What are the Kingdom’s Best Museums?
When we hear the word “museum,” what comes to mind is usually exhibits showing the grand sweep of history housed in a magnificent old building. But of course, there’s so much more to them, too. As in most major cities, the Saudi cultural scene includes these beautiful museums that house priceless artifacts, but the story only begins there! Contemporary art galleries and grassroots pop-up exhibits take you into the heart of Saudis’ interaction with the past and visions for the future. Revolutionary new spaces are changing where and how art is made, and even how we perceive it.
So, whether you’re looking to be awed by treasures of the past or expand your horizons in a cultural scene unlike any other, we’ve got the answers to all your burning questions here!
Where can I get the big picture of Saudi history?
There’s no better place to start than the Saudi National Museum in the heart of historic Riyadh, with over 3,700 artifacts that tell the story of the Kingdom of Heritage.
Immerse yourself in the prehistoric world, and then wander on to the Arabian Kingdoms and the Pre-Islamic Era, where early inscriptions, striking sculpture and intricate jewelry from early Arab cultures are exhibited. You can also see some of the ancient coins, lamps, and ingenious architecture from the Islamic golden age, when the empires of this region stretched all the way to modern-day Spain!
The final stops are interactive exhibits about the early formation of the Kingdom, and brilliantly detailed models of the historic districts of Makkah and Medina at the Hajj & Holy Mosques exhibit.
Visit the Ministry of Culture’s website for a virtual tour!
Are the Kingdom’s palaces open to visitors?
Good question! Diriyah was the first Saudi capital and you can still see a magnificent complex of adobe-brick palaces in its At-Turaif district.
Salwa Palace, the largest in Diriyah, has been beautifully restored and today houses the Diriyah Museum. Here you can discover the story of modern Saudi’s formation, from a small sheikhdom in the center of the Arabian Peninsula to a nation that spans the Red Sea to the Arabian Gulf. You can link up with a tour guide who’ll take you through the rooms from which the Kingdom was ruled, and tell you stories of the priceless manuscripts, traditional costumes and weaponry on display.
I’m more into contemporary art, where can I see some of the best in Saudi?
Check out SAMoCA in the Jax District. The Saudi Arabian Museum of Contemporary Art is a thought-provoking space with local and international artists featured in multi-dimensional exhibitions that embrace music, video, light shows and storytelling. If you’re here in the spring, you might even catch the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, a celebration of the best of the genre.
And from November 30, the capital itself will glitter again during the Noor Riyadh Light Art Festival. The largest event of its kind, for two months public spaces, buildings and galleries will be awash with vibrant colors, sculpture, light installations and interactive experiences that are a true feast for the senses.
Be sure to check out the Misk Art Institute to see what’s on in the contemporary art world, with year-round showcases and exhibitions to catch!
I’m fascinated by Arabic calligraphy, where can I explore it?
Calligraphy is an integral part of Saudi art, with deep cultural and spiritual resonance, so you can find collections in most cultural spaces. Few places can rival the collection at the House of Islamic Art in Jeddah though, with one of the most carefully curated exhibits in the country. Everything from pottery, jewelry and goblets, to tapestries, paintings, and manuscripts, not to mention life-size recreations of famous carved doors can be found here, in beautifully lit collections with plenty of information.
What about architecture?
Few places compare to Ithra, both a cultural and architectural gem of the Kingdom’s Eastern Province. You can see the space-age design from miles away; it is comprised of 375 kilometers (233 miles!) of stainless-steel pipes which wrap around the interior – not only do they look cool, but they lessen the sun’s heat and reduce Ithra’s carbon footprint. The different shapes that make up the architecture of the Ithra complex symbolize diversity, while the way in which they lean on each other symbolizes solidarity. After you’ve taken in the lush gardens and the one-of-a-kind trapezoidal mosque, make your way to the main building, where the art begins as soon as you set foot in the lobby.
You could easily spend a day just taking in the glorious skylight which bathes all four levels of the library, the striking contemporary murals in the café, the Source of Light Sculpture, or the towering hedges in the Cultural Oasis. Do check what’s on though, because this impressive complex also hosts five changing exhibits, six galleries, a cinema, and an opera-style theater. Oh, and for all you STEM enthusiasts out there, make sure not to miss the Energy Exhibit.
Don’t just take our word for it, Ithra offers a virtual tour!
Whether you’re drawn to history, art, or architecture, Saudi Arabia’s museums offer a rich exploration of the Kingdom’s evolving culture. These destinations are more than just museums—they are windows into the heart of Saudi Arabia’s vibrant past and dynamic future.
