Qiddiya City skyline and cliffs
Back to Destinations

Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia

The world's first built-for-purpose entertainment megacity, rising from the desert cliffs

By Danilo Sarcinelli· Updated June 2026

Timezone

AST (UTC+3)

Language

Arabic / English

Currency

SAR (﷼)

Best Time

Nov to March

Qiddiya City is a multi-billion dollar futuristic megacity designed from the ground up to be the ultimate global capital of entertainment, sports, and culture. Rising from the desert landscape west of Riyadh, the city is designed specifically for the next generation of gamers, anime fans, and thrill-seekers.

For geeks and gamers, Qiddiya is a dream come true. The city hosts the world's first-ever Dragon Ball theme park, covering over 500,000 square meters with 7 themed zones based on the classic sagas and a 70-meter Shenron dragon coaster. A matching 500,000 square meter Gaming & Esports District serves as an urban hub for competitive gaming, featuring four professional arenas, team academies, and gamer-centric hotels.

Six Flags Qiddiya offers 28 high-adrenaline rides, anchored by Falcon’s Flight—set to become the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster, plunging down the vertical face of the 200-meter Tuwaiq cliffs. The Speed Park Track features 'The Blade', a futuristic race track designed to host F1 with an elevated cantilever section rising 20 stories above the ground.

Qiddiya is a physical manifestation of science fiction and digital culture nestled within Saudi Arabia's striking cliffs. As the city prepares to open its doors in phases, it is shaping up to be the highest-quality purpose-built entertainment city on Earth. Welcome to Qiddiya.

2-Day Qiddiya Megacity Itinerary

Maximize your time in the world's first entertainment city with this focused, step-by-step itinerary.

1

Day 1: Anime Lands & High-Thrill Coasters

  • Morning (9:30 AM): Start early at the **Dragon Ball Theme Park**, exploring the scale replicas of Kame House and Capsule Corp.
  • Afternoon (2:00 PM): Head over to **Six Flags Qiddiya** and line up to ride **Falcon\'s Flight** coaster down the vertical cliff face.
  • Evening (7:00 PM): Walk over to the **Performing Arts Centre** for a tech-integrated digital theatre performance.
2

Day 2: Digital Arenas & Cliffside Vistas

  • Morning (10:30 AM): Tour the academies and arenas in the **Gaming & Esports District**, and grab lunch at a gamer-themed cafe.
  • Afternoon (2:30 PM): Take a high-thrill walk across the **Cliffhanger Glass Bridge** for sweeping views of the Tuwaiq cliffs.
  • Evening (6:30 PM): Finish with racing simulators and a tour of the elevated track cantilever at the **Speed Park Track**.
A high-tech holographic arena within Qiddiya's massive Gaming & Esports District during a major gaming tournament

Gaming & Esports District — the future of competitive digital entertainment

Best Time to Visit

Winter (November-March)

The absolute best time to visit. Temperatures are highly pleasant (15-25°C) with clear desert skies, making outdoor theme parks and roller coasters comfortable all day.

Summer (June-August)

Extremely hot. Summer temperatures in the Saudi desert regularly exceed 45°C. Outdoor activities are highly restricted, and visiting the parks is not recommended during mid-day.

Shoulder Months (April & October)

Warm but manageable (25-35°C). Hotel rates and flights are generally cheaper, and indoor gaming halls are fully air-conditioned.

Getting Around

Qiddiya City is located 40 minutes west of central Riyadh. High-speed transit options connect the megacity to the capital.

Transit OptionBest ForPayment MethodPro Tip
High-Speed Shuttle BusesTransit between central Riyadh (hotels) and Qiddiya City gatesDigital Ticket / PassRuns frequently from major transit hubs in Riyadh and is included in major event tickets.
Riyadh Metro Line ExtensionDirect rail connection from King Khalid Airport and downtown RiyadhMetro Card / AppCurrently in expansion phases, this will bypass freeway traffic completely.
Autonomous Pods / TramsTraveling between districts inside Qiddiya (Gaming, Six Flags, Speed Park)Free / IntegratedSelf-driving electric pods provide continuous, carbon-neutral loop service.

Safety & Practical Info

Saudi Arabia is generally a very safe country for international travelers, with low rates of violent crime. However, it is important to respect local customs and laws. Dress modestly in public spaces (shoulders and knees covered).

Desert sun is extremely intense. Drink plenty of water (bottled water is widely available and cheap) and wear sunscreen. Emergency services can be reached by dialing 911.

Tipping is appreciated in restaurants and hotels (typically 10-15%). The economy is highly digital, with credit cards and Apple Pay widely accepted everywhere.

Tap water is generally not used for drinking in Saudi Arabia. Stick to bottled or filtered water. Pharmacies are widely available in Riyadh and throughout Qiddiya City.

Qiddiya City Travel FAQ

Qiddiya is located approximately 45 kilometers west of Riyadh, next to the Tuwaiq cliffs. It takes roughly 40 minutes to reach by car from the center of the capital.

Yes, the city is building multiple themed hotels, including luxury properties, desert resorts, and dedicated gaming hotels where guests have in-room high-performance PCs and direct connections to regional esports networks.

Schedule your trip between November and March. Winter temperatures average a pleasant 15°C to 25°C, whereas summer desert heat easily exceeds 45°C.

Yes, travelers must obtain a Saudi tourist visa. The Kingdom offers a quick eVisa system online for citizens of over 60 countries, which is typically processed within 10 minutes.

Ready to Explore Qiddiya City?

The future of travel and competitive entertainment is rising. Plan your journey to the world's most ambitious gaming and theme park city.

Where to stay

Book your base in Qiddiya

Compare hotels near the action and lock in your stay. Booking early beats the convention-season crunch — and you keep your itinerary flexible.

Search Qiddiya hotels on Expedia

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

New · AI-Powered

Build Your Geek Trip with AI

Pick your destinations, dates, and fandoms — our AI planner builds a day-by-day itinerary that blends our curated nerd spots with each city's must-see attractions, complete with maps and travel-smart routing. Your first itinerary is on us.