Is Riyadh a City or Country? 13 Things to Know Before You Visit

Where exactly is Riyadh? Is it a country or a city? Can non-Muslim travel to Riyadh? Is Riyadh a pilgrimage site?

If you have heard about Riyadh and have all these questions in mind, you have come to the right place!

As someone who moved to Riyadh and has lived here for a year, I’m going to share everything you need to know about Riyadh.

1. Is Riyadh a country or a city?

First thing first, let’s get it right. Riyadh is not a country, it is a city inside Saudi Arabia.

2. Which country is Riyadh in?

Riyadh is a city in the country of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

It sits right in the center of the country, in a region called Najd, on a high desert plateau about 600 meters above sea level.

When people think of Saudi Arabia, they usually picture endless sand dunes. And yes, the country has stunning deserts. 

But Riyadh itself is a huge modern city filled with skyscrapers, wide highways, and large residential neighborhoods. 

3. Is Riyadh the capital city?

Yes, Riyadh is the capital city of Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh is the historical home of the Al Saud family. When the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was unified in 1932, Riyadh was established as the capital.

Today, it houses the royal palaces, government ministries, and the diplomatic quarter where all foreign embassies are located. 

If you are doing government business or corporate networking in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is where you need to be.

4. What currency is used in Riyadh?

The currency used in Riyadh or Saudi Arabia in general is the Saudi Riyal (SAR).

One great thing about visiting Riyadh is that the exchange rate is very stable.

The Saudi Riyal is fixed to the US dollar at 1 USD = 3.75 SAR, so you don’t have to stress about sudden changes in currency value during your trip.

Also, you won’t need to carry much cash. Riyadh is mostly cashless, and cards are accepted almost everywhere.

5. What is the timezone in Riyadh?

Riyadh operates on Arabia Standard Time (AST), which is UTC +3.

A crucial detail for remote workers and international business travelers: Saudi Arabia does not observe Daylight Saving Time. The time remains exactly the same year-round.

Depending on the time of year, Riyadh is generally:

• 8 hours ahead of New York (EST)
• 3 hours ahead of London (GMT)
• 1 hour behind Dubai (GST)

6. Is Riyadh near Mecca and Madinah?

The answer is no. Riyadh is not near to Mecca or Madinah.

A common misconception is that all Saudi cities are clustered together. In reality, Saudi Arabia is a very huge country, it is about the size of Western Europe.

Mecca is roughly 800 kilometers (about 500 miles) southwest of Riyadh, while Madinah is about 850 kilometers away to the west.

If you’re driving, a road trip from Riyadh to either of the holy cities takes about 8 to 10 hours across the desert highway.

If you’re taking the flight, it will take roughly 1.5 hours from King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh to the Madinah Airport.

While the Haramain High-Speed Railway connects Mecca, Jeddah, and Madinah on the west coast, that train network does not currently work across the country to Riyadh.

7. Is Saudi Arabia a Muslim country?

Yes, Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country and it acts as a birthplace of Islam. Saudi Arabia holds the 2 holiest cities in Islamic history which is Mecca and Madinah.

8. Is Riyadh a religious destination & can non-Muslim travel to Riyadh?

No, Riyadh is not a religious pilgrimage site. And yes, non-Muslim can travel to Riyadh easily. In fact, there are a lot of non-Muslim expats living in Riyadh too.

It’s normal to get confused about the entry rules for Saudi Arabia as a whole with the specific rules for its holy cities.

Mecca and the central haram area of Madinah are strictly reserved for Muslims undertaking the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages. 

Riyadh, however, is a business, cultural, and entertainment hub. People of all faiths, backgrounds, and nationalities are welcome to visit Riyadh. 

There are no religious restrictions to enter the capital, and you do not need to be Muslim to obtain a tourist visa for the city.

However, dressing modestly is still expected in Riyadh and all cities in Saudi Arabia.

9. What is the size of Riyadh?

Riyadh covers about 1,973 square kilometers, which makes it a very large city. In fact, it’s bigger than New York City and more than twice the size of Singapore.

It’s a wide, spread-out city rather than one filled with tall buildings close together. Because of that, Riyadh isn’t very walkable. Most neighborhoods are far apart and connected by major highways.

If you’re living in or visiting Riyadh, you’ll need to rely on a car. E-hailing apps are very common, safe, and reliable, though they’re not always the cheapest option.

The city has also recently introduced a public transportation system called the Riyadh Metro, which is helping make getting around a bit easier.

10. Is Riyadh close to other major Gulf cities?

Yes, it is. Because Riyadh sits right in the middle of the Arabian Peninsula, it’s a great base if you want to explore nearby countries.

Bahrain (Manama) – This is a very popular road trip, especially for weekends. The drive takes around 4 to 5 hours, crossing the famous King Fahd Causeway. A lot of locals and expats love going there for a short getaway.

Qatar (Doha) – You can also drive to Doha, though it’s a bit farther. The journey usually takes about 6 to 7 hours, which makes it doable for a long weekend or holiday.

UAE (Abu Dhabi & Dubai) – Driving is possible and takes about 8 to 9 hours. But most people choose to fly. A direct flight from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi or Dubai takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes, so it’s very convenient for both business and leisure trips.

11. What is the population of Riyadh?

As of 2026, the population of Riyadh is roughly 8 million people.

Saudi nationals make up the majority of the population, while the rest of the populations are expatriate workforce. 

Riyadh is also very diverse. You will find large communities from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, the Levant, Europe, and the Americas. 

Because of this, English is widely spoken in the city and some office jobs don’t require Arabic proficiency at all.

12. Is Riyadh a popular tourist destination?

Yes, and it’s becoming more popular among travellers, tourists, and expats every year.

If you’re wondering what Riyadh is known for, it’s honestly a mix of many things. The city offers a lot of cultural and heritage experiences, especially if you enjoy history.

At the same time, Riyadh has been hosting big entertainment events, bringing in international celebrities and organizing major music festivals like MDLBEAST.

During winter, the city feels even more alive with attractions like BLVD World and various seasonal lounges.

And if you love shopping and food, you’ll be happy here. The mall and restaurant scene in Riyadh is growing fast and full of options.

13.  Is there a specific dress code when visiting Riyadh?

There is no specific dress code when visiting Riyadh but you are expected to dress modestly. 

Wearing a thobe or abaya is not mandatory, however your clothes must be covering your skin and most parts of your body.

For men, avoid wearing shorts as you will be denied entry to public places like malls and fine-dining restaurants. For women, avoid sleeveless dress, low-cut tops, and anything above-the-knee length. 

Conclusion

There you go all the basic things you need to know about Riyadh before traveling to the city. I hope this article answers some of your questions. If you have been thinking of traveling to Riyadh or moving to Riyadh, feel free to check out my other guides in this blog.