Lively Al Fayha is an ideal base for your stay in Riyadh. Tree-shaded parks dot the neighbourhood and are popular with local couples and families. Dine at traditional restaurants, sightsee in the city centre and venture into a nearby national park to discover sun-baked desert landscapes.
Things to do in Al Fayha
Twin minarets welcome you to Al Rajhi Mosque. The enormous mosque features a cavernous prayer hall and a soaring central dome. At capacity, it can host almost 20,000 people. You can enter the mosque if you follow the Islamic faith, or simply admire the beautiful building from the street.
Swap fast-food for delicious Saudi Arabian dishes served at family-owned restaurants in Al Fayha. Try local specialties like “kabsah” baked rice cooked with fragrant spices, “tharid” flatbread served in a rich lamb broth and deep-fried “sambusak” pastries stuffed with meat and cheese. A breakfast of “shakshouka” poached eggs cooked in a spicy tomato sauce will keep you full for hours.
Discover an otherworldly landscape of rugged hills, valleys and canyons in Thumamah National Park. Hiking trails wind through the park and connect hundreds of traditional Bedouin desert camps equipped with kitchens and running water. The sunsets are spectacular and bathe the desert landscapes in a golden glow.
Get lost in a sea of towering skyscrapers in the Riyadh city centre. Al Fayha is a short drive from attractions like the state-of-the-art National Museum. Inside the ultra-modern building is a treasure trove of fine art, ancient rock carvings and Saudi Arabian artefacts. Ride the elevator to the vertigo-inducing Sky Bridge. It’s located on the 99th floor of the Kingdom Centre skyscraper and boasts panoramic views over the city.
Getting around Al Fayha
Taxis are a fast and easy way to get around Al Fayha or you can cover short distances on foot. The neighbourhood is a 30-minute drive from Riyadh city centre. King Khalid International Airport is a 45-minute drive away.