What to do in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is expanding its list of major urban developments, and one of the newest additions is Othaim Circle. The project is currently under construction in Al Khobar, along the popular Prince Turki Street, with a view of the Arabian Gulf. Spanning 52,000 square metres, Othaim Circle is designed to combine shopping, dining, and entertainment in one coastal location. The layout includes open-air walkways, natural light, and uninterrupted sea views, offering visitors a mix of indoor and outdoor access across the development. Retail takes centre stage at Othaim Circle, with over 80 shops planned. The commercial mix includes both high-end...

The Jeddah E-Prix 2025 is set to return to Saudi Arabia this February, offering an engaging mix of world-class motorsport and live music. The event, held at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on 14 and 15 February, will feature a headline performance by American rapper Lil Baby, bringing his distinctive sound and lyrical depth to the stage on the second day. Dominique Armani Jones, known to millions as Lil Baby, has established himself as one of the most influential voices in contemporary rap. Emerging with his debut mixtape Perfect Timing in 2017, Lil Baby’s raw and introspective storytelling quickly set him...

The Ministry of Tourism in Saudi Arabia has introduced a new regulation regarding hotel check-out times. Starting immediately, all hotels in the Kingdom must enforce a strict check-out time by 12 PM, with no exceptions, regardless of when guests checked in or if their arrival was delayed. The new policy aligns with international hospitality standards, allowing hotels to manage their schedules efficiently and maintain room quality. It also gives hotels enough time to clean and prepare rooms to meet the required standards before new guests arrive. Key Moments of the New Regulation: All hotel guests must check out by 12...

The Moroccan-born coffee brand Bacha Coffee is expanding to Riyadh. While the official opening date hasn’t been confirmed yet, the upcoming branch will be located in Solitaire Mall, one of the city’s newest high-end destinations. Bacha Coffee was founded in 1910 in Marrakesh, and quickly became more than just a café. It was a cultural and political meeting place for visitors from around the world — including Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, who enjoyed Arabic coffee during their time in Morocco. After a long period of closure, the brand was revived in 2017 as a museum and in 2019...

Qiddiya City is gearing up to welcome an exciting new addition: a cutting-edge Performing Arts Centre. Situated on the stunning Tuwaiq cliffs, this venue is set to change the cultural scene in Saudi Arabia. The Performing Arts Centre will blend beautifully with the natural landscape of Qiddiya City, offering breathtaking views. The design includes a cantilevered amphitheatre and a unique 500-seat venue that hangs above the ground. These spaces will host over 260 performances each year across three theatres, promising a wide variety of shows.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Qiddiya | القدية...

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has made it easier for pilgrims from the Gulf region to perform Umrah by expanding access and streamlining the process. Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can now perform Umrah at any time of the year, entering the Kingdom through land, air, or sea ports. All pilgrims are required to obtain an Umrah permit through the official Nusuk application. The same applies to those who wish to pray in Rawdah Al Sharifah, the revered chamber in the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. The move is part of broader efforts to enhance the pilgrimage...

If you’ve ever been stuck in the long lines on the King Fahd Causeway, you’ll probably understand why this story is making waves online. A commuter recently shared how he managed to skip all the traffic while traveling from Khobar to Bahrain, thanks to a brand-new Express Lane — and it cost him SAR 230 (BHD 23). This new feature is part of a trial project on the Saudi side of the Causeway aimed at making cross-border trips much faster. The system relies on smart cameras at the customs gates that handle self-clearing before leading drivers directly to passport control....

Mutah Beale, formerly known as "Napoleon" from the legendary Outlawz crew created by Tupac Shakur, has expanded his restaurant portfolio in Saudi Arabia with the opening of Bakers Field Café in Riyadh’s Hittin district. Following his successful ventures OKLA and the award-winning Smokey Beards Q, Beale’s new café brings a unique fusion of global flavors and quality ingredients to Riyadh's culinary scene.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Mutah Napoleon Beale مطاع بيل (@mutahbeale) Bakers Field’s interior offers a sleek industrial-chic vibe, complete with high ceilings, earthy tones, and expansive windows. The two-story setup...

This June, Riyadh is hosting an exciting event that combines fun and a good cause. The "For Tomorrow" musical play will take place from June 20th to 22nd at Princess Nourah University's Blue Hall. It's a family-friendly event designed to entertain people of all ages while promoting important social values. The special part about this show is that all the money raised from the play will be donated to the Sanad Association, which supports children with cancer. This means that by attending, you will not only enjoy a great show but also help children in need.     View this...

Saudi Arabia continues to attract global icons, and this time it’s none other than Hans Zimmer, the legendary composer behind some of the most iconic film scores. The maestro has been invited to reimagine the Kingdom’s national anthem, “Aash Al-Malik” (Long Live the King), originally composed in 1947 by Egyptian musician Abdul Rahman Al-Khateeb. Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, revealed plans for the collaboration. “We discussed several future projects that I hope will come to fruition soon, including rearranging the Saudi national anthem with different instruments,” he shared. But this isn’t all. Hans Zimmer’s involvement with Saudi...