Saudi museum named world’s ‘most beautiful’ for 2025

Diriyah Art Futures in Saudi Arabia capital Riyadh has been named in the 2025 World’s Most Beautiful list by architectural awards Prix Versailles, making it one of just seven museums chosen globally and the only one from the Middle East. 

The museum, which opened its doors in November 2024, is recognised for its “outstanding architecture, meaningful visitor engagement and ability to reflect local heritage”. 

This accolade follows a strong showing for the region in hospitality design, with three Middle East hotels, including Shebara in Saudi Arabia and Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in the UAE, named among the "most beautiful" hotels for 2025 by the same awards.

Diriyah Art Futures is located in Diriyah, a Unesco World Heritage Site and US$63 billion sustainable tourism development that was recently recognised as one of Time’s 100 Most Influential Companies for its transformational impact on culture and urban development.