🇸🇦 Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia
#141
Nomad Score
6.4
Coords
24.6389160, 46.7160104
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ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ 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 |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 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) |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 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 |
| 🛒 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 |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 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 |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING RIYADH