A large cultural complex north of the old city centre, encompassing the National Museum, Murabba Palace, gardens, and several heritage buildings. The complex covers the history of the Arabian Peninsula from prehistoric times to the modern kingdom, with the National Museum as its centrepiece — eight galleries tracing the story from the Arabian plate's prehistoric geology through the Bronze Age, the rise of Islam, the Ottoman period, and the founding of Saudi Arabia.
Murabba Palace itself, the square mud-brick royal residence built in 1937, has been carefully restored and displays personal items, photographs, and documents from the reign of Ibn Saud. The palace compound also includes a small museum dedicated to traditional crafts. The complex is well laid out, with gardens connecting the buildings, and can easily absorb a half-day. The National Museum is free on Fridays. Open daily.