Riyadh offers more for visitors than outsiders typically expect. The historical heart of the city, the Qasr al-Hukm District, rewards slow walking: the Masmak Fortress, the old markets, and the remaining Najdi mud-brick architecture tell the story of the desert settlement that became one of the world's fastest-growing capitals. The modern city — Kingdom Centre, Al-Faisaliah Tower, the new metro — speaks a different language entirely. The National Museum at the King Abdul Aziz Historical Centre is the best starting point for understanding both.