What to do in Riyadh

Staying at home doesn't mean being bored! Whether you're spending time with kids, enjoying family moments, or solo, there are plenty of fun and creative activities to keep you entertained. From crafting and cooking to games and learning new skills, here's a list of 15 exciting things to do at home. 1. Air-Dry Clay Sculpting Try creating personalized gifts like animal figurines or small planters. Set challenges, like creating a specific shape or theme, and see who can come up with the most creative designs. Kids will love it, but it’s equally enjoyable for adults wanting to express creativity. 2....

Indoor skiing enthusiasts, rejoice! Infinite Ski, Dubai’s renowned indoor ski facility, is branching out to Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Jeddah. With its innovative approach to skiing and snowboarding, Infinite Ski is set to bring this thrilling experience to new audiences across the Middle East. Located in Dubai’s Al Quoz district, Infinite Ski is a go-to destination for beginners and seasoned skiers. Its Maxxtracks slopes, developed in the Netherlands, mimic the sensation of snow but don’t require bulky winter gear. Instead, you can ski in complete comfort while the adjustable speed and incline cater to your skill level — whether you’re...

Boutique brand Earth Hotels is preparing to make a splash in the Middle East hospitality scene. With a strong focus on design, sustainability, and lifestyle experiences, the brand is set to open four new properties across the UAE and Saudi Arabia by 2027. Each location brings a unique concept — from mangrove retreats to party-ready beach resorts. Here’s what’s coming up. Earth Mangroves in Umm Al Quwain, UAE Opening in 2025, this eco-conscious resort is nestled within Umm Al Quwain’s lush mangroves. The property will feature: 41 free-standing bungalows, including waterfront units Nature-based activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, yoga, and...

If you regularly drive into Saudi Arabia with a vehicle registered in another GCC country, this update is for you. The Kingdom has issued new rules that restrict the stay of vehicles registered in Gulf countries to 90 days within any 365-day period. These days can be consecutive or spread out across the year, meaning you could stay for 90 days in one trip or break it up into several shorter visits. The count begins from the date the vehicle enters Saudi Arabia through any customs port. The rule applies to vehicles owned by Saudi citizens, residents, and expatriates, as...

If you’re booked on a flydubai flight between UAE and KSA, take note of this before you head to the airport. From February 25, all Dubai-Riyadh flights arriving at and departing from King Khalid International Airport (RUH) will operate from Terminal 5. The airport itself hasn’t changed. Only the terminal has, and that small detail can make a big difference on travel day. The Dubai-Riyadh air route is one of the busiest in the world. In 2025, it ranked seventh globally, with 4.465 million seats recorded across the year. That level of traffic reflects how strong the link is between...

Have you been using Instagram's end-to-end encrypted messaging feature? Well, it’s time to say goodbye. Meta recently announced that it will no longer support this feature starting May 8, 2026. End-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and receiver can read the content of their messages. So, when this was enabled on Instagram, Meta couldn’t access your conversations. According to Meta spokesperson Dina El-Kassaby Luce, the feature didn’t get enough use, that's why it's being removed. Starting May 8, Instagram will return to its standard encryption model, where the platform can access data if needed. Before this date, Meta will...

If your child has been asking to use WhatsApp, a new feature coming in the next few months may ease the concerns about the safety of the app. WhatsApp introduces parent-managed accounts for kids under 13. The feature lets younger users stay in touch with family and friends while parents keep control over the account’s privacy and communication settings. How Parent-managed WhatsApp Accounts Work With this feature, a parent or guardian can create and supervise the account for a kids under 13. Only adults aged 18 or older can manage the setup. Here's what parents can manage: decide who is...

The Arab Fashion Council (AFC) has just launched the first-ever AFC Fashion Fund, aimed at supporting Arab talent in the global fashion industry. The biennial program is designed to help one ready-to-wear (RTW) designer scale their brand internationally, with a total value of USD 500,000 over a two-year period. To be eligible, applicants must be RTW designers holding citizenship from any Arab League country. The chosen designer will also benefit from guidance by an advisory board made up of editors, investors, and fashion industry leaders. The winner will be announced later in 2025.     View this post on Instagram...

If you drive a Tesla, here’s some good news from the company that actually makes everyday life a bit easier. Charging your car won’t cost you anything. To support users across the Gulf during a challenging time, Tesla has activated free Supercharging in 30 locations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Elon Musk has previously pointed out that free Supercharging is something the company enables during difficult periods, helping drivers stay on the road without worrying about extra costs. The company has previously offered free charging in the US during extreme weather and power outages. In the UAE, you'll...

Qatar has announced an important update for GCC residents who plan to visit the country. The visit visa period has been extended from one month to two months. Travelers can also apply for a multiple-entry permit. These changes were introduced on November 30 and are available through the Haya platform, according to Qatar Tourism. The aim of this update is to make travel more convenient for GCC visitors. Qatar continues to host many cultural, sports and entertainment events, especially in the years following the FIFA World Cup 2022. A longer stay and the option to enter the country multiple times...