What to do in Saudi Arabia - Latest News

Jeddah has introduced a new summer spot for women looking to relax by the sea — Bambi Beach, a women-only beach pop-up open now along Al Amwaj Front. As part of this year’s Jeddah Season, the pop-up will stay open until October 23, offering a private and welcoming space for women aged 16 and above. The entire beach is styled in pink-themed décor, including loungers, umbrellas, and inflatables. Guests can swim freely with access to a floating pontoon, or unwind on inflatables under the sun. On-site food options include casual bites from Xbite and refreshments from Sunset Cafe. As for...

Riyadh is welcoming a new name in the global art and design scene. Known for its high-profile exhibitions in Moscow, ARTDOM is making its Gulf debut in Saudi Arabia with a two-day event on November 11-12, 2025 at Saraj Venue, located on Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Road. This marks a new chapter in the Kingdom’s cultural growth, bringing together 55 international exhibitors, many of whom are showcasing their work in the region for the first time.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by ARTDOM EXPO (@artdom_design) The event will highlight a carefully curated mix of...

Riyadh continues its hotel boom with the latest addition to its hospitality scene – Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al Sahafa. Located in the capital’s growing Sahafa District, the hotel is just 20 minutes from King Khalid International Airport, offering easy access for business and leisure travellers alike. It’s also within close reach of Riyadh Boulevard, King Salman Social Centre Park, and the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) – making it a practical base whether you’re in town for meetings or a weekend break. The hotel features 171 rooms and suites, with many offering skyline views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Rooms are...

Madinah International Book Fair 2025 is underway and welcoming readers, families, and culture lovers from across the Kingdom. Now in its fourth edition, the fair runs until August 4 at the King Salman International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Entry is free, and the fair is open daily from 2 PM to midnight. Visitors will find an extensive range of titles across literature, science, Islamic studies, and more. There’s also a diverse cultural programme including: Seminars Dialogue sessions Poetry evenings Creative workshops Prominent authors and cultural figures will join these events, offering a deeper look into various topics and ideas. At...

Riyadh International Book Fair 2025 is officially coming back on October 2-11, hosted at King Saud University. This annual event draws huge interest from across the country and abroad — and for good reason. In 2024, over a million visitors came through the doors, and this year’s edition promises a wide selection of books, authors, and cultural experiences once again. Visitors can expect a massive collection of books from publishers around the world. Whether you're into fiction or nonfiction, academic titles or art books, there’s something for every interest and reading level. Genres range from contemporary novels and memoirs to...

Saudi Arabia is back in the race for the tallest building in the world. Construction on the long-awaited Jeddah Tower (Burj Jeddah) has officially resumed, and once complete, it’s set to rise to at least 1,000 metres — well beyond the height of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, which currently holds the record at 828 metres. Officially known as the Jeddah Economic Company Tower, the structure has been in the works for over a decade. After years of delays, the project is once again moving forward. The city can already boast 172-meter flagpole — the tallest in the world, — and with Burj...

UK-based barefoot footwear brand Vivobarefoot has officially launched its regional e-commerce platform, vivobarefoot.me, making its products directly available across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman. Operated by Andy Enterprises LLC, the brand’s authorised distributor in the region, the launch offers a tailored shopping experience for customers in the Gulf. Known for promoting natural foot movement and functional design, Vivobarefoot shoes are a minimal alternative to traditional footwear. The signature features — wide toe boxes, thin soles, and zero-drop construction — are designed to improve posture, strengthen feet, and allow the body to move as naturally as possible....

If you’re planning to stream Squid Game 3, you can now match your snack game to the series. Maestro Pizza has launched a special menu in partnership with Netflix, offering themed items based on the hit show — and it’s available for a limited time in Riyadh. The highlight is 456 Pizza, inspired by the show’s lead character and visual motifs. Topped with chicken, green peppers, and finished with a ranch swirl, the pizza channels the colours and mood of Squid Game. It comes in medium or large sizes, with a choice of dough, plus the option to customise further...

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new work visa classification system for foreign workers, changing how job roles are evaluated and assigned across the country. Starting August 3, 2025, all new work visa applicants will be placed into one of three skill levels — high-skilled, skilled, or basic. Until now, work permits were mostly issued based on job titles, without clear links to a person’s actual qualifications or experience. The new system has already taken effect for current foreign workers as of July 5, 2025. Skill Level Categories for Foreign Workers in Saudi Arabia High-skilled Includes roles like engineers, doctors, and...

CINEHOUSE, located at One Square on King Abdulaziz Road, offers a new kind of night out in Riyadh. Since opening in 2020, it has become the city’s first arthouse cinema with a restaurant, offering a curated selection of films alongside a full dining experience. Inside, you’ll find three small screening rooms, each with a more personal, relaxed atmosphere than the usual multiplex setup. The cinema’s weekly lineup mixes arthouse favourites, cult films, and new commercial releases — all selected to appeal to a range of filmgoers.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by CINEHOUSE بيت...