Must-see shopping in Saudi Arabia

  • Madina Made

    Saudi Arabia

    The products in this shop are of real quality and are guaranteed to be made in Medina by locals. Purchasing something here means supporting the small…

  • Jarir Bookstore

    Jeddah

    Jeddah's best bookstore, with the city's widest selection of English-language books including guidebooks, maps and excellent titles on local and national…

  • Jarir Bookstore

    Riyadh

    The excellent Jarir Bookstore has the best range of English-language books in every genre, from classic literature to modern popular novels, but most…

  • Medjool dates, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Middle East

    Souq

    Jeddah

    Jeddah's souq, immediately south of King Fahd Rd, is well worth seeking out. It's subdivided into sections, some populated by different immigrant groups,…

  • Princess Souq

    Riyadh

    Urban legend has it that Saudi royals used to ditch their pricey handbags here, but in reality it’s unlikely you’ll find any couture. The city’s largest…

  • Tabuk Souq

    Tabuk

    Split into sections like a historic souq, this cluster of hundreds of shops offers every product imaginable. There's the sports souq, one for thobes (men…

  • Central Dates Market

    Saudi Arabia

    No Muslim visits Medina without purchasing some of the city's famous dates, and there's no better place to get them at bargain prices than at this market,…

  • Hail Souq

    Saudi Arabia

    This is the best place in town to grab a souvenir or local handicraft piece. Hail's traditional souq area is split into sections selling the traditional,…

  • Abraj Al Beit Towers

    Mecca

    These towers feature a prayer hall that can accommodate up to 10,000 people and – perhaps incongruously – a five-storey mega shopping mall. The 601m-tall,…

  • Abdul Samad Al Qurashi

    Saudi Arabia

    This 167-year-old Saudi perfumer sells the premium smell of Arabia – the height of luxurious Arabian oud and musk. This little shop, under Royal Inn Al…

  • Mall of Dhahran

    Eastern Province

    One of the biggest malls in the Eastern Province, Mall of Dhahran is a one-storey shopping centre that includes high-street international brands and home…

  • Eataly

    Riyadh

    It's perhaps not the first place you'd think of while in town, but if you need a break from Middle Eastern fare, the food here will transport you from…

  • Al Nakheel Mall

    Riyadh

    Although there are plenty of shopping malls in Riyadh, the Al Nakheel Mall is already a firm favourite of locals and visitors. It's spacious, with a…

  • Khayyam Al Rabie Est

    Jeddah

    For dates, nuts and nibbles at discount prices, head straight for the famous Khayyam Al Rabie Est. With its fairy lights and floor-to-ceiling rows of…

  • Al Othaim Mall

    Eastern Province

    Al Othaim Mall is built to look like a gigantic ship – there’s no way you can miss it. The four-storey shopping centre boasts 392 shops, ranging from high…

  • Kingdom Tower

    Riyadh

    With more designer outlets than you can shake a Gold Amex card at, Kingdom Tower has even dedicated the entire 2nd floor ('Ladies' Kingdom') to women only…

  • Sky Shopping Mall

    Riyadh

    When it first opened, the Sky Shopping Mall was the designer mall outlet, home to the likes of Harvey Nichols. But in a country where building shopping…

  • Dammam Souq

    Eastern Province

    For an experience and prices far removed from the large shopping malls of the city, head to the open-area Dammam Souq (also known as the Ladies' Market)…

  • Gold Souq

    Riyadh

    Riyadh's gold market is in the old neighbourhood of Ad Dirah, off Al Thumairi St and is part of the Thumairi Souq. It is probably the best place to try to…

  • Souq Al Thumairi

    Riyadh

    For handicrafts and local fare, head to Souq Al Thumairi, immediately south of Masmak Fortress in the Al Diraiyah area. The shops in the small lanes offer…

  • Uwais Souq

    Riyadh

    Selling gold jewellery and beautiful fabrics among other items (including those from the odd flea-market stall), this is a traditional market and one of…

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