Riyadh moves fast. The highways are loud. The screens never stop. And somewhere between back-to-back meetings and bumper-to-bumper traffic, your brain starts asking for green. Not a flight somewhere. Not a fancy hotel. Just open air, soil, palms, and the quiet that actually rest your mind. The good news is that farms in Riyadh are closer than you think, more varied than you’d expect, and genuinely worth your weekend.
Here’s a proper look at the best ones.
The Al Ammariyah Strawberry Farms
About 40 kilometres northwest of Riyadh lies Al Ammariyah. The terrain is hilly. The air is noticeably cooler. In the past, the area served as a vital agricultural stop for farmers thanks to its fertile soil and groundwater, known for its palm groves and wheat fields. Today, its strawberry farms have become one of Riyadh’s most talked-about escapes.
The farms offer hands-on experiences that reconnect visitors with the land, transforming traditional agricultural work into interactive activities. You grab a basket. You walk through hanging rows of plump red berries. You pick what you want and eat it right there. It’s that simple, and it somehow hits differently than anything you’d do in the city.
The farms also offer live workshops on organic farming, and cookery sessions on strawberry-based products like juices, jams, and desserts. Kids love it. Adults find it oddly grounding. Rustic-style cafes and shaded rest areas overlook the orchards, creating a tranquil space where visitors can unwind and enjoy the scent of fresh strawberries and the surrounding serenity.
Best Time to Visit: The season runs from roughly January through late April. Entrance is often free. You pay only for what you pick, typically around SAR 30 for a container. Weekends get busy, so an early morning visit is smarter.
Amazonia Nursery Farm
Still in Al Ammariyah, Amazonia Nursery Farm takes a different approach. Between the hills of Al Ammariyah, plant lovers can explore a variety of herbal plants, vegetables, fruits, and flowers, including roses and Japanese houseplants. It’s part garden, part market, part lazy afternoon.
There is a coffee house in the middle of the farm that also provides an ice cream corner and unique house plants, including Japanese indoor plants. Along with the coffee house, there is a bakery serving Lebanese pastries like manakish and stuffed flatbread, as well as burgers and fried items.
It’s not a sprawling farm stay. It’s a genuinely pleasant few hours outside the city. The place is spacious and relaxed. You wander, you eat, you probably leave with a plant you didn’t plan on buying.
When to Visit: It opens daily from 4pm to 1am. Good for evenings when you want to decompress without committing to a full day trip.
Al Zahrani Farm and Al Rashid Date Farm, Wadi Hanifah
Wadi Hanifah is not just scenery. It’s a living agricultural corridor running 120 kilometres through Riyadh. Driving up and down the Wadi Hanifah road, you’re surrounded by date trees sprouting up from behind farm walls. The farms here have been feeding this region for generations.
Al Zahrani Farm and Al Rashid Date Farm both sit within this valley. They represent the kind of traditional Saudi date farming that city life has largely hidden from view. Walking through either farm during harvest season means watching the entire process up close. The palms tower above you. The air smells earthy. It genuinely feels like another world. The open space network along Wadi Hanifah was designed to preserve the historic farm patchwork and connect agricultural land with the urban fabric, integrating natural and built elements including exhibitions of traditional farming.
Ornithologists praise Wadi Hanifah for its abundance of bird life. Grebes, cormorants, herons, and egrets are among the 300-plus bird species attracted by the wetlands, lush greenery, and adjacent farms and palm groves. So pack binoculars if that’s your thing.
Best Time to Visit: The best months to visit are October through March. Access is easy by car from the Diriyah side of the valley. Go on a weekday if you want quiet.
Aseel Resort’s Farm Collection, Diriyah
Aseel Resort sits in the historic Diriyah region, roughly ten minutes from Wadi Hanifah. It manages a named collection of farm spaces, each with its own scale and purpose.
The collection includes the AD Diriyah Farm at 1,500 square metres for up to 40 people, the Wadi Farm for 20 people for intimate gatherings, the Samhan Farm for up to 15 people, the Khozama Farm for small groups of 6, and Al Nakheel Farm accommodating 50 people indoors and up to 150 outdoors.
Aseel Resort was created as an ode to the Kingdom’s history and Najdi artistry. The design reflects traditional Najdi architecture throughout. It doesn’t feel like a generic event space. The resort is nestled within three kilometres of Al Bujairi Heritage Park and is a ten-minute drive from Wadi Hanifah.
Who is it ideal for: Al Nakheel Farm is the best choice for large families or group overnight stays. The Khozama Farm works perfectly for couples or small families wanting something private and contained. Bookings go through the Aseel Resort website directly.
Al Amaaria Village
Al Amaaria Village sits 35 kilometres from central Riyadh, spread across 60,000 square metres, and is described as the first sports and entertainment facility of its kind near Riyadh. It combines green outdoor space with proper activities.
The village offers a rope course, zipline, lush green areas for picnics and nature walks, a cinema hall, and a luxurious Andalusian tent for private gatherings. Activities include team building, sport activities, family and kids parks, hiking, and more.
Ideal for: It’s suited for groups of 30 to 90 people. Not the spot for a quiet solo afternoon, but perfect for family reunions or corporate outings that want something beyond a hotel ballroom.
When to Go, What to Expect
October to Late April is the golden window for farms in Riyadh. During winter and spring, Al Ammariyah enjoys lower temperatures than central Riyadh, making it visually and climatically refreshing. Summer visits to outdoor farms are tough. Plan morning or evening trips if you do visit in warmer months.
Most farm stays and chalets near Riyadh are bookable through Almosafer, Airbnb, and direct resort websites. Book weekends at least a few days in advance. Prices vary widely based on capacity and amenities.
The City Will Still Be There on Monday
Riyadh isn’t going anywhere. The traffic will still be there. The notifications will pile up. Monday will arrive on schedule, completely unbothered by your absence.
But there’s something that happens when you spend a few hours picking strawberries in Al Ammariyah, or walking slowly past date palms in Wadi Hanifah with no particular destination in mind. Your shoulders drop. Your thoughts slow down. You remember that not everything needs to be fast or productive or optimised for something.
That’s what farms in Riyadh quietly offer. Not luxury, not spectacle. Just space. Real, unhurried, unscheduled space.
The kids come back muddy and happy. The group chat fills up with photos of someone holding a strawberry the size of their fist. The drive home feels lighter than the drive out.
And at some point, probably around Sunday evening when the city starts pulling you back in, you’ll already be thinking about the next one.
Good. That’s exactly how it should feel.
FAQs
What are the best farms in Riyadh for a weekend getaway?
The Al Ammariyah Strawberry Farms for a seasonal eco-tourism experience, Aseel Resort’s farm collection in Diriyah for an upscale nature stay, and the farms along Wadi Hanifah for a more traditional and peaceful visit are all strong choices.
Are there private farm stays in Riyadh with a swimming pool?
Yes. Several private farm chalets in Riyadh, particularly around the Diriyah and Dirab areas, come with private pools and BBQ facilities. Aseel Resort also features a plunge pool on its grounds.
When is strawberry picking season at Al Ammariyah?
Typically from January through April. Entrance is often free, and you pay around SAR 30 per picking container.
Can I do a day trip to farms near Riyadh without staying overnight?
Absolutely. The Al Ammariyah Strawberry Farms, Amazonia Nursery Farm, and the Wadi Hanifah farm corridor are all accessible for day trips.
Are these farms suitable for children?
Yes. Most farms around Riyadh are family-friendly. Al Ammariyah farms offer picking, workshops, and open spaces for children. Al Amaaria Village has dedicated kids’ activities and play areas.
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This article is brought to you by Soul of Saudi (a Saudi travel blog dedicated to uncovering the beauty, heart, and soul of the Kingdom).
