Kingdom Centre Tower

The Kingdom Centre is one of Riyadh's most recognisable skyscrapers, a 302-metre tower topped by a distinctive inverted-parabola opening, spanned by a 'Sky Bridge' observation deck connecting the two prongs at the summit. From the Sky Bridge, 99 floors up, you get a sweeping panorama over the vast, sprawling Saudi capital and its desert surroundings, especially dramatic at sunset and after dark, when the city lights stretch to the horizon. The tower also houses a luxury mall and hotel below.

It's the easiest high viewpoint in Riyadh and an architectural icon, lit in changing colours at night. Go up toward sunset for the day-to-night transition. The mall beneath (with its women-only 'Ladies Kingdom' floor) reflects the city's character, and it's a comfortable, air-conditioned stop in the desert heat.

Don't miss

• The Sky Bridge observation deck at the summit
• Panoramic views over Riyadh and the desert
• The distinctive inverted-arch architecture
• Sunset and night views, with colour-changing lighting
• The luxury mall and hotel below

Good for

How travelers rate it

Know before you go

• Go up toward sunset for the best light and the city lights coming on.
• The Sky Bridge between the two summit prongs is the highlight.
• The mall below is a comfortable, air-conditioned escape from the heat.
• The tower is lit in changing colours at night, striking from the city too.

A bit of history

Completed in 2002, the Kingdom Centre was developed by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal and became an emblem of modern Riyadh, its distinctive bottle-opener-like silhouette and Sky Bridge making it one of the city's most photographed buildings.