View of an 18th-century palace, the very place where the Saudi royal family is said to have originally planned its conquest of the Arabian Peninsula, in the historic district of Diriyah. (Credit: AFP)

Diriyah, or the many facets of a Saudi success

With a reasonable size and budget, the site has become Riyadh’s top tourist attraction, as well as a soft power tool for the crown.

27 Apr 2026, 11:03 by Amélie ZACCOUR · L'Orient Today

It’s one of the few tangible successes of Vision 2030, the economic diversification program launched 10 years ago by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MBS). The city of Diriyah, the birthplace of the al-Saud family, sprawls across a vast desert site on the outskirts of Riyadh, where ancient sand-colored palaces blend into rows of palm trees. In the al-Turaif district, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, the capital of the first Saudi state — founded in the 18th century — stands out with its Najdi architecture made from sun-dried mud bricks. Around this archaeological gem, the new city of Diriyah is rapidly expanding. The goal is not only to attract 50 million tourists per year but also to create a city capable of hosting 100,000 residents by 2030. More on Riyadh's Vision 2030 Ten years later, what has become of MBS’s Vision...

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