King Salman Park 2025: The World's Largest Urban Park Taking Shape in Riyadh

In the heart of Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh, one of the largest urban projects in the Kingdom's and the world's history is taking shape. King Salman Park is not just an ordinary park, but an integrated project combining nature, culture, arts, and entertainment, becoming the "Green Lung" of Riyadh and a global destination placing the Kingdom on the cultural tourism map. In this comprehensive guide, we explore everything you need to know about this exceptional project.

Project Overview

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz launched the King Salman Park project in March 2019, initiated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as part of four major projects to transform Riyadh into one of the world's most livable cities.

Total Area: 16.6 square kilometers

Estimated Cost: $25 billion (SAR 94 billion)

Location: Former Riyadh Airport site (King Salman Air Base)

Comparison: 5 times the size of Central Park in New York

Strategic Location and Accessibility

The park's location in the heart of Riyadh makes it easily accessible from all parts of the city. The park is served by an integrated transportation network including:

Riyadh Metro: 5 stations on the Green Line

Buses: 10 Riyadh bus network stations

Major Roads: 6 main roads connecting the park to the city

Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Tunnel: 2,430 meters long for enhanced connectivity

Royal Arts Complex: The Cultural Heart

The Royal Arts Complex is one of the project's most prominent landmarks, spanning over 500,000 square meters. Designed by the late Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill following "Salmani Architecture" principles that blend heritage with modernity.

World Cultures Museum: 110-meter tall tower

National Theater: 2,300 seats with latest technology

Medium Theater: 650 seats

Cinema Halls: 3 halls

Library: Over 250,000 books

Royal Institute for Traditional Arts

The complex houses a specialized institute with three academies to develop Saudi artistic talent:

Traditional Visual Arts Academy: Painting, sculpture, and fine arts

Cultural Heritage and Restoration Academy: Heritage preservation

Performing Arts Academy: Acting, directing, and production

Green Spaces and Environment

Green spaces constitute over 70% of the park's total area, making it a natural oasis in the city center:

Trees: Over one million trees

Gardens and Parks: 11.6 square kilometers

Design: Small valleys and rock formations inspired by the Najd region

Environmental Impact: Improved air quality and reduced temperatures

Entertainment and Sports Facilities

The project provides a diverse range of entertainment and sports facilities for all ages:

Royal Golf Course: 850,000 square meters

Water Park: 140,000 square meters

Entertainment Zone: 100,000 square meters

Sports Complex: 50,000 square meters

Outdoor Theater: Capacity for 8,000 spectators

Latest Developments and Partnerships 2025

2025 witnessed significant developments in the project, including:

Strategic Partnership: $1 billion with Ajdan and SEDCO Capital

Residential Project: 600 residential units + 200-room hotel + 45,000 m² offices

International Award: RIBA Middle East Awards - Future Projects category

New Contracts: SAR 3.85 billion to Saudi companies

Economic and Social Impact

The project is expected to bring significant transformation to Riyadh's quality of life:

Job Opportunities: 70,000 new jobs

Tourism: Global destination for culture and arts

Environment: Increased per capita green space

Quality of Life: Among the world's most livable cities

Conclusion

King Salman Park is not just an urban project, but a comprehensive vision for the future of Saudi cities. As the opening date approaches, this giant park will become a global destination combining nature, culture, arts, and entertainment, affirming the Kingdom's position as a leading destination in the tourism and entertainment industry worldwide.