National Museum
National Museum
4.5
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday
1:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 9:00 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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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
700 reviews
Excellent
359
Very good
278
Average
49
Poor
9
Terrible
5
Masood K
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania1,441 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.
Samim Khan
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia10 contributions
May 2019
The Museum displays the yesterday of Saudi Arabia.
The Architecture, The Villages, The Locals life before industrialization.
It also informs about the material (Composites) found in Saudi Arabia.
We visited around evening time and it is open until late evening not like other Museums closing early.
Here you can watch small clips of the country's history.
The Architecture, The Villages, The Locals life before industrialization.
It also informs about the material (Composites) found in Saudi Arabia.
We visited around evening time and it is open until late evening not like other Museums closing early.
Here you can watch small clips of the country's history.
Written April 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Irshad Ismail
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia60 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.
Sarah W
United Kingdom5 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.
Bob A
Stockport, UK429 contributions
Jan 2020
I visited here alone whilst I was visiting the city.
Arriving middle afternoon, the place was deserted. I bought an entrance ticket at the desk and left my bag with the concierge, then began my visit.
There is a path you can follow on the floor to take you through a series of galleries in this modern building. They cover everything from the flora and fauna of the region through to the history of man through a series of both exhibitions and inter active installations. I thought it ewas quite good and as the place is so devoid of visitors I got to see everything at my own pace. Much of the text is in both English and Arabic.
Later in the museum there are some cultural exhibits before a final piece about Islam.
I found the whole place really interesting and well worth visiting and I would highly recommend it. It's split over two levels with stairs and lifts to help you get around.
Don't expect much from the staff, there are hardly any there. There are clean toilets and vending machines for some snacks and drinks.
Combine a visit here with a visit to the gardens outside and the park at the back.
Arriving middle afternoon, the place was deserted. I bought an entrance ticket at the desk and left my bag with the concierge, then began my visit.
There is a path you can follow on the floor to take you through a series of galleries in this modern building. They cover everything from the flora and fauna of the region through to the history of man through a series of both exhibitions and inter active installations. I thought it ewas quite good and as the place is so devoid of visitors I got to see everything at my own pace. Much of the text is in both English and Arabic.
Later in the museum there are some cultural exhibits before a final piece about Islam.
I found the whole place really interesting and well worth visiting and I would highly recommend it. It's split over two levels with stairs and lifts to help you get around.
Don't expect much from the staff, there are hardly any there. There are clean toilets and vending machines for some snacks and drinks.
Combine a visit here with a visit to the gardens outside and the park at the back.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Natali Kupetska
Ottawa, Canada130 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
I love museums like it. Where you can listen to story, watching some historical episodes. The museum is huge and very knowledgeable for tourists who doesn’t know a lot of KSA it’s a good place to start discovering it. Historical district around is so ethnic and beautiful, hanging around can take a half of the day. But it’s definitely worthy.
Written April 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alan Joyce
12 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.
WMBandit
Shanghai, China2,026 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.
Bashar Salman
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia47 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.
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.
What are visiting timings and tickets price these days?
piereabounaoum
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia43 contributions
Hi, the entrance is 10SR per person, and for the timing please check the following:
Weekdays Schools Public Visits
Sunday 8:00-12:00 school boys 12:00 - 2:00
Monday 8:00-12:00 school girls 12:00 - 8:00
Tuesday 8:00-12:00 school boys 12:00 - 8:00
Wednesday 8:00-12:00 school girls 12:00 - 8:00
Thursday 8:00-12:00 school boys 12:00 - 8:00
Friday 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
how much is the entrance fee on the month of August? Are female expats allowed to visit?
LucyBaronB
Bucharest, Romania53 contributions
Yes. Female tourists are allowed in the museum.
hi everyone, is it possible to bring a dslr camera and take pictures of the displays inside the museum? thanks in advance to ur replies.
Hazem Z
Riyadh12 contributions
yes, definitely.
is der lift for old people as it has many floors...
Fawaz0sa
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia8 contributions
Sure there is.
Opening timings and entry fee?
Raymon2108
Mossel Bay, South Africa29 contributions
Close on Fridays.
Normally 09:00-18:00 Open
SAR 10
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
ickle_moose
62 contributions
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!
Single allow? ???
fvunen
Riyadh21 contributions
Yes, they have bachelor/singles and family time slots for visiting. The opening hours on their website make no differentiation, best call them before going.
Smera Z
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia36 contributions
How much is the ticket for children and adults and do they take credit cards.
Shailu80
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates60 contributions
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
National Museum (Riyadh) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about National Museum
- National Museum is open:
- Mon - Wed 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Thu - Thu 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- Fri - Fri 1:00 PM - 11:00 PM
- Sat - Sat 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- We recommend booking National Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 9 National Museum tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience National Museum:
- Full Day Riyadh Historical Tour (From $250.00)
- The Original Local Tour in Riyadh (From $300.00)
- Small group adventure tour Kingdom of Saudi Arabia German tour guide (From $7,419.38)
- Round trip Saudi Arabia with German tour guide in a small group max 6 people (From $8,560.82)
- Full-Day Riyadh City Tour with Lunch (From $202.00)
- Hotels near National Museum:
- (0.24 mi) OYO 230 Al Toot Palace Al Murabaa
- (0.38 mi) OYO 150 Al Hamra Palace Al Aswaq
- (0.32 mi) Reef Leen Furnished Apartments
- (0.37 mi) Hayat Al Riyadh Washam Hotel
- (1.58 mi) voco Riyadh, an IHG Hotel
- Restaurants near National Museum:
- (0.26 mi) Beit Omar
- (0.29 mi) Fly Cafe
- (0.36 mi) Cusina
- (3.53 mi) Zafran Indian Bistro - The View Mall
- (3.30 mi) Zafran Indian Bistro - Turki Square