Whether your kids are six or 16, there are endless possibilities for a family holiday in Saudi. Riyadh and Jeddah boast world-class museums and zoos, as well as a plethora of child-friendly restaurants. Alternatively, venture deep into the desert where camel-riding and sandboarding excursions will keep adventurous teens entertained, whilst the Arabian Gulf offers pristine shores and ocean-based fun for all ages. Here’s our guide to the top family-friendly destinations in Saudi.
Riyadh
The Saudi capital is a veritable playground for kids of all ages. Start at the Riyadh Zoo, home to over 1500 animals, where you can watch majestic tigers prowl through grassland and listen to enormous elephants trumpeting to each other. Next, take a guided tour around the Al Masmak Palace Museum to learn about Saudi Arabia’s storied history at the interactive exhibits.
Step back in time at Ushaiger Heritage Village where you can learn about Bedouin life
(Visit Saudi)
Afternoons are best spent at Snow City, an artificial snow park where the whole family can try skiing, sledding and ice tubing. Alternatively, head outside of Riyadh to the Ushaiger Heritage Village, a centuries-old Bedouin oasis town. Get your kids’ imagination firing as you tour the sandstone alleyways, imagining life here thousands of years ago. Or hop on a train from Riyadh to Buraidah, home to dozens of palm-decked date farms. Tuck into a field-to-fork lunch at one of the plantations, before cooling off at the swimming pool inside the King Khalid Park and Garden.
Come evening, return to the city for an unmissable trip up the Kingdom Tower; gaze out across the glittering cityscape from the 300m-high Sky Bridge. For dinner, Najd Village serves up traditional Saudi dishes – like lamb moqalqal and shrimp kabsa – in an intimate, family-style setting. Otherwise, head to Salt, which serves crispy fried chicken sliders and towering soft-serve ice cream.
Looking for a place to stay? The Ritz-Carlton will not disappoint. This five-star resort boasts an unbeatable kids club, packed with fun, educational activities. Or choose the Holiday Inn Riyadh-Olaya where children stay and eat for free.
Jeddah
Kids of all ages will love Jeddah’s fun-packed amusement parks
(Visit Saudi)
Amusement parks abound in the coastal city of Jeddah. The Al Shallal Theme Park is a must-visit, occupying 60,000 square-metres on the corniche. Little ones will love the spinning teacups, while teenagers can get their thrills on The Train, one…
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