15 things to do in Riyadh over the long Eid Al-Adha weekend: July 7 to 13
For those of you staying in the capital for Eid…
The moment we’ve all been waiting for is here, so let the Eid Al-Adha celebrations commence. This weekend, we’re expanding our leisure and entertainment programme to last a full seven days.
Here, you’ll find all the best ways to rest, dine, relax, and revel in Riyadh.
Thursday July 7
1. Start the long weekend off with a staycation at Durrat Al Riyadh Resort
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Nestled within 154,000 square metres of lush tropical landscaped gardens, the Durrat Al Riyadh Resort & Spa is a sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Located about 30 minutes’ drive from the city centre, the resort is home to 121 rooms, 31 luxurious suites and ten private villas, each with an outdoor swimming pool. Add in the mini-golf, outdoor pool for men and children, a ladies’ indoor pool, access to the surrounding nature surrounded by beautiful ponds, and you’ve got yourself a long weekend winner. Who knew hotels in Riyadh could feel like such a holiday?
Durrat Al Riyadh Resort & Spa, King Fahd Road, Exit 6, Durrat. Eid villa packages start from SAR2,450 (excluding tax). Tel: 055 7796090. @durrat_alriyadh_resort
2. Enjoy a ladies’ night dinner outing
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Round up your girlfriends and head to Crowne Plaza Riyadh Minhal Hotel to check out the Ladies’ Night offer. Every Thursday, you ladies get 50 per cent off the dinner buffet, where you can enjoy a lavish spread of Middle Eastern and international dishes. We like the sound of that.
Ladies’ Night, every Thurs, Crowne Plaza Riyadh Minhal Hotel, Old Airport Road, Al Wizarat, Riyadh 11484. Tel: 011 874 9200. @crowneplazaminhal
3. Indulge your inner chocoholic
In celebration of World Chocolate Day on July 7, Elements at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh promises delicious treats complete with bespoke touches. Be spoilt for choice with its chocolate fountain and chocolate indulgence experiences featuring rich and creamy chocolate-themed delights and the freshest, handcrafted pastries.
Chocolate Indulgence at Elements, Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, July 7, 7pm to midnight. Tel: 011 211 5500. @fsriyadh
Friday July 8
4. Catch the new action movie “Hot Seat”
Oscar-winner Mel Gibson brings this explosive cyber-thriller to life. The action begins as IT expert Friar (Kevin Dillon, Poseidon) finds a hair-trigger bomb strapped to his desk chair. An unseen hacker orders him to steal digital funds online – or have his daughter abducted. As a fearless bomb expert (Gibson) arrives on the scene, the hacker frames Friar as the bomber. The tension mounts as Friar races to clear his name and expose the real terrorist – without getting himself blown to smithereens.
Action, Mystery & Thriller, Rating PG15, 1h 44min. Book your tickets here.
5. Delight your loved ones with Eid gifts from Bateel
Chocolates are a dependable gift for any occasion, Eid included. And you can’t go wrong with Bateel’s Eid Al-Adha gifting sets. Bateel offers various delectable creations, including an exquisite selection of single-origin chocolate truffles, pralines, and ganaches, as well as the buttery biscuit royales and dragées. From wooden presentation boxes with a mirrored glass finish and carton gift sets to bespoke trays and curated hampers, Bateel gift sets radiate charm and elegance like no other.
Saturday July 9
6. Book an Eid Al-Adha brunch at Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences
Eid brunches in Riyadh are one of the best ways to celebrate the occasion. Teatro restaurant at Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences is serving up a lavish buffet with live cooking stations, a children’s play area, and a mocktail station with unlimited beverages.
Eid Al-Adha Brunch, Teatro Restaurant, July 9 & 10, 1pm to 4pm, Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences, 6623 Eastern Ring Rd, Ghirnatah, Riyadh 13241. SAR299 excluding taxes. Tel: 011 234 6666. @hiltonriyadh
7. Pamper yourself with a Moroccan hammam session
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The Spa / Nail Shop at U Walk is a feel-good cocoon: You can have a traditional and luxurious hammam experience followed by natural beauty treatments and a heavenly body massage. Then, once relaxed and happy, you can finish your day by taking a moment to relax with a delicious tea. And this Eid, they’re offering a royal Moroccan bath, regular manicure, and pedicure for only SAR800.
The Spa/Nail Shop, U Walk, Sat to Thurs 2pm to 10pm. SAR800 for the Moroccan royal bath and regular mani & pedi package; applicable until July 12. Tel: 053 622 2573. @thespasa
Sunday July 10
8. Strawberry picking at a local farm
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What’s better than eating red, juicy strawberries? Picking them yourself. At Hanging Strawberry Gardens, you get to hand-select what you bring home while making memories and enjoying a one-of-a-kind experience.
Hanging Strawberry Gardens, Al Amariah, Riyadh 13726, Eid Al-Adha opening hours (only from July 9 to 12), 7am to sunset. SAR30 for each box of strawberries. Tel: 053 791 3881. @hanging_strawberry_gardens
9. Enjoy an unmatched dining experience amidst lush green surroundings
Gather with your loved ones at Nofa Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Resort and enjoy a special Eid Al-Adha buffet dinner. Tuck into an international buffet spread featuring the finest meats, seafood, and decadent desserts. In addition, there will be a live music performance to further elevate the mood for your Eid Al-Adha celebrations.
Nofa Resort Riyadh, a Radisson Collection Hotel, Riyadh Makkah Highway, Exit 857, Riyadh, 66223, Saudi Arabia. The Eid Al-Adha buffet dinner is available on the second and third day of Eid Al-Adha, priced at SAR350 for adults & SAR175 for children ages five to 11 years. Tel: 011 521 2300 / 058 289 5714. @radissoncollectionriyadh
Monday July 11
10. Indulge in Meraki’s new lunch set menu
Explore the mouth-watering flavours of a globally renowned Greek haute cuisine experience this summer with Meraki’s newly launched lunch set menu. Available exclusively on weekdays, the three-course set menu features ten beloved dishes, such as beef gyros tacos, Mykonian salad, Saganaki prawns, salmon tagliatelle, and baby chicken and includes soft drinks and coffee. Begin with Melitzanosalata, followed by choice of one starter, one main and one side, which are then rounded off with a selection of premium ice cream. For those looking to indulge in the classic Meraki lunchtime experience, the restaurant’s à la carte offering will also be made available.
Meraki Riyadh, North Wing, 1st Floor, King Fahd Rd, Al Olaya, Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh 12212. Lunch Set Menu, Sun to Thurs 1pm to 4pm. SAR285 per person. Tel: 9200 1050. @merakiriyadh
11. Have a bouncing good time at GO trampoline park
Looking for kid-friendly activities this Eid holiday? GO family entertainment centre has reopened at Sahara Mall. This indoor playground boasts Goal! indoor football field, bowling club, arcade games, and a soft play area. If you’ve got energetic kids, let them leap and soar across the various trampoline zones.
GO Non-Stop Fun, Sahara Mall, King Abdulaziz Road and King Abdallah Road Intersection, Riyadh 12272, Sat to Wed 3pm to 11pm, Thurs & Fri 3pm to midnight. Tel: 055 123 1518. @go4fun.ksa
Tuesday July 12
12. Keep cool with Yauatcha’s ice cream
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Yauatcha is shaking things up by introducing their wonderfully creamy ice cream. Offering trusty flavours like pecan coffee, hazelnut, pistachio, and date, for those feeling extra indulgent, their honeycomb vanilla will more than satisfy a sweet tooth.
Yauatcha Riyadh, Mode Mall, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Rd, Al Olaya, Riyadh 12212, daily noon to midnight. Tel: 9200 06555. @yauatchariyadh
13. Experience the thrill of smashing things
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Blow off steam in the best way possible at Smash Time. So, suit up, grab a baseball bat and head into the room, where you can throw, bash, and smash some of the best range of breakables for you to take out your aggression on. If you’re ready to release all of your rage in a fun and safe activity, this will be the best thing you do all week.
Smash Time, Abi Bakr As Siddiq Rd, An Narjis, Riyadh 13323, daily 4pm to 1am. The price starts from SAR97. Book here. Tel: 055 786 4433. @smashtime_sa
Wednesday July 13
14. Get your fix of kunafa and coffee at Circles Lounge
Who doesn’t love the traditional Arabic dessert kunafa? The ingredients may be few, but the taste is rich and irresistible. And the good news is Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road has launched ‘Kunafa Wednesdays’ where you can enjoy the sweet treat, paired with a selection of teas and coffees, at the hotel’s all-day Circles Lounge. The crunch of vermicelli, layers of mozzarella cheese, the rose and orange blossom-scented sugar syrup topping, and a variety of garnishes will have you polishing the plate off in no time.
Kunafa Wednesdays, 3pm to 7pm, Circles Lounge, Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road. SAR38++ for kunafa and beverages or SAR25 for kunafa only. Tel: 011 521 0000. @courtyardriyadhnorthernring
15. Chill and watch poignant Arab films on Netflix
Discover the work of Arab women filmmakers as Netflix has released a specially curated collection of 21 Arab films spanning various genres, such as documentaries, drama, and romance, on the ‘Because She Created’ platform. Cinematic masterpieces like Nariss Nejjar’s ‘Stateless’ reflects North African history from a female perspective, and Suha Arraf’s ‘Villa Touma’, Leyla Bouzid’s ‘A Tale of Love and Desire’, Fatma Zamoun’s multi-character drama ‘Parkour’ and Suzannah Mirghani’s ‘Al-Sit’ – all bring fresh, unique and underrepresented narratives to life, placing the female perspective front and centre. Highly recommended is ‘Sanctity’ by Saudi filmmaker Ahd Kamel, a story about a young Saudi widow who tries to protect her unborn child.
The ‘Because She Created’ collection can be accessed here. @netflixmena
Images: Provided / Instagram