Tourism in Diriyah Takes a Leap with Hal Al-Qusoor Exhibition of Historic Castles

Published on November 25, 2025

For the first time, the District of Diriyah in Saudi Arabia warmly welcomes visitors from all corners of the globe to its six historic castles, recently opened to the public for the first time at the Hal Al-Qusoor exhibition. This exhibition, a cultural first for all Saudi citizens, allows the public a glimpse into the history of a once visually inaccessible piece of Saudi state history. In At-Turaif, a World Heritage Site from UNESCO, bordering an exhibition scheduled to take place from 11 February 2026, is a new building for the first time for many of the employees in the state.

Comprising of a building in the style of the Najdi architecture that consists in Saudi Arabia for Diriyah a brick for many its in larger instills long been principal; however, in the history of the country the castles’s history has been a negative public. At the Hal Al-Qusoor exhibition, both internal as well as external tourists are expected to take an interest in the historically important structures and the early history of the Saudi country to help preserve an important piece of the architectural and cultural heritage of the place.

At-Turaif is a UNESCO World Heritage site

At-Turaif is a former district of Diriyah and the first capital of the first Saudi State and it holds immense historical value. The district is famous for its architectural style known as the mudbrick and sandstone model. As a site of the UNESCO World Heritage, At-Turaif holds an important part of the Saudi Arabian heritage and history, going as far back as the 18th Century, when Diriyah was the political powerhouse of the Arabian Peninsula.

The historical importance of the district is significantly amplified with the exhibition of the six castles of the Hal Al-Qusoor exhibition. These were the first castles built for Saudi Kings in the early years of the Saudi State and speak volumes of the architectural and cultural value of the period. The exposition not only showcases the incredible workmanship of the tools of the constructors and craftsmen of the period, but also depicts some of the socio-political aspects of the royal families of Saudi Arabia which have shaped its modern socio-political aspects.

Hal Al-Qusoor: A Window into Saudi History

Members of the Hal Al-Qusoor exhibition seek to offer an authentic glimpse of the history, culture, and architecture of Saudi Arabia and the surrounding region. Each of the six meticulously preserved and restored forts captures a unique segment of Diriyah’s history. With the use of interactive displays, relics from the past, and guided sessions, the audience gets an opportunity to appreciate the milestones in the formation of the Saudi state, and its rich culture.

Every castle in the site displays a carefully curated collection of historical memorabilia centered around a specific incident, the people, and the architectural styles in use. The effect created by the integration of old artifacts and furniture of the castle is an invitation to the audience to take a walk into the past and experience the early days of the Saudi state. Also, the exhibition underlines the profound cultural traditions of Saudi Arabia to its attendees, and how the country has become a modern state today.

In line with Saudi Arabia’s vision to promote cultural tourism, the exhibition also demonstrates the Kingdom’s efforts to preserve its history and make it available to the world. This is the first of many steps the country is taking to market its cultural assets and develop the tourism industry, which is part of the Saudi Vision 2030 goals of diversifying the economy.

The Growth of tourism in Diriyah and elsewhere in the country.

The Hal Al-Qusoor exhibition is one of many in the series of planned events aimed at positioning Diriyah as one all-time favored tourism destinations in the country. The district is currently home to a number of cultural and historical sites, with the Diriyah Gate project currently redefining the area and offering new attractions as a major cultural hub. This makes Diriyah a unique place to enjoy all along with contemporary tourism.

Diriyah is becoming one of the most visited places in Saudi Arabia, and this increased popularity is not only impacting Diriyah, but the entire region as well. People visiting Diriyah’s region get to see the local attractions including restaurants, cultural places, and markets. Increase in visitors in the region is likely to improve growth in areas like hospitality, transport, and retail. The increase in visitors in the region is positively impacting the region and improving Saudi Arabia’s position in the world as a cultural and heritage tourism destination.

If you are visiting Diriyah to see the Hal Al-Qusoor exhibition, you should check the exhibition schedule and consider booking in advance. The exhibition is public for limited days. Thus, it is better to plan in advance so as to be able to attend the exhibition. The exhibition participants are also able to join guided tours available in multiple tours to learn more about the six castles in the region.

Diriyah also accommodates families with synchronised historical and interactive exhibits, making it an ideal place for family cultural activities.

For people staying in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the ease of travel to Diriyah makes it very popular. Travellers can take modern transport such as buses and private charters to quickly access Diriyah to understand and appreciate the city’s history. The increasing tourism and transport options make Diriyah very popular to all tourists wanting to appreciate Saudi Arabia’s culture even more.

Conclusion

For Saudi Arabia’s cultural tourism, the first opening of Diriyah’s six historic castles to the public, as part of the Hal Al-Qusoor Exhibition, is a very exciting event. Now, Saudi Arabia, to all potential tourists, is proudly displaying the country’s rich heritage and history and invites the entire world to understand and appreciate the unique past and lively culture of the Kingdom. With significant and ongoing cultural preservation and tourism investment, Diriyah has the potential to be a most important cultural and history travel destination in all of the Middle East.