Riyadh is surrounded by desert and arid areas. Therefore, green spaces are becoming increasingly important for life in Riyadh. Existing and newly planned parks play an important role in this regard.
The inhabitants of Riyadh love their parks. Especially in the evenings and on weekends, these parks are heavily frequented by families and friends sitting on blankets and having a picnic.
Some parks do not have free access; however, tickets are cheap, such as SAR 10.00. A few of them are mentioned below.
Salam Park
If you are visiting the district Al Deerah anyway, a flying visit to Salam Park may be a good idea. The has a large pond surrounded by greenery and recreated landscapes, including an old palm farm and grassy plateaus. Boating is available on the pond. Night fountains and water features are other attractive features of the park.
Wadi Hanīfah
Wadi Hanīfah is a popular picnic destination. Yet it is not a park in the conventional sense, but rather a natural monument in the middle of the Najd Plateau, which, with its basin and tributaries, stretches some 120 km from the Tuwayq Escarpment to the open desert southeast of Riyadh. It crosses Riyadh from north to south. The northern end of the path is immediately west of the diplomatic quarter.
King Fahd National Library Park
Calling this smaller area a park is perhaps a bit of an exaggeration. Aside from a few palm trees and a largely withered lawn, the space had little park character until recently. But it developed into a popular evening gathering place for picnics and get-togethers.
King Abdullah Park
The park was a former horse racing track before it was transformed into a large public city park in 2013. During the day, it looks like many other parks in the world, with a large pond, lawns, playgrounds, etc. But in the evening, it becomes an experience. Hundreds of people gather in the park for a lavish picnic with family members or friends. And so, numerous Saudi and foreign families already gather in front of the entrance gate – equipped with blankets, food, drinks and toys in picnic baskets – patiently waiting to be let in. Between 18 and 19, as a highlight, you can experience the choreographic play of water jets and colors of the luminous fountains – the highest is reportedly a 110-meter-high giant laser fountain – in the pond to modern music.
