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A stone’s throw from the Singapore River, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse is a must-visit for meat lovers, exclusively serving USDA Prime Black Angus steak, dry-aged on-site for a minimum of 28 days. Order the Porterhouse when dining for two, three or four people, along with other Wolfgang’s signatures, such as crab cake and Beverly Hills chopped salad. Pair your meal with a glass or bottle of wine – the steakhouse has an extensive international list of over 300 labels. Finish the evening with a dessert wine or a digestif at the rich mahogany bar for the ultimate nightcap.
For decades, Saudi Arabia was largely inaccessible to leisure travellers, known more for pilgrimage and business visits than for leisure travel. That changed in 2019, when the kingdom began issuing tourist visas and actively inviting the world in. Since then, the pace of change has been swift and highly visible – particularly in Riyadh, where bold architecture, revitalised heritage districts and a fast-evolving dining scene sit alongside long-held traditions.
A traditional market in the Al Thumairi souq in Al Bathaa, Souq Al Zel. Photo: Shutterstock.com
Riyadh today offers travellers a rare chance to see a city redefining itself in real time. With direct flights from Singapore on Singapore Airlines, it’s easier than ever to explore this new destination. Whether you are drawn to its contemporary culture, rich history or family-friendly attractions, here are three ways to experience it all in the Saudi capital.
Experience a modern city jaunt
Riyadh’s transformation is most obvious when seen from above, and then explored at street level.
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Start with the views from Kingdom Centre Tower, where the Skybridge on the 99th floor offers a sweeping look at the city’s scale and ambition. From there, take the metro to the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), a striking cluster of glass and steel that signals Riyadh’s future-facing identity. The metro station by Zaha Hadid Architects is a destination in itself, with its flowing lines inspired by desert landscapes.
The modern area of KAFD heavily contrasts with Riyadh’s more traditional quarters. Photo: Shutterstock.com
Above ground, KAFD’S pedestrian skywalks link offices, cafés and public art, making it one of the city’s most walkable districts. For contemporary culture, the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art and the nearby Jax District offer a glimpse into the kingdom’s growing creative scene, housed in former industrial spaces now repurposed for exhibitions, film and design.
Eat:
At Aseeb Najd Restaurant – particularly the Alyasmin branch – traditional Najdi cuisine is presented with impressive drama, from the monumental wooden doors to the comforting depth of dishes like jareesh, made from crushed wheat kernels cooked with milk and various spices. For sunset dining, Bujairi Terrace on the edge of Diriyah brings together views of the desert with a strong line-up of restaurants, including Somewhere. which blends Arabian and Mediterranean flavours.
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A beautiful night view of Via Riyadh. Photo: Shutterstock.com
Via Riyadh distils the city’s appetite for luxury into one gleaming district, combining international designer brands with Saudi labels, jewellery boutiques and polished cafés, alongside branches of Michelin-starred restaurants.
Experience history and culture
While the city’s skyline tells one story, Riyadh’s historical sites reveal another – one rooted in unification, architecture and everyday life.
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Begin at Al Murabba Historical Palace, once home to King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, founder of modern Saudi Arabia.
The Murabba Palace Qasr al Murabba is a historic building of great significance. Photo: Shutterstock.com
Nearby, the National Museum provides essential context, tracing the country’s history through immersive galleries that reward unhurried exploration. Both attractions are right in the heart of the city.
The National Museum of Saudi Arabia offers something for everyone to explore. Photo: Shutterstock.com
Continue to Al Masmak Palace Museum, a fortress made of clay and mud bricks. Then witness traditional Najdi architecture reinvented with modern technological prowess at The Mukaab, a stunning cube skyscraper in the New Murabba entertainment complex.
Aerial view of the illuminated ruins of At Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photo: Saudi Tourism Board
One of the most important must-visits for history lovers are the UNESCO-listed sites of Diriyah and the At-Turaif. Both are sprawling complexes with quintessential Najdi mudbrick buildings, revitalised along with various galleries and restaurants to complete the visit.
Eat:
For typical Saudi cuisine in a historic and traditional setting, look no further than Nadj Village. Try the kabsa (also known as makboos), a rice dish with meat such as lamb or chicken, all spiced to perfection. Be sure to try the freshly baked and steaming hot bread with some hummus. Another good local restaurant is Hamsa W Taghmeesa in Ar Rayyan, but be sure to have exact directions as it can be hard to find.
Shop:
For local souvenirs, head into the old quarter to Souq Al-Thumairi, where you can buy antiques and arts and crafts. Another nearby market is Souq Al-Zal, where locals shop for thobes (traditional long robes worn by men) and carpets.
Experience family fun and adventure
With plenty of indoor and shaded attractions, Riyadh is well suited to families exploring the city together.
See and do:
Boulevard World (BLVD World) is an amusement park that comes into its own during the Riyadh Season, when cooler winter months from November to March bring pop-up pavilions, rides and performances. During the hotter months, the park itself is closed but there are always indoor options to explore.
Boulevard World features global-themed zones, vibrant marketplace and a pool at sunset. Photo: Shutterstock.com
Kids (especially the younger ones) will love Sparky’s, an indoor, air-conditioned amusement park with rides, soft play and video games. The biggest location is at Al Hamra Mall but there are smaller branches in different locations.
The Edge of the World is a natural landmark and popular tourist destination. Photo: Shutterstock.com
For outdoor fun, head straight to the lovely King Abdullah Park, with plenty of greenery, playgrounds and fountains. Also worth a side trip is the Edge of the World, a fabulous natural cliff overlooking the desert. Half-day and full-day trips from Riyadh are available.
King Abdullah park in Riyadh offers plenty of greenery and open spaces to stroll through. Photo: Shutterstock.com
Add a bit of culture to your family vacation with a trip to the National Museum, which not only introduces the kids to Saudi Arabia’s history, but also offers plenty interactive displays, plus a real meteorite and dinosaur bones to see.
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A fun, must-try is AL BAIK, Saudi Arabia’s very own fried chicken franchise, which is hugely popular with locals and visitors. There are several branches in the city, and they are worth sampling for juicy chicken pieces and burgers.
Al Baik is the most popular fast food restaurant in Saudi Arabia. Photo: Shutterstock.com
For a wider menu which offers something for all ages, head to Jones the Grocer at the Fairmont Ramla Serviced Residences, where you can enjoy international breakfast, brunch and main courses throughout the day.
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For a unique purchase, treat your child to some camel milk products (in particular, creamy chocolates). Rich in vitamins and minerals, camel milk products also extend to soaps and skincare, which make for a unique and healthy souvenir. If your little one is looking for a stuffed toy, there are plenty of fluffy camel options in the souks and in Diriyah.
SIA will launch its inaugural non-stop flights between Singapore and Riyadh on 2 June 2026, operating the four-times weekly services with the medium-haul variant of its Airbus A350-900 aircraft. For more information on Singapore Airlines’ flights to Riyadh, visit singaporeair.com.
Sitting right in the heart of Keong Saik, this design-forward shop is redefining how we select, purchase and appreciate wine. While the sinuous curves and flashes of iconic names such as Domaine Leroy and Petrus might seem intimidating, CEO Nicolas Laurent has also curated bottles more approachable to newcomers. Bacchic is divided into four areas, one for each season. Winter, appropriately, is the wine cellar, where Spring is a private tasting lounge. While Autumn is the main shop floor, Summer is designed for wine dinners and more.
Taking up residence in the city’s Museum for Applied Art (Museum Angewandte Kunst), Emma Metzler is a cool, somewhat kitschy bistro that looks like it could be one of the museum’s exhibits. Picture this: Bauhaus furniture, bold primary colours and strings of fairy lights crisscrossing the ceiling. The kitchen is led by head chef Anton de Bruyn who enjoys serving what he calls “neo bistro cuisine”: think sliced liver paired with mashed potatoes, quince and radicchio or black salsify tempura topped with poppy seeds and michelada salt. After dinner, take a walk along the museum embankment for a glimpse of Frankfurt’s glittering skyline.
Housed in the city’s narrowest building, Seven Swans promises a meal as unique as its location. Flanked by two residential townhouses along the vibrant riverside promenade, Mainkai, it is easy to miss the entrance to the one-Michelin-starred restaurant. The entrance at the ground floor gives you a glimpse of its sister bar, The Tiny Cup, before you’re whisked to your table upstairs. Floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Main River give the cosy 17-seater restaurant the illusion of ample space – a nice perk to an already exceptional fine dining meal.
Head chef Ricky Saward took over the restaurant in 2018 and has since refined the menu to be entirely vegan, organic and sustainable. Much of the produce served at Seven Swans comes from its own local farm and diners can expect expertly prepared plates that allow the natural flavours of its ingredients to shine. Reservations are open four to six months in advance so book early to avoid disappointment.
