Riyadh digital nomad guide

Essentials

City

Riyadh, Ar Riyad Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Population

7.6 Million

Internet Speed

High-speed 5G widely available; Fiber optics average 150-300 Mbps; Public Wi-Fi common in malls

Currency & Banking

Saudi Riyal (SAR). 1 USD ≈ 3.75 SAR (fixed peg). ATMs are omnipresent

Tap Water

Not recommended for drinking; most residents use bottled water (e.g., Nova or Berain) or RO filters

Power

230V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets (UK style)

SIM Card

STC (best coverage), Mobily, and Zain. Available at RUH Airport. ~100 SAR for 20GB data

Banking for Expats

Al Rajhi Bank, SNB (AlAhli), and digital banks like STC Pay or Meem by GIB

Accommodation

Western-style compounds (e.g., Al Hamra Oasis), serviced apartments in Olaya, and Airbnb

Cashless Friendly

Extremely cashless; Mada (local debit), Apple Pay, and cards accepted at 99% of vendors including small shops

Short Term Rentals

Airbnb and Gathern (local platform for chalets and apartments)

Budget Accommodation

Mansard Riyadh (Mid-range) or local apartment hotels in Al Malaz starting around 250 SAR/night

Best Area to Stay for Tourists

Al Olaya (Center) near Kingdom Centre or Hittin/Al Nakheel for the trendy dining scene

Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads

Al Mohammadiyyah or Al Khozama for proximity to coworking spaces and high-end cafes

Food and Drink

Affordable Shopping Spots

Lulu Hypermarket; Al-Othaim Markets; Souq Al Zal for spices and traditional goods

E-commerce/Online Store

Amazon.sa; Noon.com

Grocery Delivery

Nana; Ninja (15-min delivery); Carrefour App

Bar/Nightlife Area

No alcohol (illegal). Socializing happens at Tahlia Street or Boulevard World (seasonal)

Local Brewery

Non-alcoholic breweries only. Pique Coffee or various 'Mocktail' bars in Hittin

Wine Bars

None (Alcohol prohibited). Meraki or Billionaire offer high-end non-alcoholic wine alternatives

Street Food Stalls

Food trucks located at 'The Boulevard' or Prince Turki Al-Awwal Road

Popular International Cuisine

Zuma (Japanese) in KAFD; Cipriani (Italian) in Hittin

Best Food Delivery App

HungerStation, Jahez, and ToYou

Best Local Dish to Try

Kabsa (Rice and meat) at Al Romansiah; Najd Village for traditional Saudi seating and food

Vegan/Vegetarian Options

Wabi Sabi (Al Sulaimaniyah); Moon Shell (King Abdullah District) for vegan bowls

Best Dessert Spots

Pattern Concept Store (Hittin) for Tiramisu; Anni & Dani for local chocolates

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks

Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge (65 SAR); At-Turaif District in Diriyah (UNESCO site)

Museums & Art Venues

National Museum of Saudi Arabia (Al Murabba); JAX District for contemporary art

Historical Sites

Al Masmak Fortress (City center); Diriyah Old City

Religious Sites

Al Rajhi Grand Mosque (One of the largest in Riyadh)

Annual Events

Riyadh Season (October - March); MDLBeast Soundstorm (Giant music festival)

Cultural Districts

Diplomatic Quarter (DQ) for walking and greenery; Al-Murabba

Theater Venues

Muvi Cinemas; Performances at Princess Nourah University Theater

Local Markets

Souq Al Zal (Antiques and textiles); Deira Souq

Music Scene

Anghami Lab (KAFD); Seasonal concerts at Riyadh Season icons

Street Art

Al Oud neighborhood murals; JAX District Diriyah

Cooking Classes

The Kitchen Lab (Takhassusi)

Art Galleries

L'Art Pur Gallery (Al Faisaliah); Naila Art Gallery

Historic Buildings

Murabba Palace

Local Heritage

Ardha (Traditional sword dance) performed at national festivals

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes

Wadi Hanifa (huge park and valley); Edge of the World (1.5-hour drive via 4x4)

National Parks Nearby

Thumamah National Park (Desert activities, quad biking, camping)

Cycling/Walking Paths

Wadi Hanifa trail; Riyadh Sports Boulevard (under development, sections open)

Scenic Viewpoints

Jabal Fihrayn (Edge of the World); Kingdom Centre Observation Deck

Birdwatching Locations

Al Ha'ir Parks and the Lakes south of Riyadh

Bonfire-Friendly Spots

Red Sand Dunes (Ad Dahna) - very popular for winter bonfires and desert camping

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service

Aramex; SMSA Express; DHL

Tech Repair Services

Jarir Bookstore (Official service); Axiom Telecom; Computer Market in Olaya

Table Tennis Spots

Various luxury compounds; local sports clubs like Al-Hilal or Al-Nassr open facilities

Language Classes

Alliance Française (Al Safarat); Arabic Cultural Institute

Libraries & Study Spots

King Fahad National Library (Stunning architecture, very quiet)

Community Centers

DQ Hub; Local neighborhood 'Markaz' centers

Gaming Lounges

Glitch (Al Wadi); VOV Gaming (The Zone)

Casino & Gaming Halls

Not permitted. Card games like 'Baloot' are popular in local cafes

Business

Studio Purchase Price (City Center)

Approx. 15,000 SAR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 600,000 SAR)

Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)

Approx. 9,000 SAR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 360,000 SAR)

1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)

Approx. 14,000 SAR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 840,000 SAR)

1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)

Approx. 8,500 SAR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 510,000 SAR)

2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)

Approx. 12,500 SAR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,000,000 SAR)

2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)

Approx. 7,500 SAR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 600,000 SAR)

Corporate Tax

20% (for non-Saudi/non-GCC entities); Zakat at 2.5% for Saudi/GCC entities

Dividend Withholding Tax

5%

Tax System

Territorial (Tax on Saudi-sourced income); No personal income tax for individuals

Highest Income Tax Bracket

0% (There is no personal income tax in Saudi Arabia)

VAT

15%

Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules

No specific CFC rules, but Transfer Pricing regulations are strictly enforced

Property Tax

None for individuals; White Land Tax (on undeveloped land in urban areas)

Property Transaction Tax

5% Real Estate Transaction Tax (RETT)

Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads

0% Personal Income Tax; Premium Residency options for long-term stay

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space

Vynd (Hittin District) - Approx. 1,500 SAR/month; The Space (Al Ghadeer) - 120 SAR/day

Best Cafe for Work

Draft Cafe (Al Sulaimaniyah) - Quiet, ample outlets; Brew Crew (An Nakheel) - Great vibes and steady Wi-Fi

Networking Events

Events at The Garage (KACST) for tech startups; Saudi Vision 2030 forums; Meetup.com Riyadh Tech groups

Social Events for Expats

InterNations Riyadh Chapter; networking events at the DQ (Diplomatic Quarter) embassies

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App

Uber, Careem (local favorite), and Kaiian

Bike/Scooter Rental

Tier and Lime scooters available in the Diplomatic Quarter and King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD)

Best Beach Nearby

Landlocked city; closest beach is Dammam/Khobar (400km, 4-hour drive or 3-hour train)

Top Regional Airline

Flynas (Low cost carrier) or Flyadeal

Top International Airline

Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) and Riyadh Air (launching 2025/2026)

Highway Access

King Fahd Road (North-South) and Northern Ring Road are the main arteries

Main Train/Transit Hub

Riyadh Railway Station (SAR) for east-line; Riyadh Metro (Hub at KAFD and Olaya)

Public Transport Passes

Darb Card for the new Riyadh Bus system (4 SAR per 2-hour trip)

Regional Travel

SAR Train to Dammam (approx. 100 SAR); Flights to Jeddah (approx. 400 SAR)

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital

King Faisal Specialist Hospital; Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib (Olaya or Takhassusi branches)

Yoga & Wellness Centers

Exhale Yoga Studio (Al Wadi); Soul Warrior (Al Maqaat)

Gyms & Fitness Centers

Fitness Time (PRO/Plus branches widely available); PureGym (Mixed and Ladies branches)

Laundry Services

Clean Line or accessible neighborhood 'Laundry' shops (approx. 5 SAR per shirt)