What to do in Riyadh - Latest News

Imagine booking a hotel where the main view isn’t the city or the sea, but a racetrack. That’s exactly what Qiddiya City is preparing for you. Right next to Speed Park Track, a multi-hotel complex is being built for people who want to stay as close to the action as possible. Guests of Qiddiya Motorsport Hotel Complex will have several options: Five-star Sports Car Hotel with 89 rooms Four-star F1 Overlook Hotel with 168 rooms 65 serviced apartments for longer stays Step outside the room and you’re right by the Speed Park Track, where cars can reach more than 325...

Zendaya x On collection is about to hit stores worldwide, and if you’re in the UAE or Saudi Arabia, you won’t have to wait long. The Swiss sportswear brand has released its first-ever line co-created with the star of Spider-Man and Euphoria, and this one goes beyond a typical collab. Zendaya worked closely with her long-time stylist Law Roach, creating pieces that reflect her personal style. So what clothes can you get? Ribbed T-shirts and tanks for layering, relaxed trousers, casual shorts, sporty skorts, and lightweight outerwear. The colour palette features black, white, tan, soft blues, and deep reds. If...

Riyadh has a new museum dedicated entirely to oil, and it’s now open to visitors. If you wanted to see how Saudi Arabia built its story around oil, you can now walk through it in one place. Black Gold Museum presents the story of oil through art, historical material, and visual narratives. The museum has four sections. Each one focuses on a different part of oil’s history and its use over time: The story starts with oil at its most basic level, from its molecular structure to its discovery as a raw material The next section looks at how oil...

Planning a trip between Saudi Arabia and Russia just got simpler. From May 11, citizens of both countries can travel without a visa, according to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The new rule allows stays of up to 90 days, either in one trip or across several visits within the same calendar year. The visa-free entry covers: tourism business visits trips to see relatives or friends If your travel falls into one of these categories, you can enter without applying in advance. Work, study, long-term residence, and travel for Hajj are not included. For those purposes, a visa is...

If handing your phone to a child usually ends in random taps, pop ups or accidental purchases, Netflix Playground is built to avoid all of that. The streaming giant has introduced a separate app for children aged 8 and under, combining simple games and familiar TV characters in one place. Curious about the new release and what it offers? Here’s everything you need to know. What Netflix Playground App Is Netflix Playground is a free add on for anyone who already has a Netflix subscription. It is available on smartphones and tablets. You can download the app on Apple devices...

If you’ve been thinking about trying something creative this month, Diriyah has a full line-up worth checking out. Throughout April 2026, Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) is hosting a series of workshops as part of the ongoing exhibition Of the Earth: Earthly Technologies to Computational Biologies. Whether you’re drawn to nature, curious about tech, or interested in cultural exploration, there’s a workshop here that will match your interests. Nature-based workshops for Teens Musical Fruits This session mixes nature, sound, and simple tech. Participants use fruits, vegetables, and plants to build basic musical instruments and explore how organic materials generate sound through...

A week of films, conversations, and industry meetups is coming back to Dhahran at the end of April. Saudi Film Festival returns for its 12th edition. The event will take place from April 23 to 29 at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra). This year’s theme, “The Journey,” shapes a programme of feature films, short films, and documentaries from Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf. Tickets for screenings start from SAR 75. The international focus this year is on Korean cinema. Screenings will be paired with discussions featuring Korean filmmakers, along with a cultural seminar and an advanced...

If you’ve ever wanted to stay somewhere celebrities choose when they travel, Faena is likely already on your radar. The brand is now expanding to Saudi Arabia with a new property set to open in Wadi Safar, just outside Riyadh. Faena Wadi Safar will be located in Diriyah, surrounded by desert landscape, palm trees, and open views across the wadi. The hotel will include 130 rooms, with some overlooking the Royal Equestrian & Polo Club and others facing a 27-hole championship golf course. Plans for this project also include 20 private villas positioned along the golf course, a spa, and...

If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to hop into a car with no driver and just… go, Riyadh is making that part of everyday life. The city has introduced its first route dedicated to self-driving cars. Back in May 2025, the plans for self-driving cars in KSA were introduced. Now, residents can actually see how that idea is being put into action. New route runs between Hayat Mall and Riyadh Gallery Mall. The service operates daily and is closely monitored by authorities, both from a technical and regulatory side. Smart tech is doing all the work. The...

A day at the zoo is back on the list. Riyadh Zoo has reopened after maintenance, and you can once again explore its animal zones and get close to wildlife. If you’re planning a visit, here’s everything you need to know about 2026 timings, zones, and the animals you can see there. Opening hours of Riyadh Zoo in 2026 Monday to Saturday: 8:30 AM until sunset Friday: 1 PM until sunset Sunday: Closed Gates close at 4:30 PM What's Inside Riyadh Zoo You’ll move through different themed areas, each with its own animals and experiences: Go to Almalaz Bay where...