RIYADH: Riyadh is renowned for its exceptional shopping experiences that cater to all tastes. From luxurious malls to traditional marketplaces, the city offers a diverse range of shopping destinations.
Whether shoppers are trying to find something traditional and distinctive or simply looking for fashionable and high-end items, the Saudi capital has it all.
The city warmly welcomes visitors and shopaholics alike to explore its numerous shopping destinations, including shopping malls, boutiques and traditional marketplaces.
Shopping malls
People today no longer visit malls solely for their shopping needs. Instead, they seek out locations that offer a complete experience for entertainment and shopping. Fortunately, Riyadh has a plethora of malls waiting to be explored.
The city boasts a diverse selection of shopping malls, each offering its own particular atmosphere and amenities. From the bustling Riyadh Front to the trendy Via Riyadh, and from the iconic Kingdom Center to the vibrant Riyadh Park Mall, visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to finding the perfect shopping destination.
Riyadh also offers a fusion of entertainment and shopping in its modern malls. The Kingdom Center, for example, not only houses luxury brands but also features a Sky Bridge that offers panoramic views of the city.
Additionally, many malls in Riyadh boast family-friendly attractions such as indoor theme parks, cinemas and gaming zones, ensuring that there is something for everyone.
Boutiques
Boutiques in Riyadh offer many options for the fashion enthusiast. From quaint, independently owned boutiques to upscale, luxury destinations, Riyadh has a range of options to cater to every taste.
Exploring the boutiques in Riyadh is a delightful experience, and driving along Al-Olaya Street is the perfect way to do so. Among the exceptional locations for boutiques in the city is the renowned Centria shopping center. This upscale destination boasts a collection of luxurious boutiques and is a hub for numerous global brands.
Riyadh’s boutiques often serve as a platform for local designers, promoting their creativity and contributing to the growth of the fashion industry in the region.
Traditional marketplaces
Generally speaking, old market centers are located mostly within the Ad Dirah area in downtown Riyadh and have multiple small shops. Traditional markets at Ad Dirah include Souq Al-Zel, Al-Maigliah Market Center and Al-Suwailim Street.
In the past and even now, traditional marketplaces have proved to be popular shopping destinations. These old market centers are mostly found in downtown Riyadh.
Markets such as Souq Al-Zel have a rich history, with roots dating back to 1901. In earlier days, people would visit the market to buy essential home supplies, and it also served as a social gathering place for the community.
Hamad Al-Janoubi, a trader at Souq Al-Zel, has been in the business for 53 years.
“Lately, there has been an increase in the number of visitors at Souq Al-Zel,” he said. “We witness daily arrivals of buses carrying groups of tourists. Diplomats, royals, ministers and individuals of high status frequently visit the souq.
“Today, our souq is old. Yet, whenever you wanted mishlah (traditional men’s outerwear) you will find it here.”
Traders at traditional markets sell a variety of classic Saudi products, which may be slightly expensive. For instance, a shopper at Al-Maigliah Market Center can find items such as oud, mishlaḥ, abayas, censers, honey, carpets, attire, spices and perfumes.
