National Museum
National Museum
4.5
Monday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
2:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
The history of Islam is the major focus of this museum, which consists of 10 galleries, courtyards and a section that houses fancy cars and other belongings of the founding king of Saudi Arabia.
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See what travelers are saying
- NILADRI BIHARI NAYAKGurugram (Gurgaon), India308 contributionsExperience History and Heritage of Saudi in 3 hoursOne of the best museum I have seen so far. Thanks to Technology like AR VR. Immersive experience, light and sound, guidance. Free entry. Don't forget to buy something from gift shopVisited December 2023Traveled soloWritten December 9, 2023
- Jeff KPittsburgh, Pennsylvania2,344 contributionsImpressive MuseumThis is a very large museum that does a good job of explaining the history of Saudi Arabia and the Muslim faith. At first I thought it was a little odd that they would focus so much on religion but it makes a lot of sense when you consider how the closely intertwined the country and religion are. I spent about 90 minutes here and learned a lot, particularly about the Muslim faith.Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 12, 2024
- mwhamburgerSeattle, Washington836 contributionsa well laid out museum that helps you gain lot of insights into the history and cultureplans to spend at least a couple of hours here and you will learn a lot. On display is a skeleton of a Platybelodon and Ichthyosaur; very interesting also the huge meteorite that was found in the Wabar crater. You will learn about the pre 14 pre Islamic Arabian kindoms on the Arabian Peninsular 5 BC - 700 AD. The overall collection is marvelous. The outside gardens are also worth visiting and enjoyingVisited January 2024Traveled with friendsWritten February 1, 2024
- BimaAtmaja23Riyadh, Saudi Arabia96 contributionsNice!Great place to visit with family, students, teens. The place is clean and well organized, the staff is very welcoming and warm. The park is really good place to relax in the afternoon. Must visit if you are in Riyadh!Visited January 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 16, 2024
- Dima AbdelhakNottingham, United Kingdom15 contributionsHighly recommendedWhat a great place to visit. We visited with our 8 years daughter last month and what a rich educational display this museum provided.. reading and learning about the history of Saudi Arabic since the beginning of time til the modern days. I found it very informative as I can read and understand Arabic but have to translate and explain to my daughter who doesn’t understand Arabic very well which made her loose interest at the end but anytime she finds anything written in English she will read it and discuss it with us. There were very good short clips about the history of Saudi but they were in Arabic. It will be great if you can provide an English version as well for non Arabic speakers which they were the majority of the visitors I’ve seen that day.Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 24, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
714 reviews
Excellent
369
Very good
282
Average
50
Poor
9
Terrible
5
WMBandit
Shanghai, China2,062 contributions
Jan 2020
Good attraction to learn about the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Spacious, informative and close to Masmak Fortress, the National Museum is divided into many halls in chronological order which gives visitors a walk through history from ancient times to now. Friednly staff and nice layout. Information pamphlet would be great for the future.
Written February 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irshad Ismail
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia80 contributions
Sep 2021
During my 3 decades of living in Riyadh, this is my second trip to the national museum of Riyadh. Though my first visit was around 15 years ago, now things have improved very much. The reception was courteous and guided through the pace with a booklet. Entrance is free. Nice, clean and specious. A large meteorite found in the empty quarter of the Saudi Arabian desert is displayed at the entrance.
Museum exhibits everything from culture, art and from Stone Age to replicas of the buildings, artifacts of all kinds. Can explore Arabian prehistory in all levels from pre-Islamic era. A good 3-4 hours is sufficient. Open on Fridays from 4 to 11 P.M. Other days check before you arrive. Being weekend only a handful of people so you take your own time to go through and read each artifact. Islamic culture is displayed on the second floor. Outside the fortress is also worth exploring. Plenty of parking and space for the children. Overall a very good environment. Everyone must visit at least once if you are in town.
Museum exhibits everything from culture, art and from Stone Age to replicas of the buildings, artifacts of all kinds. Can explore Arabian prehistory in all levels from pre-Islamic era. A good 3-4 hours is sufficient. Open on Fridays from 4 to 11 P.M. Other days check before you arrive. Being weekend only a handful of people so you take your own time to go through and read each artifact. Islamic culture is displayed on the second floor. Outside the fortress is also worth exploring. Plenty of parking and space for the children. Overall a very good environment. Everyone must visit at least once if you are in town.
Written September 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marycoons
Hanover, MN269 contributions
Jul 2023
This was a fabulous museum and very interesting from the prehistoric elephant that used to exist in Saudi to the history of Arabic writing systems and everything in between. I definitely recommend visiting (allow yourself 2.5 hours so you have time to explore the many park areas surrounding the museum if you have the opportunity to visit Riyadh.
As an American who only knows English, there is English everywhere!
As an American who only knows English, there is English everywhere!
Written July 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Masood K
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania1,468 contributions
Feb 2022
I say clean, because it is very well kept museum and crisp, because they have marked the floor with arrows, so a visitor knows how to move around in the museum and see everything, without missing out on any thing.
It really educates the visitor with regard to Arabian History and Islamic history, with some original artifacts, that takes you back in time.
Once should visit this museum to get an insight into the Arabian culture, clothing, lifestyle, etc.
One of the interesting aspect is indulging visitors into trying their hands on water colour painting, by giving an empty paper cup to paint with paints provided by the museum. An excellent Idea.
Keep it Up
It really educates the visitor with regard to Arabian History and Islamic history, with some original artifacts, that takes you back in time.
Once should visit this museum to get an insight into the Arabian culture, clothing, lifestyle, etc.
One of the interesting aspect is indulging visitors into trying their hands on water colour painting, by giving an empty paper cup to paint with paints provided by the museum. An excellent Idea.
Keep it Up
Written March 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah W
United Kingdom10 contributions
Feb 2022 • Family
Free museum. We had a few issues finding the entrance (it's off the park with water running through it, not at the front of the building).
The good stuff - inside is a lovely little museum with welcoming staff. Well laid out with downstairs being the land and human development of the Arabian peninsula over millennia. I loved this area. Upstairs covers Islam, Saudi and the Saud family. Most information was in Arabic and English.
Could be improved - Sadly no cafe for lunch (maybe due to Covid). I would have enjoyed seeing some Arabian artworks, more physical exhibits in each area, and a deeper dive into some areas (eg meanings of stone carvings).
The good stuff - inside is a lovely little museum with welcoming staff. Well laid out with downstairs being the land and human development of the Arabian peninsula over millennia. I loved this area. Upstairs covers Islam, Saudi and the Saud family. Most information was in Arabic and English.
Could be improved - Sadly no cafe for lunch (maybe due to Covid). I would have enjoyed seeing some Arabian artworks, more physical exhibits in each area, and a deeper dive into some areas (eg meanings of stone carvings).
Written February 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dima Abdelhak
Nottingham, UK15 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
What a great place to visit. We visited with our 8 years daughter last month and what a rich educational display this museum provided.. reading and learning about the history of Saudi Arabic since the beginning of time til the modern days. I found it very informative as I can read and understand Arabic but have to translate and explain to my daughter who doesn’t understand Arabic very well which made her loose interest at the end but anytime she finds anything written in English she will read it and discuss it with us. There were very good short clips about the history of Saudi but they were in Arabic. It will be great if you can provide an English version as well for non Arabic speakers which they were the majority of the visitors I’ve seen that day.
Written August 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bashar Salman
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia84 contributions
Jan 2020
Entrance fee is only 10 riyals. Receptionist was gracious and welcoming, lots of interesting stuff about Saudi Arabia history and The museum is well organize and easy to go around.
Beautiful park inside and huge place to walk around and relax.
Beautiful park inside and huge place to walk around and relax.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff K
Pittsburgh, PA2,344 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
This is a very large museum that does a good job of explaining the history of Saudi Arabia and the Muslim faith. At first I thought it was a little odd that they would focus so much on religion but it makes a lot of sense when you consider how the closely intertwined the country and religion are. I spent about 90 minutes here and learned a lot, particularly about the Muslim faith.
Written January 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan Joyce
14 contributions
Nov 2021
I visited this the last time I was in Riyadh. It is a brilliant museum charting the history of the country and also how it developed its oil production. The museum is large and spacious with lots of attractions and things to see. Its very clean and elegant. You can definitely spend 2-3 hours there.
Written October 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
raj b
Bharuch, India160 contributions
Oct 2019
Beautifully set exhibition with lots of information. Many interesting things to see -- in fact one should bring more time than I did to visit this museum. It was a pity that most of the videos were in Arabic only. We were part of a conference, so a meal was arranged after the visit: really good local food!
Written February 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
how much is the entrance fee on the month of August? Are female expats allowed to visit?
Written July 3, 2018
Yes. Female tourists are allowed in the museum.
Written August 11, 2018
Close on Fridays.
Normally 09:00-18:00 Open
SAR 10
Written July 6, 2017
I am a single woman with no driver so how to get there? and how much will it cost me for a taxi? are there any tourists groups
Written March 28, 2017
Try internations for social groups (it is a very active website, lots going on), but for the Museum just use Uber, or the Saudi version Careem. Download the app onto your phone, very very easy to use. Enjoy!
Written March 29, 2017
How much is the ticket for children and adults and do they take credit cards.
Written March 2, 2017
10 riyals for adults each...for children its free ...but better to check the days before going as they have separate days for family and singles
Written March 2, 2017
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