Riyadh Travel Guide

Riyadh Shopping

You won''t find a street in Riyadh that doesn''t have a string of shopping malls, boutiques, or markets. Shopping centres can be confusing to foreign visitors however, as most have some restrictions on visiting hours for men, women and families. One of the biggest and fanciest shopping malls in Riyadh is Al Faisaliah on Olaya Road, which also has a fun park in the basement and is open to families and single women only from Wednesday to Friday. Al Mamlaka, also on Olaya Road, has a third floor Ladies Kingdom reserved exclusively for women. Kingdom tower offers great deals on luxury brands like Hugo Boss and Lacoste. Other popular malls include Sahara Mall on King Abdul Aziz Road, and Granada Mall near the airport.

There are two enormous sale seasons in Riyadh, taking place at the beginning and in the middle of the year. At these points, the shops in Riyadh offer bargains up to 90 percent off the regular price and the malls are accordingly packed with customers.

Riyadh also has a few traditional souks, including Souq al-Thumairi, which is most popular with tourists for its wide range of Arabic goods and English-speaking touts. Remember in Riyadh markets, haggling is obligatory.

Shopping in Riyadh is tax-free, so you can find good deals on luxury brands and high-end products. Popular Riyadh souvenirs include Persian rugs, leathergoods and handbags, and local jewellery.