Diriyah Street Circuit
Location
Diriyah, Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia
Current Local Time
Track Info
Diriyah Street Circuit - Diriyah, Saudi Arabia
Fast and technical Formula E street circuit outside Riyadh - famous for its flowing Bobsleigh Run, desert dust and spectacular night races
When was the track built?
Diriyah is a temporary street circuit rather than a permanent race track. Roads beside the historic district were converted into a Formula E course for the championship's first visit to Saudi Arabia in 2018.
The track ran close to the historic At-Turaif district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Barriers, fencing, grandstands and other racing facilities were installed for the event before the roads returned to normal use afterwards.
When was its first race?
The first Ad Diriyah E-Prix took place on 15 December 2018. António Félix da Costa started from pole and won for BMW i Andretti Motorsport, giving the new Gen2 Formula E car a memorable competitive debut.
Diriyah made more history in 2021 when it hosted Formula E's first night race. Nyck de Vries won under the floodlights for Mercedes-EQ in what was also Formula E's first race after gaining FIA World Championship status.
What's the circuit like?
- Technical first half: Drivers face a long sequence of corners where accuracy matters more than outright straight-line speed.
- The Bobsleigh Run: Beginning around Turn 6, a rapid series of bends sends the cars from side to side between close barriers. Drivers have compared the experience to a rollercoaster or toboggan ride.
- Faster second half: Longer straights later in the lap provide opportunities to save energy, use the slipstream and prepare an overtake.
- Dusty surface: Desert sand can leave the track slippery at the beginning of a weekend. Grip improves quickly as the cars clear the racing line.
Formula E benchmarks
- 2018 winner: António Félix da Costa won the inaugural race after starting from pole.
- First night-race winner: Nyck de Vries won Formula E's first race under floodlights at Diriyah in 2021.
- 2023 qualifying benchmark: Jake Hughes recorded a 1:08.680 during qualifying before claiming his first Formula E pole.
- 2024 winners: Jake Dennis dominated the first race of the double-header, while Nick Cassidy won the second for Jaguar.
- Final Formula E visit: The January 2024 double-header was the championship's last event at Diriyah before the Saudi Arabian round moved to Jeddah.
Why go?
Diriyah offered something unusual even by Formula E standards. Electric race cars competed at night on narrow streets beside one of Saudi Arabia's most important historic areas, with floodlights illuminating both the circuit and the surrounding landscape.
The racing was easy to follow for newcomers because energy management and overtaking were both important. A driver could be quick enough to lead but still need to save electricity, creating opportunities for rivals later in the race.
Formula E no longer races at Diriyah. Saudi Arabia's championship event moved to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit from 2025.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Turns 1 and 2: A strong choice for race starts and overtaking as cars arrived at the opening braking zone after the start and finish straight.
- Bobsleigh Run: The most impressive section for watching pure car control, with drivers threading rapidly through a long sequence of narrow corners.
- Turn 18 area: One of the better overtaking locations, with drivers braking hard after a faster section of the lap.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Diriyah Street Circuit (Saudi Arabia)
Diriyah Street Circuit was a temporary Formula E venue around historic Diriyah, northwest of central Riyadh. The circuit is no longer used by Formula E, but visitors can still explore the surrounding At-Turaif and Bujairi areas where the racing took place.
Is the Diriyah Street Circuit still active?
The Formula E circuit is no longer an active race venue. Diriyah hosted Formula E from 2018 through the 2024 event, with its final races taking place on 26–27 January 2024.
Formula E moved its Saudi Arabian event to Jeddah from 2025, so there are currently no Formula E race-day grandstands, gates or spectator facilities to visit at Diriyah.
You can still visit historic Diriyah, but do not travel there expecting to find a permanent racing circuit.
Best way to get there
For most visitors staying in Riyadh, a taxi or ride-hailing service is the easiest way to reach Diriyah. It avoids parking concerns and is particularly convenient if you are visiting At-Turaif or Bujairi Terrace.
A rental car is also practical, especially if Diriyah is part of a wider trip around Riyadh, but check current road conditions before leaving because major redevelopment work can cause temporary diversions.
Driving & parking
- From central Riyadh: Diriyah is roughly 20 km northwest of the city centre.
- Navigation: use At-Turaif or Bujairi Terrace as your destination when visiting the former circuit area.
- Parking: current Diriyah visitor parking is available around attractions including Bujairi and Samhan.
- Road works: development around Diriyah can result in temporary closures and diversions.
- No race parking: former Formula E spectator car parks should not be treated as current visitor parking.
Use live navigation and check Diriyah's current visitor announcements shortly before travelling.
Public transport
Riyadh now has an extensive metro and bus network, but you should still plan for a road transfer for the final journey into historic Diriyah.
- From your hotel: a direct taxi or ride-hailing journey will usually be simplest.
- Metro: useful for travelling across Riyadh, after which you can transfer to a taxi for Diriyah.
- Event shuttles: do not rely on shuttle information from previous Formula E races because those events are no longer held here.
Riyadh airport
- King Khalid International Airport (RUH): Riyadh's main international airport.
- Airport → Diriyah: approximately 38 km by road.
- Driving time: around 30 minutes in light traffic, but allow considerably longer during busy periods.
- Easiest option: taxi, ride-hailing service, private transfer or rental car.
- Alternative: airport metro services can take you into Riyadh, but you will still need an onward connection towards Diriyah.
About the former circuit
Diriyah was one of Formula E's most distinctive street circuits, winding between historic walls and palm-lined roads near At-Turaif.
- Length: 2.495 km.
- Corners: 21.
- Type: temporary street circuit.
- Setting: historic Diriyah on the outskirts of Riyadh.
- Final Formula E event: January 2024.
Visiting the area today
Because the barriers, grandstands and Formula E infrastructure were temporary, there is no complete racing lap for visitors to walk or drive today. The main reason to visit is instead the historic setting around At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace.
The area is undergoing major redevelopment, so roads may look very different from photographs taken during the Formula E years.
Accessibility
Current visitor attractions at At-Turaif include accessible pathways. If you have specific mobility or parking requirements, check the latest Diriyah visitor information before travelling, as entrances and access routes can change during redevelopment work.
Diriyah Street Circuit is no longer a current Formula E venue. Road access, parking and attraction opening arrangements around historic Diriyah can change as redevelopment continues, so check official Diriyah information before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Diriyah Street Circuit (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
Diriyah’s former Formula E circuit wrapped electric street racing around one of Saudi Arabia’s most important historic areas. Although Formula E now races in Jeddah, the old circuit location remains an excellent base for exploring UNESCO-listed mud-brick palaces, Wadi Hanifah and the attractions of nearby Riyadh.
Family-friendly highlights around Diriyah
- At-Turaif: The essential Diriyah attraction. This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains restored mud-brick palaces, courtyards and galleries explaining the history of the First Saudi State.
- Bujairi Terrace: A modern dining and walking area overlooking At-Turaif. It is particularly attractive after sunset when the historic buildings are illuminated.
- Wadi Hanifah: Escape the city streets for landscaped parks, walking areas and open spaces running through the valley beside Diriyah.
Culture hits & hot-day winners
- At-Turaif galleries: Several small museums and exhibitions inside the historic district cover subjects including traditional architecture, horses and the story of Diriyah.
- National Museum of Saudi Arabia: Head into Riyadh for a much broader introduction to the history, archaeology and culture of the Arabian Peninsula.
- Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge: Ride high above Riyadh for panoramic views across the modern city - an easy contrast to historic Diriyah.
Eat & drink away from the circuit
- Bujairi Terrace: The easiest dining destination near the former circuit, with a large collection of Saudi and international restaurants overlooking At-Turaif.
- Try Saudi flavours: Look for traditional rice dishes, grilled meats, breads, dates and Arabic coffee if this is your first visit to the country.
- Riyadh: The capital offers everything from casual cafés and street food to high-end restaurants, making it easy to extend an evening after sightseeing.
Explore Diriyah outdoors
- Wadi Hanifah: Follow the valley for relaxed walks, green spaces and waterside areas including the Stone Dam and nearby parks.
- Walk through At-Turaif: A self-guided visit can take a couple of hours, with narrow streets, mud-brick architecture and viewpoints across the wadi.
- Go after sunset: Diriyah is especially enjoyable in the evening, when temperatures are usually more comfortable and the heritage district is illuminated.
Daytime heat can be intense for much of the year. Carry water and sun protection and leave longer outdoor walks for cooler parts of the day.
Easy trips if you have more time
- Historic Riyadh: Combine the National Museum with Al Masmak Palace to learn more about the development and unification of modern Saudi Arabia.
- Kingdom Centre: Visit the Sky Bridge for city views, then spend time exploring central Riyadh’s shops, cafés and restaurants.
- Boulevard Riyadh City: A large entertainment district with restaurants, shops and family attractions that comes alive in the evening.
- Edge of the World: For a complete change of scenery, travel beyond Riyadh to the dramatic cliffs of the Tuwaiq landscape. Allow most of a day and plan transport in advance.
Good to know when visiting Diriyah
- The circuit is temporary: Diriyah Street Circuit was built on public roads for Formula E, so do not expect to find a permanent race track or grandstands today.
- Formula E has moved: If your main goal is attending the current Saudi Formula E race, you need to travel to Jeddah rather than Diriyah.
- Check At-Turaif access: Visitor hours and ticket arrangements can change, so check the current Diriyah schedule before arriving.
- Plan around the heat: Even outside summer, sunny afternoons can feel hot. Evening visits work particularly well for Diriyah’s outdoor attractions.
Formula E no longer races at Diriyah Street Circuit. Attraction hours, access arrangements and events can change - check current information before travelling.