The Edge of the World is among the best attractions near Saudi Arabia’s capital. It’s a cliff formation that offers incredible views of the desert landscape from various angles.
Edge of the World was my favorite place to visit during my time in Saudi Arabia, and I have raved and ranted about it to others ever since.
With limited tours available to the attraction, finding my way to the Edge of the World was not initially easy.
In this blog post, I’ll share the tour I selected to make my visit successful and what you can expect when visiting.
Other Blog Posts You May Enjoy:
The Edge of the World Riyadh Tour I Booked
Finding group tours in or near Riyadh in general was very difficult. Knowing what is legit is hard, and they often cost hundreds of dollars.
I researched several other blogs to learn about the experiences of others who decided to take the journey on their own.
I honestly didn’t find many recaps that convinced me to try to do the same, especially given how far the site was from the city center.
Thankfully, I found this tour on Get Your Guide that was affordable and included transportation to the site, a guide, and snacks.
The only thing is that the tour requires at least two people, so if you are traveling solo, you may have to either agree to a higher rate with the guide or message and ask beforehand if it is okay to attend solo.
While I traveled to Riyadh solo on this trip, I have a friend who lives in the city, and I invited her to come with me, so it ended up working out!
Where is Edge of the World?
The Edge of the World is about 40 minutes to 1 hour west of Riyadh.
On the morning of the tour, we met our tour guide, Abdul, in front of a bookstore in Riyadh, and we began the drive to the Edge of the World in a Land Cruiser.
Our guide was amazing, pointing out different sites and cool things to know on our way up, and even provided us with snacks for the morning, which would come in handy.
Inside of the Tour
The tour I booked began in the Tuwaiq Mountains, where we drove on a narrow path to a wider area that provided some of the best views I’ve ever seen.
We spent some time there, and our guide even provided us with drone footage of the area, which was a beautiful addition to the experience and allowed us to leave with a souvenir of our time at the Edge of the World.
After spending about 30 minutes there, we drove about 10 minutes to the entrance of the Darb Al-Manjoor trail.
The trail is an ancient route in Saudi Arabia that was once used for travel and trade.
I’m not sure if a walk on the trail is usually included in the Edge of the World tours, but it was a great addition to the start of the day.
The trail takes about an hour to walk at a normal pace, and there are many places to stop along the way for great pictures and views.
I highly recommend this tour and would book it again. Abdul was incredible from the time he picked us up to going above and beyond to get us amazing pictures, and he made it a great experience.
What to Bring to the Edge of the World
You don’t need to worry about bringing much outside of the everyday items you would probably bring due to being outdoors, but these are items I would recommend taking with you:
- Sun Hat
- Sunglasses
- Portable Charger
- Binoculars
- Camera Gear
If you are going on a guided tour, you can leave some things in the car, so you can also keep that in mind when packing a bag.
Best Time to Visit
The weather in Riyadh is a huge factor to consider when visiting the Edge of the World.
Generally, it is extremely hot from May to September, with cooler months from October to April.
I recommend planning your trip around the cooler months, as it will likely be more enjoyable.
Tours to the Edge of the World are usually split into morning and evening tours.
I did the morning tour because I wanted to start my day outdoors rather than ending it that way, so I would say it depends on the experience you want.
How to Dress
Dress for both the desert climate while remaining respectful to the cultural norms.
Lightweight, breathable clothing is best—long-sleeved shirts and loose pants are likely best for sun protection and modesty.
Sturdy, closed-toe shoes or hiking boots are crucial for navigating the rocky terrain.
I would not wear open-toed shoes under any circumstances, as there is some climbing involved, and you could have an accident.
During cooler months, a jacket and/or scarf are helpful, as you will be up in the mountains and it will be a bit chilly.
Is it safe to visit the Edge of the World?
If you will be visiting the site alone or without a guide, it is important to know that there are no barricades around the perimeters of the cliffs, which means that nothing stands between you and nature.
I would be very careful driving and walking at all times, especially around the cliffs.
Abdul did a great job of making sure we did not stand in certain slippery spots, and I was very grateful to have him.
Is it worth visiting the Edge of the World?
It is worth visiting! The Edge of the World was my favorite experience near Riyadh, and I often find myself rewatching my videos from my time there because it was so beautiful and grand.
