23 top things you should know before coming to Riyadh
Making your life a tad easier…
I love Riyadh. That’s enough of an opening statement, but I’ll give you a bit more. The city is full of amazing things to do and check out, but there are some things that can make them even better. Here are the things you should know before coming to Riyadh.
Overestimate traffic but NEVER underestimate it
The traffic IS awful out here. We’re talking jammed streets for most of the day, so we’d suggest constantly checking Google Maps to see if there’s a traffic jam wherever you’re headed and to plan out your trip well in advance by leaving at least 30 minutes (and that’s still cutting it a tad too close) in advance before you’re meant to be somewhere.
The shiny new metro is the way to go
First announced in 2014, the long-awaited Riyadh Metro welcomed its first guests on Sunday December 1 and has since become fully functional. The huge public transport system is a part of Saudi Arabia’s wider Vision 2030; the Riyadh Metro project is set to transform public transport in Riyadh. The opening of the Riyadh Metro project will reduce congestion in high-traffic zones and is expected to be used by more than 1 million passengers annually.
Dress modestly
While abayas are not a requirement in the country anymore, men and women are still expected to dress modestly. Unless clearly stated, beaches also require modest clothing. Shirts with sleeves are recommended along with long pants, trousers, or loose skirts and dresses.
Bolt out of any situation
We’ve all been there. You need to get out of somewhere, and you need to do it fast. And while all other ride-hailing apps are perfectly good, Bolt is one we’d recommend for those quick getaway car-type moments.
Explore the old Riyadh
While we love the shiny Riyadh, with our Boulevard World and City, King Abdullah Financial District, and all, I still constantly fall in love with Diriyah, and I don’t just mean the stunning Bujairi Terrace and At-Turaif; there’s also Alsamhania with its quaint cafes and restaurants, which is simply a must-visit. I’m a bit of a history buff myself, so in my opinion, the beautiful Masmak Fortress and Murabba Palace.
Do the cheap stuff
Riyadh can get very expensive, much like Dubai, Paris, or any modern city you think of. But it doesn’t have to be. You can go to one of the many parks and wadis like Namar and Hanifah for completely free, or go on a walk (while the weather is still good). You can grab cheap eats at one of the many local shawarma shops, starting at approximately SAR8 for a small one. Drive up to the edge of the world and enjoy the scenic location, or go to Riyadh Season zones like Dunes of Arabia for just SAR15.
Get things delivered to you
I don’t know about you, but I, for one, am the epitome of lastminute.com. I’ll never remember to get things until I’m practically squeezing out the last few drops of my moisturizer or contact lens solution (this has happened more than once). And when I find myself alone at 1am, too lazy to go out after a busy day of What’s Oning, I love the convenience of ordering essentials and having them delivered right to my doorstep. Take your pick from ninja, Nana or noon minutes, and make your life much easier.
Stores no longer close during prayer times
It’s a common misconception that stores and malls still close down during prayer times, and although that’s still the case with a few stores, most malls do stay open during the five daily prayers.
Exercise outside while you can
Hot girl walks (hot man walks just don’t have the same ring to them) are all the rage this season. For the next month or two, the weather will still be just as amazing as it is right now, so you can go running, attend outdoor exercise sessions with communities like the RWG Community, Riyadh Hiking, and more.
Get petrol delivered to you
This one of the Saudi apps is definitely going to be one you want to bookmark for the next time you’re caught in a pinch. Providing roadside assistance like towing, tire, battery, fuel, and locksmith services for your car, Morni is a one-stop
Other essential apps
Riyadh is a city that basically runs on its apps, and whether it’s food you’re after, groceries, or getting your laundry done, there’s an app for it. Read our full list of 26 apps you need to have while in Saudi.
The summer is as bad as it comes
I fear the rumours (i.e the credible weather reports) are in fact true; summers in Riyadh are very painful. However, we’re very lucky to live in Riyadh, where there’s so much to do indoors. Read our complete guide here.
Your mobile service providers
When looking for a KSA number, the list of mobile service providers is small but mighty. Take your pick from stc, Zain, Mobily, Jawwy, and Virgin.
Have your Airdrop off
This one you’ll have to take with a grain of salt. If you have your Airdop on, you’ll get an influx of numbers and social media IDs getting sent to you constantly every five minutes (give or take), so unless you really need to get photos from a friend, keep this one off.
It’s all about cafes out here
Cafe culture is huge with a capital H here. Everyone has at least one (or five) favourite spot to hang out at. Coffee is no laughing matter in the capital, so take a look at our list of the best cafes here and pick yours.
Make sure you have the right visa
Travelling to the Kingdom has never been easier. With multiple Saudi visas for a variety of different purposes, you can now apply for the right one and begin your journey to the wonderful country. Read our full guide here.
There IS a nightlife
Contrary to popular belief, Riyadh has an active nightlife. Complete with venues like MDLBEAST’s Beasthouse and LA Lounge, the city is bursting with an underground music scene like no other.
Community events are great
If nightlife isn’t really your scene, there are several more low-key events happening at venues like Level Up and Sociale like cookie decorating, trivia nights, workshops, and more.
Read up on Ramadan
And not just Ramadan. Saudi culture is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world. It is the Holy Month, the most important time of the year for Muslims, with a profound and deeply meaningful reason behind its practices. Ramadan is a period when Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, or smoking between sunrise and sunset. Lasting about a month, it marks the time when the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
Fridays are always off
There seems to be a bit of a disconnect when it comes to this, but one of the main things you should know before coming to Riyadh is that Fridays are always off. Always. The holiest day in Islam, quite a few stores and restaurants are closed until the Friday prayer.
Book a room on AirBnB or Gathern
When you don’t want to go the traditional hotel route, AirBnBs and Gatherns are the way to go. Offering rooms in all areas of Riyadh, the two are perfect for whenever you want to book and accommodation. That’s not all though; you can also get chalets, resorts, and more.
Luxury is at the heart of the city
For shopaholics, Riyadh is quite literally the dream. Luxury malls like Solitaire, Centria, Kingdom, and Via Riyadh offer incredible shopping options for when you have a taste of the finer things in life.