Timeless Treasures: 7 Museums Display Saudi Arabia’s Heritage and Modernity
Saudi Arabia boasts a rich history and culture, reflected in a wide array of museums spread across the Kingdom.
From Riyadh to Makkah, the Kingdom has inaugurated a number of museums to showcase its authentic heritage, combining ancient culture with modern art. In addition, it has announced several new projects in many regions.
The coastal city of Jeddah has turned into a live museum, owing to the new historical projects launched in recent years, most of them centered around the UNESCO-listed Jeddah Historic District (Al Balad).
Museums in Saudi Arabia are relatively inexpensive, and most of them are free. Some museums dedicate specific times for families. The following are the best 7 museums in the Kingdom, according to List Magazine.
Borderless Jeddah
Inaugurated in June 2024, the teamLab Borderless Jeddah is the product of a collaboration between the Saudi Ministry of Culture and teamLab art collective, known for its previous exhibitions in New York, Paris, Singapore, and Beijing.
Over an area of 10,000 square meters, the first of its kind museum is located on the shore of the Al Arbaeen lagoon, overlooking the spectacular panoramic views of historic Jeddah. It exhibits over 50 experimental artworks designed by the teamLab art group using digital technology.
Desert X AlUla
In its third edition, Desert X AlUla brought together 15 artists to display their exhibits amid the extraordinary desert landscape of AlUla, including the 3000-year-old Iron Age temple complex of Tayma, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra.
Desert X AlUla is one of the exceptional museums. It is a collaboration between Desert X and the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) established to advance new cultural dialogue through art. Its third edition was organized under the theme “In the Presence of Absence,” as part of AlUla Arts Festival.
Bait Nassif Museum
Featuring 106 rooms, Bait Nassif (Nassif’s House) is not like ordinary museums; it is also a historical site. It was constructed in the late 19th century in the Jeddah’s Al Balad. It was also the home of King Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founder of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The house hosted ambassadors from around the world. Its walls are adorned with pictures of their visits, along with art works and Arabic calligraphy. Moreover, it is home to the oldest tree in the neighborhood, and likely the oldest tree in Jeddah.
The National Museum of Saudi Arabia
Located in Riyadh, the National Museum of Saudi Arabia exhibits one of the largest collections on the development of life, arts and culture on the Arabian Peninsula. It is part of the King Abdulaziz Historical Center.
It covers an area of 28,000 square meters and includes 8 galleries featuring exhibits on Arabia both before and after the advent of Islam. Additionally, the museum displays an exciting documentary telling the story of the Saudi State establishment. It also features a gallery dedicated to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture
Also known as Ithra, King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture is an architectural marvel in Dahran city, in the Kingdom’s Eastern Province.
The center encompasses one of the world’s outstanding museums, which consists of 5 galleries. It includes a library featuring more than 270,000 books, cinema and theatre as well as the Idea Lab and Ithra Tower.
Al Tayebat Museum
It is one of the most fascinating museums in Jeddah. This huge museum complex covers an area of 10,000 square meters. It consists of 12 buildings and more than 300 rooms. Many of the buildings are dedicated to exhibiting the city’s history and key events, such as the Siege of Jeddah and the Battle of Uhud.
Al Tayebat Museum showcases the traditional Hijazi architecture of Jeddah’s Al Balad over 15 years. It exhibits a wide range of artifacts, Islamic manuscripts, ancient tribal costumes and coins, in addition to weapons, furniture and utensils from across the Arab world.
Scitech Center
It is a unique destination for families and children. Located in Al Khobar, Prince Sultan Science and Technology Center (Scitech) features more than 350 interactive displays on natural history and space travel.
It also includes an astronomical observatory with a modern telescope and an IMAX cinema. Furthermore, Scitech Center involves 7 extraordinary scientific halls and a spectacular aquarium, making its one of the world’s most unique scientific museums.
