Diriyah Museum

Diriyah Museum sits in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, inside an 18th-century palace that has been turned into a place to learn about the region's past. Visitors come to understand how the area took shape, and to see the story of the House of Saud told in the very kind of building where that history unfolded. You move through a series of galleries that follow the region's history from its earliest chapters. Expect to hear about the House of Saud, the nation's royal family, and about the tribe that lived here before the settlement of Diriyah in 1446. The palace is itself part of the display, so it is worth pausing to look at the building as well as what it holds. The museum is open from 17:00 to 02:00, which makes it a good choice for an evening visit, and there is no minimum age, so families can bring children of any age. Diriyah has deep meaning in Saudi history. It lies along Wadi Hanifah and is known as the birthplace of the Saudi state. The district of At-Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the centre of this heritage and is known for traditional Najdi mudbrick architecture. The museum's palace is a fine example of that Najdi style, so a visit helps you read the buildings you will see around the wider area.