Souq Shopping at These 7 Markets Is Among the Best Things to Do in Riyadh

Dealing in crafts and carpets, incense and all the gold, the Arabian Peninsula is crisscrossed by ancient trade routes, so street markets, or souqs, are built into Saudi Arabia's DNA.

While Riyadh has a fabulous mall scene, its traditional souqs combine shopping with a heady dash of Saudi culture, making a leisurely few hours fossicking in markets one of the best things to do in Riyadh.  

Souqs full of gold, oud and dates - this is Riyadh at its most local, and most alive.

Whether you're on a mission or just browsing, these markets will yield the ideal souvenir, such as a handwoven carpet or carved wooden boxes, a brass lantern or an elegant, long-necked dallah (Arabian coffee pot), showcasing local artisans' skills. 

Read on for seven of the best of Riyadh’s markets, where you might find yourself coming home with some local fashions, a box of premier dates, or even lustrous gold jewellery.  

These are seven of the best places to fossick, haggle, and shop like a local.

Also known as ‘the ladies’ market’, Souq Taibah draws Saudi women in with its huge range of abayas, from the latest colours and embellishments to classic, unadorned black. You’ll also find henna, lots and lots of scarves, incense and perfumes; for a quintessential Saudi buy, shop its oud (agarwood) fragrances. Perfumes are often sold in small vials, making them a pocket-friendly gift; explore the blends of oud with amber, musk and rose. Keep an eye out for handicrafts including embroidered cushions, beaded jewellery and carpets. One of the city’s oldest markets, Souq Taibah's also known for its gold and jewellery section; get the sunglasses out, this is high-carat Arabian bling. If you’re seriously shopping for gold, check the local gold prices before you visit, to help make an informed buy. 

 
Location: King Fahd Road, King Fahd District 
 

Hours: Daily 9am-midnight. Fridays 4-11pm 

It’s an indication of the importance of dates in Saudi Arabia that there’s a souq in Riyadh dedicated solely to these delicious, power-packed little gems, because dates ain’t just dates. Sold by the kilo or in huge boxes, take a crash-course in the best varieties, from prized Ajwa dates from the Medina region to sweet Sukkari, black Safawi and popular Medjool varieties. This market heaves in late summer (July-August), which is peak date season. And the best part is haggling over the prices with a short, Arabian coffee and a taste of the dates in question.

 
Location: Exit 14, Ar Rawabi 
 

Hours: Daily, 7am-11pm

If you love a good rummage for hidden treasures, Riyadh’s oldest market, Souk Al Zal gives. Coins, carpets and curios, this is Riyadh's premier trove of antiques, and draws collectors to its daily market. Essential buys include the vivid handwoven rugs (zuliya) that gave the market its name. Set near the Al Masmak Fortress, it sells what you didn’t know you were looking for; from thobes (men’s robes) to abayas (women’s robes), maybe a camel-leather slipper? Here, you'll find gifts worthy of a king… literally, gold, frankincense and myrrh are on sale at this vast traditional market, which dates back more than a century.

 
Location: Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Ibrahim St, Ad Dirah

Hours: Daily, 3:30pm-10.30pm

Local bargain hunters know that Al Batha'a market takes care of the penny pincher. Also called the Filipino Souq, Riyadh's cheapest market stocks clothes and homewares and grocery items, with stalls selling street food in between. It heaves on Friday evenings, much quieter on Thursday mornings. Jump into what's a very local scene, less than 10 minutes' drive from Mercure Riyadh Al Anoud.  And if you're on a budget, remember that looking is always free.

 
Location: Al Batha'a St, Al Batha'a 
 

Hours: Daily, 9am-12am; Fridays 1pm-12am

Think old-school farmer’s market with a new-school makeover at this produce marketplace run by the city administration. From 6am, farmers of small holdings around Riyadh bring their produce in to sell each day, and the crowd loves it. Come early for the freshest finds, or to simply soak up the atmosphere of a covered market setting that’s as old as time itself.

 
Location: Al Muruj

Hours: Saturdays, 6am-8pm

It's no surprise this Riyadh market is also known as the Clocktower Souq for its location beside Clocktower Square. The stalls here are small but mighty, bright with high-karat gold and statement-making jewellery, as well as antique firearms and other, more packable souvenirs. Find fine thobes and get fitted with a distinctive Saudi men's scarf (ghutrah) and agal, which holds the headwear in place. There are rich pickings for authentic, handcrafted souvenirs such as dallahs, the coffee pot is a symbol of Saudi hospitality, and textiles woven in the country's traditional designs. Located by what was one of the nine city gates, Al Thumairi is amongst the city's oldest streets, and the market is close to Souq Al Zal; combine the two for a day of fabulous fossicking.

 
Location: Ad Dirah

Hours: Saturday-Thursday, 9am – 12pm, 8pm– 12 midnight; Friday 8pm – 12am

If a men's outer robe (bisht) is on your shopping list, Souq Al Owais obliges. Its nickname is Souq Al Bisht, less frenetic than the better-known markets, and popular amongst local shoppers. Here, you'll find the bisht of your dreams to throw over your thobe, sold with a serving of Saudi culture. Its slender stalls are also a goldmine for gold and silver jewellery, as well as textiles of all hues; don't forget to bargain, it's all part of the process. 

 
Location: Olaya St, Ad Dirah

Hours: Daily, 9am-12pm, 4pm-10pm

Centrally located, Mercure Riyadh Al Anoud is the best place to stay to tap into Riyadh’s market scene. 

The hotel is close by Al Muorabba metro station on the Metro Line 1, which heads south to the must-visit Riyadh market hub of Souq Al Zal and Souq Al Thumairi. Around the hotel, you'll find Riyadh Avenue Mall and Lulu Hypermarket, to sate any urgent shopping urges. 

After a day spent exploring Riyadh's markets, cool off in the hotel’s rooftop pool and spa before dinner in the hotel's all-day restaurant, Les Bernaches, or take a seat beneath the stars at La Maison cafe's rooftop terrace. 

Get your haggle on. Don’t pay the first price quoted, it’s usually a ballpark figure from the seller to kick off the beautiful game of bargaining. Counter-offer with about half the opening price, and work your way to an agreed price that both you and the seller are happy with.

Carry a stash of cash, especially if you're shopping for small trinkets, as not all sellers accept credit cards. 

If you want to take your time browsing, head to Riyadh’s markets in the afternoons, when it’s quieter - the trade-off is that it's also in the heat of the day. To roll with the crowds, the souks of Riyadh are busiest on the weekends (Fridays & Saturdays); note that most are closed on Friday mornings. 

Many clothing stalls also offer speedy tailoring services doing quick nips and tucks, ideal as robes and abayas are often cut long to accommodate all comers.  

Slow down and pause for tea or a shot of coffee and soak up the atmosphere. Riyadh's markets aren't grab-and-go supermarkets, but a place to connect with friends and experience Saudi Arabia’s handicraft heritage, making souq shopping one of the best things to do in Riyadh.