From the Souq to the Mall: Shopping in Riyadh

Shopping in Riyadh, from the oud, gold and antiques of the souqs of Al Dirah to the luxury malls of Olaya and Al Hada and the big family malls of the north.

Riyadh shops in two worlds. In the old centre, the souqs around the Masmak still sell oud, gold and carpets by the scoop and the yard; along King Fahd Road and Olaya Street, glass malls hold the world’s fashion houses. The fun is in doing both.

The souqs of Al Dirah

Start around the Masmak and Deira Square, where the souqs of Al Dirah sell gold, oud and Arabian perfumes, textiles and abayas. Next door, Souq Al Zal, dating back to 1901, is the city’s most famous market, with antiques, old coins, handicrafts and carpets.

Come in the late afternoon or evening, when the market is liveliest, and remember that shops close briefly at prayer times.

Olaya and Al Hada

Olaya is Riyadh’s luxury mile. The Kingdom Centre Mall fills the base of the Kingdom Centre, with the lift to the Sky Bridge above; Al Faisaliah Mall sits at the foot of its tower beside Mandarin Oriental, and Centria Mall, at 210 Olaya Street, adds luxury brands and Lusin’s Armenian table.

Near the Diplomatic Quarter, Via Riyadh gathers luxury boutiques, restaurants and a cinema in low buildings of Tuwaiq stone around The St. Regis.

Riyadh shops twice a day: in the souq before sunset, and in the malls until late.

The malls of the north

For a long afternoon, head north. Riyadh Park, in Al Aqeeq on the Northern Ring Road, has some 256 brands; Panorama Mall, on Takhassusi Street, some 184, with a ten-screen AMC cinema and Fun City for children. Both open from 9am to 11pm, and from 1pm on Fridays.

Cenomi’s malls have Muvi cinemas: Al Nakheel Mall in Al Mughrizat and U Walk in Al Nakheel. For the evening, The Zone on Al Takhassousi is an open-air complex of pavilions, most of them restaurants, and The Esplanade pairs shops with Namu’s Korean barbecue.

Did you know? Souq Al Zal has been trading since 1901, Visit Saudi notes, long before the first towers rose on Olaya Street.

Our advice

Our advice: do the souqs in the late afternoon, then a mall for dinner. Haggle gently in the souq but not in the malls, carry a little cash for the stalls, and check prayer times before you set out.