Historical Riyadh Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour
Highlights
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Offline Mode: Download tours and listen without WiFi
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Location Aware: GPS map allows you to enjoy the sites
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Instagram Hotspots: We find the perfect picture spots
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Enjoy a private experience in a COVID-19 safe environment
Summary
Explore Riyadh’s historical district and learn about Riyadh’s origins as capital and how it’s changed over the past 300 years.
Tour info
Duration
50 minutes -
Group Size
Pricing (From)
Adult:
(5-90 years)
£7.99
Commentary
English
Meeting Point
6937 Al Thumairi St, Al Thumairi St, Riyadh, Riyadh Province, 12634
Dropoff location
Al Thumairi St, Al Thumairi St, Riyadh, Riyadh Province, 12634
Why take this tour?
Explore Riyadh’s historical district, and learn about the city’s origins as the capital of Saudi Arabia with this immersive tour!
Listen to an expert historian and get an in-depth insight into Riyadh’s famous souks, magnificent mosques, cultural sights and begin to understand how this town, in the middle of a massive red-sand desert, has transformed into the city it is today.
Walk around the iconic key attractions such as the Al Masmak Fortress, Al Safat Square, The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque, Souq AlZzal Market, and Ath Thumayry Street as we track the history of this fascinating city and how it’s changed over the past 300 years.
Experience a historical adventure in this must-see picturesque city, and travel through time to learn everything about the historic buildings, mysteries and secret stories that define Riyadh.
Begin the tour outside Al Masmak Fortress, a building is foundational to the history of modern Saudi Arabia. Follow the story of the Royal Saudi Family and King Adbulaziz’s recapture of this Fortress back in 1902. Come back here later if you want and we can follow King Abdulaziz’s footsteps through Al Masmak.
Head into Al Safat, a square established during Imam Turki bin Abdullah’s reign. It was redesigned during the first master plan for the new city of Riyadh. Despite this area being the oldest part of Riyadh, it actually underwent a lot of change! As the city plan went on, a lot of neighbourhoods opened up massively and ditched the traditional narrow streets and densely packed houses.
Wander into Qayasriat Al Kitab, a beautiful bookshop surrounded by palm trees and little fountains. This place brings together intellectuals, readers and writers in one place in the heart of Riyadh by the Palace of Governance. Learn about Riyadh’s other culture sights, from the King ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Historical Centre and the National Museum to Al-Murabaa Palace and the famous Al-Jinādiriyyah national culture festival.
Visit the Great Mosque, also known as the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque. This mosque was established during the reign of Imam Turki bin Abdullah in the 19th century and is one of the most important mosques in the city of Riyadh. Citizens could come here to meet and speak to their ruler.
Weave through Souq Al Zall, a truly authentic market here in the heart of Riyadh. The souq is over 100 years old and is still a go to destination for Saudis to buy and barter for carpets, perfumes, traditional clothes and food. Learn about the history of Arabian markets, from the first souqs that appeared 2500 years ago to Saudi Arabia’s modern trade.
Stroll down Al-Ath Thumayry Street, a favourite spot for handicrafts and local gifts. This is considered to be one of Riyadh’s most famous streets and it sums up Riyadh perfectly with authentic produce. Keep an eye out for the clock tower at the end of this road that was built in 1966, making it one of the city’s first public clocks!
Finish the tour at Ath Thumayry Gate, a reconstruction of an old city gate. It’s part of the Qasr Al Hokm project, which reconstructs old parts of the heart of the city, and is made from the original materials that made up the old wall. Walk around it and you feel you are living in history.
The Vidi Guides experience is enriched with on-screen photos and videos. We also point out where to take the perfect Instagram photos during the tour, and include recommendations for food, drinks, and local attractions. Don't worry, none of our recommendations are sponsored - they are simply favourites of the locals who helped craft the experience.
Vidi Guides creates immersive audio experiences that are like podcasts. This is a self-guided audio tour that can be started or stopped at your own convenience. Download the Vidi Guides app & your Riyadh tour to explore the area independently and safely! Make sure to download your tour before your visit to streamline your trip!
What’s included?
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Access to your self-guided audio tour -
Audio tour provided by a local or historian -
Offline Mode: Download tours in advance to listen without WiFi -
Location Aware: GPS map allows you to enjoy sites, without getting lost -
Instagram Hotspots: We find the spot for your perfect picture -
Headphones
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Mobile device
Things to know
Before you book
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This product is suitable for all ages
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Do it at your own pace. This product is suitable for all fitness levels
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English speaking Audio guide only
Before you go
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You will need to bring your own mobile phone
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You will need to bring your own headset/earphones
Covid Policy
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
This is a covid safe tour. Avoid the crowds while exploring Riyadh in a socially distanced manner
Cancellation Policy
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Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund
Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
Redemption information
You will receive your access link in a separate email sent to you
Your voucher will be collected or scanned on redemption
About operator:
Too many people visit places without discovering anything about them. And we can’t let that happen.
We believe that the true essence of travelling lies in the joy of discovering the authentic face of cities, neighbourhood and cultural sites, and unlocking the many tales they hold.
With that spirit in our hearts, we started out in search of these stories hidden in the nooks and corners of Paris, London, Cambridge and Oxford's most iconic spots. We then dived into each place’s culture, history, and traditions by collaborating with historians, famous architects, photographers, street artists, and many more. What we ended up finding was a treasure trove of stories that we have meticulously tied together just for you!
But how to deliver this information? We didn’t want to create another Wikipedia, with people looking at their phones instead of the sites. And let’s face it, audioguides and headsets belong to the 20th century.. This is why we’ve created our own storytelling format. Podcast-style tours, enriched with photos and videos, that keep you wanting more.
Our goal is to create a form of travel that will make you truly discover the places you visit.
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