King Abdulaziz Racetrack

Riyadh


A popular weekend destination, the King Abdulaziz Racetrack exemplifies the Kingdom’s rich equestrian heritage. The 5000-seat grandstand flanks the finish line, and results from each of the 10 daily races are displayed via the electronic leaderboard. Trackside viewing areas offer the best vantage point of the finish line, as well as up-close encounters with the racing talent.

The grandstand cafe serves up cheap eats, but the fine-dining buffet restaurant is a good upmarket option, with fresh seafood, roasted lamb and a selection of local favourites, such as capsa, a traditional Saudi dish of chicken and saffron rice. The glass-encased eatery offers a bird’s-eye view of the racetrack, the surrounding palm-dotted farms and desert horizon.

The racetrack is open to the public but requires reservations. Bring your ID.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Riyadh attractions

1. Souq Al Jamal

11.52 MILES

One of the largest in the Arabian Peninsula, Riyadh’s camel market is a fascinating place to wander. Late afternoon is when the traders really find their…

2. World Sights Park

15.84 MILES

Get a tour of the world at this small and strange spectacle that holds miniature replicas of world landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal…

3. Sky Bridge

20.25 MILES

Not for the faint-hearted or sufferers of vertigo, here high-speed lifts fly you at 180km/h to the 99th-floor Sky Bridge, inside the Kingdom Centre. The…

4. Kingdom Centre

20.26 MILES

Riyadh’s landmark tower, rising 302m high, is a stunning piece of modern architecture – it’s particularly conspicuous at night, when the upper sweep is…

5. Antiquities Museum

21.3 MILES

This museum is home to objects found during the Faw and Rabdha excavations (sites in the south and north of Saudi Arabia) by King Saud University in the…

6. Globe Experience

21.46 MILES

The Globe Experience is a spectacular viewing platform inside an enormous glass ball that's 24m in diameter, made of 655 glass panels and suspended just…

7. Al Elb Dam

21.49 MILES

Al Elb Dam is a coveted wetland area within the city that offers miles of date-palm-lined walkways and shaded picnic spots. Visitors can stroll across the…

8. Addiriyah Park

21.62 MILES

Addiriyah Park is a favourite oasis in Riyadh, and its verdant terraced seating areas offer stunning views of Al Turaif, a historic district of Al…