2026

Parks, valleys and the zoo

Riyadh is turning green at speed: the Wadi Hanifa valley, the gardens of the historic centre, the zoo and the first stretches of the Sports Boulevard already offer plenty to picnic, cycle and run. From October to April, life is outdoors; in summer, go out early in the morning or after sunset.

Good to know

  • Wadi Hanifa runs 120 km through the capital: it is Riyadh's largest natural park, with shaded trails, lakes, picnic and barbecue areas, open without booking. Source
  • The Sports Boulevard, a 135 km east-west corridor, is opening in phases: the Promenade, Al Rimal Sports Park and part of Wadi Hanifa are already open, with completion planned for 2029. Source
  • The Green Riyadh programme plans 7.5 million trees by 2030 and major new parks, including King Abdulaziz Park in the north, linked to the metro. Source
  • Riyadh Zoo, in Al Malaz, is home to more than 1,300 animals; book tickets ahead and come on a weekday or early in the morning to avoid crowds. Source

Addresses

  • Wadi Hanifa

    Park

    Diriyah et ouest de Riyad

    Lakes, a dam and Al Ulayb Park, a football pitch and cafés along the valley: the big Friday nature outing.

    Website Source

  • Parc Al Watan

    Park

    Centre historique du roi Abdulaziz, Al Murabba

    In the historic centre, around the water tower: a large model map of the kingdom to tour by boat, water play and family areas; open daily from 4pm, paid entry.

    Website Source

  • Zoo de Riyad

    Park

    Al Malaz

    More than 1,300 animals in six areas, gardens and a lake: a classic with little ones, tickets to book.

    Website Source

  • Parc Al Bujairi

    Park

    Diriyah

    A palm oasis with lawns and lakes at the foot of At-Turaif, with traditional food stalls: ideal in the late afternoon.

    Website Source

  • Sports Boulevard

    Park

    Cycle lanes, trails, play areas and picnic zones along a green corridor opening in phases.

    Website Source

  • Sands Sports Park

    Park

    Sud-est de l'aéroport King Khalid

    More than 45 km of road and mountain-bike trails in the dunes, bike rental on site; for sporty families.

    Website Source

Go further

Museums and historic sites

Riyadh's historic heart can be seen in a day: the National Museum, Murabba Palace and Masmak Fort are minutes apart, and Diriyah, the kingdom's birthplace, is twenty minutes away. Little ones love the mud-brick lanes.

Good to know

  • The King Abdulaziz Historical Center brings together the National Museum, Murabba Palace, the mosque and the King Abdulaziz Public Library, with gardens and walkways; it is served by the National Museum metro station. Source
  • At-Turaif, in Diriyah, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010: Salwa Palace, a mosque and exhibitions on life in the first Saudi state, in one of the world's largest mud-brick cities. Source
  • Opening hours change during Ramadan and holidays: check the day before, and book if Diriyah requires it for At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace. Source

Addresses

  • Musée national d'Arabie saoudite

    Museum

    Centre historique du roi Abdulaziz, Al Murabba

    From the Earth's formation to the modern state, interactive halls and the museum garden: the best introduction to the country for children.

    Website Source

  • Palais Murabba

    Museum

    Al Murabba

    The first palace built for King Abdulaziz, in mud brick, around a large courtyard; free entry.

    Website Source

  • Fort de Masmak

    Museum

    Ad Dirah, centre-ville

    The mud-brick fort of the 1902 capture of Riyadh, with a spear tip still lodged in the gate: a story children love.

    Website Source

  • At-Turaif, Diriyah

    Museum

    Diriyah, nord-ouest de Riyad

    UNESCO site: Salwa Palace, the Diriyah Gallery, exhibitions on social and military life, along restored lanes.

    Website Source

  • Black Gold Museum

    Museum

    An immersive, interactive museum on the history of oil and energy, for children curious about science.

    Website Source

Libraries and reading in French

Riyadh has no public French-language media library as in other capitals: reading in French happens through EFIR's libraries for pupils and books brought back from France. The new Saudi public libraries, on the other hand, have lovely children's areas.

Good to know

  • At EFIR, the BCD library welcomes nursery and primary pupils for a weekly loan of picture books, novels, comics and magazines; the CDI is for middle- and high-school students. Source
  • The Al Taawun House of Culture, in King Salman Oasis, is a new-generation public library, with an interactive children's library, a play area and free entry. Source
  • The King Abdulaziz Public Library has a dedicated children's library for ages 4 to 18, with science and arts sections and enrichment programmes. Source
  • The Institut français d'Arabie saoudite, created in 2025, and the Alliance française, present in Riyadh, run meetings and cultural events in French: follow their announcements. Source

Addresses

  • BCD et CDI de l'EFIR

    Library

    An Nada

    The school's French-language libraries, for pupils only; stories to listen to online for the youngest.

    Website Source

  • Maison de la culture, bibliothèque publique d'Al Taawun

    Library

    Oasis du roi Salman, Al Taawun

    Interactive children's library on the ground floor, café, outdoor play area; free entry.

    Website Source

  • Bibliothèque publique du roi Abdulaziz

    Library

    Centre historique, Al Murabba

    A large public library with a children's library and a young readers' club.

    Website Source

  • Bibliothèque nationale du roi Fahd

    Library

    Entre King Fahad Road et Olaya Street

    The national research library, with striking architecture and free entry; better for teenagers and parents, with its own metro station.

    Website Source

Activities, clubs and outings in French

French-speaking community life revolves around the school, Riyad Accueil and the UFE; for letting off steam, indoor play centres and Qiddiya's big theme parks take over, especially in summer.

Good to know

  • EFIR offers after-school activities from nursery to final year (sport, gymnastics, yoga, chess, swimming), with sign-up each semester; they stop during Ramadan, except swimming. Source
  • The Maison des Français - Riyad Accueil has organised coffees, cultural visits and desert outings for newcomers since 1981. Source
  • UFE Riyadh and Al Khobar runs family events all year round: galette des rois, a pétanque tournament, an Easter egg hunt. Source
  • At Qiddiya, about 40 minutes from Riyadh, Six Flags and the Aquarabia water park have areas and rides for younger children. Source

Addresses

  • Maison des Français - Riyad Accueil

    Activity

    Riyadh's French-speaking welcome association, a FIAFE member: first contact by email, then the members' mutual-help group.

    Website Source

  • UFE Riyad et Al Khobar

    Activity

    Family events and mutual help among French residents of Saudi Arabia, for members.

    Website Source

  • Activités périscolaires de l'EFIR

    Activity

    An Nada

    Sport, arts and games after class for the school's pupils, sign-up each semester.

    Website Source

  • SuperPark Riyadh

    Activity

    An indoor active play park from Finland: trampolines, obstacle courses, climbing walls; perfect in summer.

    Website Source

  • Sky Bridge du Kingdom Centre

    Activity

    Kingdom Centre, Olaya

    The glass bridge on the 99th floor, 300 m up, to see the whole city; a children's play centre in the same tower.

    Website Source

  • Six Flags Qiddiya City

    Activity

    Qiddiya, sud-ouest de Riyad

    A theme park with six lands and 28 rides, including family rides, in the heart of the Tuwaiq Mountains.

    Website Source

  • Aquarabia

    Activity

    Qiddiya, sud-ouest de Riyad

    A themed water park with family pools, water play areas and a wave pool.

    Website Source

Through the seasons and holidays

In Riyadh, the calendar follows the heat and the Hijri calendar: a mild, festive winter, a scorching summer lived indoors, and Ramadan and Eid moving forward about eleven days each year.

Good to know

  • From mid-June to mid-September, temperatures hover around 45°C: go out early or in the evening, and stay indoors. From mid-December to mid-March, mild days and cool nights are ideal for camping and outings. Source
  • Four public holidays: Founding Day on 22 February, National Day on 23 September, Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha, which follow the lunar calendar. During Eid, many shops close for three days. Source
  • During Ramadan, eating, drinking or smoking in public during the day is forbidden: plan snacks and water bottles at home or at school, and more covering clothes. Source
  • Every winter, Riyadh Season livens up the city: many zones of shows, concerts, entertainment and dining, with tickets to book. Source

Addresses

  • Riyadh Season

    Activity

    The capital's big winter festival, open to all ages; programme and tickets online.

    Website Source

  • Boulevard World et KAFD en hiver

    Activity

    The winter outdoor destinations, with markets, restaurants and terraces; tickets to book for events.

    Website Source

  • Founding Day

    Activity

    Toute la ville

    On 22 February, the founding of the first Saudi state is celebrated: traditional costumes, ardah dancing, Saudi coffee and jareesh; children love dressing up.

    Website Source

  • Camping à Rawdhat Nourah

    Activity

    Camping season starts in winter: green meadows in winter and spring, under environmental rangers' protection.

    Website Source

Go further

Getaways under two hours

The weekend falls on Friday and Saturday. The desert starts at the city gates: cliffs, caves, dunes and mud-brick villages are reached by car, ideally a 4x4 and in a group.

Good to know

  • For the desert, go by 4x4, in a group or with a guide: there are no services on site and the mobile network can drop. Take water, walking shoes and something warm for the evening. Source
  • The best season runs from autumn to spring: after the rains, meadows and seasonal lakes turn green, perfect for picnics and camping. Source
  • For camping gear, the big supermarkets (Tamimi, Carrefour) and traditional souks such as Al Owais have everything you need. Source

Addresses

  • Edge of the World

    Nord-ouest de Riyad

    Cliffs over 1,100 m high at the end of the Tuwaiq range, about a hundred kilometres north-west; a 4x4 is essential and start early.

    Website Source

  • Parc national d'Al Kharrarah

    Al Muzahimiyah

    Golden dunes, a seasonal lake after the rains, acacias: camping, barbecue and walks about 70 km west.

    Website Source

  • Grotte de Heet

    Réserve King Abdulaziz, près d'Al Kharj

    A limestone cave with a crystal-clear underground lake, south-east near Al Kharj; a geology outing for older children.

    Website Source

  • Thadiq

    Gouvernorat de Thadiq

    An old town of mud-brick houses no higher than two storeys, peaceful, about 165 km north-west.

    Website Source

  • Qiddiya

    Sud-ouest de Riyad

    The new entertainment city in the Tuwaiq Mountains, about 40 minutes away: Six Flags and Aquarabia for a full day.

    Website Source

Go further

A place has closed, something has changed? Tell us: the mums of Riyadh will thank you.

Sources for this page

The public pages these landmarks come from. The official website always prevails.

  1. 1 Visit Saudi, Riyad
  2. 2 Royal Commission for Riyadh City, Green Riyadh
  3. 3 Riyadh Season
  4. 4 École française internationale de Riyad, activités périscolaires
  5. 5 Ambassade de France, coopération culturelle
  6. 6 FIAFE, Riyad Accueil

Get updates to the Riyadh guide

Verified addresses, official sources, school-year dates: we write when the Riyadh guide changes, never more than once a week.

Other sections of the Riyadh guide

Report a change

A place has closed, a number has changed, something is no longer right? Please tell us: we check and fix the Riyadh guide.

What is going on?