Diriyah, where the Saudi state began
Diriyah lies on the banks of Wadi Hanifah, north-west of Riyadh, some 20 km from the centre of the capital. Founded in 1446 by Mani’ Al-Muraydi, it became in 1727 the capital of the Saudi state founded that year by Imam Muhammad bin Saud.
The At-Turaif district, built of mud brick in the Najdi style, was its citadel. UNESCO inscribed it on the World Heritage List in 2010 as “At-Turaif District in ad-Dir’iyah”, the second Saudi site to be listed, after Al-Hijr. Inside are Salwa Palace, the seat of power of the Saudi state of that time, At-Turaif Mosque and, according to Diriyah, six museums.
Visiting At-Turaif: opening hours and access
At-Turaif’s opening hours vary from one period to another. At the end of September 2026, Diriyah announced daily opening from 5 pm to midnight. Check them on Diriyah’s website before fixing your departure time: we plan the journeys around them.
Before your visit, check on the Diriyah website whether an access pass is required for At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace: passes are sold only through Diriyah’s official channels. A guided tour can be booked through the link in your ticket confirmation, or at the At-Turaif visitor centre.
For a group of nine people or more, Diriyah asks for the visit to be booked at least one week ahead; group visits take place from Saturday to Thursday, between 10 am and 2 pm.
Your chauffeur at Diriyah: drop-off and pick-up
According to Diriyah, visitors arriving with a chauffeur are set down at the Bujairi drop-off point, and that is where they meet their driver again when they leave. Your chauffeur leaves you there, then waits or comes back at the agreed time, depending on what the quote provides.
Diriyah is still being developed, and some access roads are closed or diverted for a while; Diriyah publishes these closures on its website. Your chauffeur takes them into account when planning the route.
At-Turaif is explored on foot, through its mud-brick lanes. Diriyah asks that dress and appearance suit a public space and respect the culture and values of the Kingdom; comfortable shoes are also a good idea.
Bujairi, Wadi Hanifah and the JAX District
Looking across to At-Turaif, Bujairi Terrace brings together more than twenty restaurants and cafés, above Wadi Hanifah. Book your table directly with the restaurant and give us the time: your chauffeur plans the arrival around it. For other bookings, see our concierge page.
Wadi Hanifah, which runs alongside Diriyah, lends itself to a walk. The JAX District, opened in 2021, hosts exhibitions and artistic events throughout the year. For a reception or an event in Diriyah, see our chauffeurs for your events.
Planning your evening in Diriyah
Two highlights make a better outing than a crowded schedule. A few combinations that work well:
- At-Turaif late in the day, then dinner on Bujairi Terrace, and back to your hotel at the agreed time.
- Historic Riyadh during the day, from Al Masmak Palace to the National Museum, then Diriyah in the evening.
- A stop in Diriyah on your arrival day, on the way from the airport, if the timing and your luggage allow.
For an evening or a day, the chauffeur and the car stay at your disposal for the time agreed in the quote: see chauffeur by the hour. Tell us the date, the pick-up address and time, the number of passengers, anything already booked (a table, a guided tour) and when you would like to be back. Vehicles are provided by the Federation’s members according to their availability. Let’s talk about your visit, or use our Contact page.