Salwa Palace

Salwa Palace is the largest palace complex in the At-Turaif District of Diriyah, north-west Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was the seat of the rulers of the first Saudi state in the 18th century and sits at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace is built in the Najdi style, with thick mud-brick walls, palm-trunk roofs, geometric window cut-outs, courtyards and multiple wings that housed the ruler's family, offices and reception halls. It is also the site associated with the treasury and the mosque nearby. Visitors enter through the At-Turaif ticket, about SAR 50-100, and walk through restored rooms and exteriors, with signage explaining the roles of each space. A visit to Salwa Palace takes 45 to 60 minutes, and it is normally part of a two to three hour circuit of the district. Hours follow At-Turaif, typically 10:00 to 24:00 Saturday to Thursday and 14:00 to 24:00 on Friday. Late afternoon is a good time to visit, with softer light on the earthen walls, and evening brings lighting. The best photo angles are the long palace walls from the lanes, the courtyard openings and the view of the palace from the wadi side. Crowds are heaviest on Thursday and Friday evenings and during events, while weekdays are calmer. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes for stone and sand surfaces, bring water outside the cooler months, and dress modestly. Ride-hailing to At-Turaif from Olaya costs about SAR 35-60. The palace is close to the museums and the wall viewpoints, so it is straightforward to combine with them.