Background: There is a considerable misconception about epilepsy in our community and it is commonly linked to evils possession. The study was conducted to obtain the perception about epilepsy in the capital city, Riyadh. Methods: Using a questionnaire survey in Arabic (native language) that contains 10 items regarding epilepsy, we interviewed, face-to-face, a sample of 749 persons, divert in (age, sex and educational backgrounds), selected randomly in public places. Results: Most respondents (77.4%) mentioned that they had a prior knowledge about epilepsy. Although 52% believed that epilepsy is an organic disease, 15% of individuals linked devils to epilepsy. This correlated with their educational level as those with high education were more likely to link epilepsy organic causes (p= 0.008). Many respondents (37%) preferred spiritual and religious rituals as a treatment either solely (20%) or concomitant with medications (17%). Although most respondents (61%) would accept an epileptic patient for a job, 71% mentioned that they would refuse marrying someone with epilepsy. Conclusions: Although the majority of the public know about epilepsy, many still link it with evil spirit possession. Religious healers were chosen either alone or with medical treatment as a preferred method for treatment by considerable number of them. More education and epilepsy campaigns are needed in our community to counter act the misconception and stigma of epilepsy.