What to do in Riyadh - Latest News

Chocolate lovers, here's something new to add to your list. Bateel has introduced Riyadh Style Chocolate, a new treat inspired by Saudi Arabia's most familiar flavours. The new creation features ingredients often associated with local hospitality, and yes, you can probably already guess a couple of them: dates and coffee. So what else will you find inside the bar? Organic dates Qahwa notes Cardamom Saffron Kunafa View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bateel (@bateelgourmet) Riyadh Style Chocolate is available as a chocolate bar and as a box of assorted chocolates, both presented in Saudi green packaging. You...

A shopping trip, dinner plans, a movie night. Sounds like an exhausting day? Not if you're doing it all at The Avenues Riyadh. This huge new mall is coming to the intersection of King Salman Road and King Fahad Road in north Riyadh, and the first details are already here. If shopping is your thing, set aside a few hours. More than 100 stores will open here, and some of the brands already confirmed: American Eagle, Foot Locker, Victoria's Secret, H&M, Bath & Body Works, Charlotte Tilbury, and Ulta Beauty. Maybe you'll end up spending more time eating than shopping....

How many apps does it take to keep your life organised these days? Somehow we're all juggling so much information that it's easy to lose track of things. Google has a cute answer: a new AI app called Dreambeans. It takes information scattered across Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Photos, YouTube, and Search history and turns it into personalised daily stories. Each one comes with AI-generated artwork inspired by your plans, interests, and everyday life, making it feel like a page from your own storybook. Here's how it works: Dreambeans looks at information from your connected Google apps, finds links between...

If you've spent extra time in Riyadh traffic lately, that might change soon. Saudi Arabia has launched a new traffic relief initiative in six busiest business districts of the city. It introduces flexible working hours at more than 50 government entities, giving employees a wider window to start their working day. Employees will be able to choose their arrival time within the following periods: Civil Service Law: 5:30 AM to 9:30 AM Labour Law: 7 AM to 11 AM Workers in healthcare, education, and other essential public services are not part of the new arrangement. The following Riyadh districts are...

Riyadh summers are known for being hot, but August is about to bring a different kind of heat. Electronic music fans, this one's for you: Ministry of Sound is coming to the capital for the first time this summer. Fans who have spent recent years at Soundstorm and Balad Beast now have another date to look forward to. After all, Saudi Arabia has been a magnet for electronic music events in recent years, and there are no signs of things slowing down. The legendary dance music event will make its Saudi Arabia debut on August 7, 2026. For now, only...

If your feed could use some good news today, here's one: Saudi Arabia has recorded its first onager birth in more than 100 years. The announcement was made by the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, home to the young newcomer. The onager is one of the world's rarest wild equids. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), fewer than 600 remain in the wild. In 2025, the species was added to the Critically Endangered list as experts warned its population could fall sharply in the coming decades. The male onager was born in June 2025, but...

Three of Meta's biggest apps are getting upgrades. Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp now have Plus subscription plans with extra features and customisation options. Let's take a look at what each plan offers and how much it costs. Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus: Features and Price Instagram remains one of Meta's most popular apps, and the company is putting most of the new features there. So, what do you get if you decide to upgrade your account? Story rewatch statistics Stories that stay up longer than 24 hours Posting to profiles and highlights without appearing in followers' feeds Super Heart animated...

If you’re constantly saving restaurant spots and food recommendations from bloggers, Riyadh has something coming up that might fill your must-try list for the rest of 2026. On June 2, the city will host the official Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia Gala. Pretty much everyone big in Saudi Arabia’s restaurant world will be there, from chefs and restaurant owners to food writers and influencers. One of the biggest moments of the night will be the unveiling of the first official Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia Guide with a curated selection of restaurants. Several awards will also be announced during the gala, including: Chef of...

Thinking about a beach holiday, train rides through tea hills, or a tropical escape? Here’s a summer gift from Sri Lanka: tourist ETA is now free for visitors from 40 countries, including GCC nations and India. The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) allows to stay in Sri Lanka for up to 30 days. Tourists can also enter the country twice within the same 30-day validity period starting from the first arrival date. Anyone planning to stay longer can apply for a visa extension after arrival. All ETA fees paid before May 25 are non-refundable. Countries included in the free Sri Lanka...

If there’s one thing many travellers never leave home without, it’s a power bank. However, you can no longer charge your precious device onboard Saudi flights. The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation has issued new instructions to airlines operating at national airports regarding portable chargers. Here’s what passengers need to know: Charging power banks during flights is now banned Power banks must stay in hand luggage Each passenger can carry a maximum of two power banks Saudi authorities said the rules follow international aviation safety requirements linked to lithium battery, which can overheat or catch fire onboard aircraft. Several...