8 awesome things to do in Riyadh this weekend: Apr 1 to 3
Time to get out and see the city…
Are you ready for the weekend? Here are eight awesome activities to kickstart your April.
Thursday April 1
Step outdoors to appreciate Riyadh’s urban art
View this post on Instagram
The street art craze is taking the Kingdom by storm. Take a stroll around the abandoned warehouses’ area in Diriyah, and you’ll find an open-air museum of art, painting, and murals by graffiti artists from around Saudi Arabia.
Ad Diriyah, Al Jadidah, PGVP+X5, daily 9am to 6pm. Free entry.
Don’t miss the Nozomi Garden pop-up in DQ
View this post on Instagram
Craving for Japanese? Nozomi Garden is one restaurant that needs to be at the top of your list right now. Its variety of salads and sashimi are all first-rate, but its wagyu fillet kabocha from the Robata menu is a particular highlight. Our favourite spot to enjoy its delicious food is undoubtedly on the terrace. Don’t say we didn’t warn you, but you have till next weekend to enjoy this pop-up. What are you waiting for?
Nozomi Garden, Diplomatic Quarter, Oud Square, Al Safarat, MJFG+Q2, Sun to Wed 3pm to 11pm, Thurs to Sat 1pm to 11pm. Tel: 920 022 395. @nozomirestaurants
A bookstore every bibliophile should visit
View this post on Instagram
Tucked away within the Back Yard complex, this charming little shop has an assortment of books, an abundance of natural light and a counter for takeaway coffee. It’s the type of bookstore that begs you to stay awhile and browse, even if it only sells Arabic titles. We’d suggest bringing your own novel, grab a cuppa, pull a chair and perhaps, just hang out for a while.
Book Club, Back Yard (directly behind Tameesa restaurant), King Abdul Aziz Branch Rd, Al Yasmin, Fri 4pm to 11pm, Sat to Thurs noon to 11pm. Tel: 059 527 1745. @book_club77
Friday April 2
An egg-cellent Easter lunch awaits at Crowne Plaza RDC
View this post on Instagram
Hop over to the Mosaic Restaurant for an Easter egg-travaganza. The team has curated menus for adults and kids, making this restaurant the place for families to celebrate the occasion. You can enjoy a selection of delish grilled meats, seafood platters and much more. Fun activities for the kids include the egg hunt, egg decoration, bunny sack race, and a special appearance by the Easter Bunny himself.
Mosaic Restaurant, Crowne Plaza RDC Hotel & Convention Centre, An Nakheel, PJQM+6R, Fri, April 2, 2pm to 6pm. Adult SAR250, Child (10-14 years) SAR125. Tel: 011 813 1313. @cpriyadhrdc
Enjoy replicas of the world’s famous landmarks
View this post on Instagram
It’s time to tick off an item on your list of the world’s most iconic sights. The best part? You don’t even need a round-the-world ticket. Just an hour of your time at the World Sights Park, and you’ll be well-travelled. This park features scaled versions of iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall of China, and the Sydney Harbour. There are also Saudi landmarks, including the two Holy Mosques, Al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, as well as the Unesco World Heritage Site Hegra.
World Sights Park, 7164 Nasir Ar Rajihi, Al Mighrizat, QP6P+V5, Tues to Sun 4pm to midnight. Adult SAR11.50, Child (3-11 years) SAR6.
Saturday April 3
Go trekking and stand on the edge of the world
View this post on Instagram
Jebel Fihrayn – or the Edge of the World, as it is aptly named – is a desert trek that runs along the Tuwaiq escarpment about 75km from Riyadh city centre. Hikers can choose from a range of routes to get to the top, but with rugged terrain, steep climbs and loose gravel, good walking shoes are advised. Once you’ve reached the cliff edge, you’ll be greeted by breath-taking views across the barren valley floor and to the horizon. Fun fact: The region was part of an ocean bed, so keep an eye out for fossils.
Edge of the World, WXVR+WW. Best to go in a 4×4 vehicle.
A glimpse of what life in Saudi Arabia looked like 500 years ago
If you’re planning to visit the Edge of the World, be sure to include a trip to Sadous Heritage Village on your way back. Sadous is one of the oldest villages in the Najd region. Much of the village has been reconstructed using traditional techniques, but you’ll also get to see some of the original ruins, which have been left untouched.
Sadous Heritage Village, Sadus 15453, X6V5+H3, every Fri & Sat 11am to 4pm. Free entry.
Sweat it out at this cycling and yoga retreat
View this post on Instagram
Keen cyclists and yogis, this five-hour wellbeing journey is for you. Start off with a bicycle ride, exploring the surroundings, followed by a sunset yoga led by Sakura Retreat founder Ghalia Khaldi. After all that rejuvenating escape for your mind and body, indulge in a delicious healthy dinner with a selection of nourishing foods for the soul. It’s a fantastic opportunity to make friends and interact with a like-minded community. Just don’t forget to bring your yoga mat.
Cycle & Sunset Yoga, Near Malham, Sat, Apr 3, 3pm to 8pm. SAR600 per person. Sign up here. @flowwithgee
Images: Instagram