What to do in Riyadh when it rains
When Riyadh turns grey, head for the indoors — centuries of history in its museums, art to lose an hour in, and markets and cafés out of the rain.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- The National Museum King Faisal Road, حي, 8745 طريق الملك سعود، 2722, الرياض 12631, Saudi Arabia
- Al Masmak Palace Museum 3153، 6937 Al Thumairi St, 6937, Ad Dirah, 3153, Riyadh 12634, Saudi Arabia
- Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Grand Mosque Ad Dirah, Riyadh 12634, Saudi Arabia
- Murabba Historical Palace JPW5+6P9, 2722 King Saud Rd, Al Murabba, Riyadh 12631, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdulaziz Darah 2722 الملك سعود، Al Murabba, 8745, Riyadh 12631, Saudi Arabia
- معهد مسك للفنون An Namudhajiyah, Riyadh 12731, Saudi Arabia
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall 4033, Dist, 9346 طريق الملك سعود، النموذجية، الرياض 12731, Saudi Arabia
- Misk Art Week | أسبوع مسك للفنون An Namudhajiyah, Riyadh 12731, Saudi Arabia
- Kingdom Heritage 3271, 6892 شارع الثميري، الديرة، الرياض 12634, Saudi Arabia
- bamboo garden Al Sina'iyah, Riyadh 12844, Saudi Arabia
- Noor Riyadh 2024 نور الرياض King Saud Rd, Street, Riyadh 12631, Saudi Arabia
- مصنع ابواب Wpc-pvc مؤسسة منال الكربي معرض الخالد لاابواب سحاب Al Madina Al Munawwarah Rd, Al Sina'iyah, Riyadh 12844, Saudi Arabia
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Al Masmak Palace Museum 3153، 6937 Al Thumairi St, 6937, Ad Dirah, 3153, Riyadh 12634, Saudi Arabia
- Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Grand Mosque Ad Dirah, Riyadh 12634, Saudi Arabia
- Alsafat Square شارع الثميري، الديرة، الرياض 12652،، Ad Dirah, Riyadh 12634, Saudi Arabia
- The Red Palace 2712 Al Amir Abdullah Ibn Jalawi Ibn Turki, Al Futah, 8225, Riyadh 12632, Saudi Arabia
- Jabal Abu Makhruq RCTA6976، 6976 جبل الذبياني، 4637 حي، Ad Dhubbat, Riyadh 12627, Saudi Arabia
- Al Masmak Yard Masmak Fortress, Al Imam Turki Ibn Abd Allah Ibn Muhammad, Ad Dirah, Riyadh 12652, Saudi Arabia
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Souq al quods Souk Al Quds Building، JP85+C4F, King Fahd Rd, عتيقة،، Riyadh 12653،, Saudi Arabia
- Al-Taamir market for meat and vegetables in Batha JPH9+WJC، طارق بن زياد، Al Oud, Riyadh 12661, Saudi Arabia
- Souk Al Zal Al Cheikh Muhammad Ibn Ibrahim, Ad Dirah, Riyadh 12634, Saudi Arabia
- مركز سويقة البوابة 2 3328 شارع الثميري، الديرة، الرياض 12634 6935،، Ad Dirah, Riyadh 12634, Saudi Arabia
- Batha Bangal Market Bangladesh market, Al Bathaa, Ad Dirah, Riyadh 12633, Saudi Arabia
- الصناعيه القديمه لقطع غيار السيارات القتادية،، JPRP+5MX, Al Sina'iyah, Riyadh 12843, Saudi Arabia
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- The Groves Ar Rafiah, Riyadh 12753, Saudi Arabia
- Hazzah Coffee REMA7053, 7053 Shaykh Salih Ibn Ghisun, 3297، Riyadh 12836, Saudi Arabia
- LadyFinger Slow Bar ليدي فنقر Jabir Ibn Abdullah St, Al Mutamarat, Riyadh 12712, Saudi Arabia
- COFUME Al Imam Abi Hanifah, Ar Rafiah, Riyadh 12753, Saudi Arabia
- Best coffee حي، King Saud Rd, Al Wisham, Riyadh 12735, Saudi Arabia
- Food House Restaurant & Lounge | فود هاوس Old Sanaya, Al Khalidiya Area, 7776 الانوار، الخالدية، الرياض 12873, Saudi Arabia
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Al Maigliah Market Center Al Imam Turki Ibn Abd Allah Ibn Muhammad, Ad Dirah, Riyadh 12634, Saudi Arabia
- MAIGLIAH 3 Al Imam Muhammad Ibn Saoud Ibn Mouqren, Ad Dirah, Riyadh 12634, Saudi Arabia
- Mecca markets, King Fahd Road Al-Shemaysi, Riyadh 12771, Saudi Arabia
- Villagio Mall 2170 سليمان بن مالك Second floor Villagio mall, Al Bathaa, Al Amal, Riyadh 12643, Saudi Arabia
- Nojoud Mall شارع جابر بن عبدالله،، Al Mutamarat, Riyadh 12712, Saudi Arabia
- Batha market Dahab 2423 Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari, Ad Dirah, Riyadh 12645, Saudi Arabia
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.