There’s plenty of ways to identify a city: from its post-code, its landmarks, its skyline or even its architecture — but color? Not always the first thing that comes to mind, although the historic neighborhood of Diriyah is now making a solid case for why it should be. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has been granted with a shade of its own, dubbed “Diriyah Tan”— a sandy tone that pays homage to the sunbaked clay walls and earthen textures that have long defined the Kingdom’s cradle.
بألوان مستوحاة #من_هالأرض!
نعتز في #شركة_الدرعية بالإعلان عن تعاون إبداعي مع @pantone، لإطلاق “لون الدرعية”، الذي يجسّد الهوية الثقافية للدرعية ويعكس عراقة تصاميمها؛ حيث يأتي هذا التعاون تأكيدًا على التزامنا بتسخير الإبداع والابتكار للحفاظ على تراثنا العريق. pic.twitter.com/j7LjnbTyjf
— Diriyah Company l شركة الدرعية (@DiriyahCo) April 9, 2025
In collaboration with the Pantone Color Institute, the color was developed to splash most buildings and public spaces across Diriyah, unifying the city’s visual identity while staying true to its roots. Launched on April 9, the shade was revealed as part of Diriyah’s ongoing cultural revival efforts, positioning “Diriyah Tan” as a symbol of heritage preservation, national pride, and design-forward thinking in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s birthplace.
“Diriyah Tan is a timeless tribute to At-Turaif and our new landmarks like Bujairi Terrace and Bab Samhan Hotel. It instantly connects people to Saudi Arabia’s cultural soul,” said Diriyah Co. Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo in a released statement. “Diriyah Tan bridges history and progress. Its earthy warmth mirrors the textures of At-Turaif’s structures, reinforcing Diriyah’s role as a beacon of learning and youth empowerment,” Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute added.
Sure, not every city gets its own Pantone — but what if they did? We took a wild, highly unofficial stab at assigning colors based on vibes alone. Scroll on to discover which shade your city might claim on the spectrum.
ALGIERS
CAIRO
TUNIS
DUBAI
MUSCAT
