I am currently based in Riyadh but apologies if I haven’t written as much about the capital as I have about other cities in Saudi Arabia. With so many new activities and places to explore, keeping up with everything is quite a challenge! Every day, the city surprises me with something new.
Let’s start with the latest developments in Riyadh. This part of my Saudi Arabia Travel Guide series is a work-in-progress, and I look forward to sharing my past trips here and upcoming activities.
Saudi Arabia Travel Guide
Al Bahah
Tabuk
Asir Region
Jazan
Hejaz, including Jeddah
Sharqiah (Eastern Region)
Najran
Table of Contents
Feature of the month
Thekra Ice Cream (آيسكريم ذكرى)
If you want something sweet with a distinctly Saudi character, Thekra Ice Cream (آيسكريم ذكرى) is worth trying. Thekra (ذكرى) translates to “memory”, which fits the concept well.
In Riyadh, Thekra has branches in the Suwaidi, Rawabi and Sahafa districts. You can also find them in Buraydah, with branches in Al Safra and Al Rayyan.
There is more on the menu than regular scoops of ice cream. They also offer pudding ice cream and tiramisu ice cream, as well as milkshakes in Lotus, Oreo, strawberry and chocolate flavors. For the ice cream itself, you can choose from mango, chocolate, strawberry, berry, vanilla and pistachio. And you do not have to settle for just one flavor. You can mix different flavors in a single order, with small, medium and large sizes available.
What I like about their ice cream is that it is flavorful without being too sweet. Their fruit flavors also retain the taste of the actual fruit instead of being dominated by sugar or tasting overly artificial. Among everything I have tried, though, pistachio is my personal favorite.
If you are visiting with family or friends or simply want enough ice cream to share they also have a Gatherings Box, which comes with eight cups for SAR 69.
They are available at Keeta, Hungerstation, Jahez and The Chez. You may check the menu here.
San Carlo Cicchetti
To celebrate its anniversary, MFC Saudi launched The Italian Journey, an exclusive anniversary edition that turns dining into a little adventure of its own. Guests receive an MFC-branded passport, which can be stamped every time they visit one of the participating restaurants: Agio, Signor Sassi, San Carlo Cicchetti and Crazy Pizza.
The journey runs until 30 September 2026, giving you time to collect the stamps while experiencing the different personalities of each restaurant. The celebration culminates in a final gala dinner, where participants have the chance to win prizes through a raffle draw, including two round-trip flight tickets to Rome and the Red Sea, as well as an exclusive dining experience worth SAR 1,500.
And here’s our first stop: San Carlo Cicchetti!
San Carlo Cicchetti brings the Italian tradition of cicchetti, small plates designed for sharing, to Riyadh. The restaurant offers Italian classics and pasta to seafood and other dishes made for sharing. Check the menu here.
Riyadh Public Transport
Riyadh significantly opened its transportation system last 2024.
Honestly, this is the most important development in Riyadh for me. I don’t like driving so having metro is one of the best options for me.
There are six lines.
Line 1 or Blue has 24 stations from SAB Bank to Ad Dar Al-Baida. It is connected to Red Line (Line 2 – King Saud University to King Fahd Sports City) at stc station; Orange Line (Line 3 – Jeddah Road to Khashm Al-an) at Qasr Al Hokm station; Yellow Line (Line 4 – Airport Terminal) and Purple Line (Line 6 – An Naseem is the last station) at KAFD station; Green Line (Line 5 – Ministry of Education) at National Museum.
Tickets
If you are an Uber patron like me. Maybe in a month, it would cost you 2,000 riyals. But with the metro, you can spend only 350 riyals in a month (maximum). Tickets are priced at 4 riyals for a two-hour pass. This means that you can use the pass within two hours within the transport network which includes Riyadh bus. There is a three-day pass which would cost you 20 riyals, seven-day pass for 40 riyals and a 30-day pass for 140 riyals. There is also first class tickets priced at 10 riyals for a two-hour pass, 50 riyals for a three-day pass, 100 riyals for a seven-day pass and 350 riyals for 30-day pass.
When I first used the metro in November 2024, I was only using a prepaid card which I loaded amounting to 100 riyals. The metro ambassadors introduced me to an unlimited one-month pass which costed me only 140 riyals. When I realized that there is a growing number of metro commuters, I decided to take first class pass for a month.
The metro and buses are clean. It gives you comfort to arrive at your destination plus the peace to avoid traffic.
How to buy tickets
You can use your phone or iWatch to pay your rides. You can also buy a card using the machines in each metro or bus station. You also have the option to put your name in the card – just go to the ticketing booth and give your Iqama or national ID to the staff but ensure that you have installed the Darb app on your phone and you have an account there as they will link it to your account. Darb helps you navigate the metro and bus stations from your location to your destination. You may also buy passes using the app.
King Khalid International Airport
For most international visitors, the first introduction to Riyadh will be King Khalid International Airport (RUH), the main gateway to the Saudi capital. The airport connects Riyadh with destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Africa and beyond, while an extensive domestic network connects the capital with other parts of Saudi Arabia.
One personal reminder I would give travelers is to always keep an eye on your belongings even when you feel safe in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way when my personal laptop was stolen at the airport. What frustrated me even more was what happened afterward. I went back and forth to the airport several times trying to report what happened and seek assistance. I approached the airport and the airport police, but I felt that I was being passed from one place to another without anyone clearly taking ownership of my case. I was with my Saudi friend Nasser helping me talk to the authorities. I simply wanted the incident to be properly documented, investigated and dealt with through a formal process. Perhaps there was a procedure that I was not successfully directed to, but from my experience, I could not find a clear way to formally raise and follow through with my complaint, nor someone willing to guide me through the process. That was disappointing because I was not asking for special treatment, I just wanted the opportunity to pursue the matter properly and seek justice for what happened.
I am sharing this not to characterize the airport or Saudi Arabia as unsafe. Riyadh has been my home for years, and this was one unfortunate experience. Rather, it is a reminder that theft can happen anywhere. Keep your valuables with you, especially laptops, phones, passports and other personal belongings, and do not assume that being inside an airport means they are automatically secure.
King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD)
If you want to see the modern and increasingly cosmopolitan side of Riyadh, KAFD is worth spending a few hours exploring. Originally developed as Riyadh’s financial hub, KAFD has evolved into much more than a collection of striking skyscrapers. Its distinctive architecture, pedestrian-friendly spaces and interconnected buildings make simply walking around the district part of the experience.
KAFD also has a growing selection of restaurants and cafés, making it a good destination for anything from a quick coffee to dinner with friends. There is usually more happening here than just dining. KAFD regularly hosts events, exhibitions, pop-ups, fitness and wellness activities, entertainment, and seasonal experiences, so what you find can vary depending on when you visit. During Riyadh’s cooler months, its outdoor spaces become enjoyable, with people walking around, meeting friends, dining outside or attending one of the activities happening across the district.
Chotto Matte Riyadh
For me, KAFD represents where Riyadh is heading: modern, ambitious and increasingly designed around experiences, not just business. Even if you do not have anything specific planned, it is one of those places where you can come for coffee, walk around, admire the architecture and see what is happening that day.
Sports Boulevard
The Sports Boulevard inspires residents of Riyadh to adopt a healthy lifestyle through participation in various sports, such as walking, cycling, and horse riding.
The project offers an innovative combination of sports with cultural, artistic, and environmental opportunities, creating a modern destination for the residents.
Wadi Hanifah
The area stretches 29.5 km from Madinah Road in the south to Sadd Al-Alb in the north, passing through the Diriyah Gate area. It features dedicated pathways for pedestrians, horse trails, and cycling tracks for biking enthusiasts.
The area has different attractions. The Cycling Bridge is an icon of sustainable mobility. It extends over 900 meters in length and more than 4 meters in width, connecting the Promenade to Wadi Hanifah. The Room is a central pavilion within the Promenade, serving as a peaceful retreat for reflection and connection. It transforms the vibrant energy of the park into a serene oasis. The Thread is an elevated walkway that provides visitors with an interactive experience. It allows them to navigate between levels and viewpoints across the Promenade. The area features various ground seating options, offering a balanced blend of activity and leisure for visitors of all ages.
Sands Sports Park
Embrace the challenge and beauty of sports in the vast desert, and prepare for countless exciting adventures along diverse pathways, all in perfect harmony with nature. It has different features like the Najdi Flower Loop, a professional cycling track which features a total distance of 15km, with a 5km external loop and a 10km internal loop. It also has Jogging Pathways for 20 km. The 8km Mountain Biking Trail caters to Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced riders, plus a Leisure Loop for casual riders and families.
Other Tracks
PNU Internal Cycling Loop is also open for residents and visitors. Under development are Urban Wadi, Entertainment Destination, Athletics Destination, Wadi Al Sulai, Environmental Destination and Al Rimal Sports Park.
Where to eat
East Asian
Zuma
Koyee Korean BBQ
International
Parker’s Farm
PUBLIC
La Brasserie لابراسيري
Memos
European
Le Maschou Restaurant لوماشو
Modern Arabic
Somewhere
Arabic
ASYAKH أصياخ
Brunch
Eloge
Arcomi
Seafood
The Boiling Crab
Fish Factory
Coffee and tea culture
KURO كورو
TWG
Seven Beans
Alice Cafe
Saudi Arabia Travel Guide
Al Bahah
Tabuk
Asir Region
Jazan
Hejaz, including Jeddah
Sharqiah (Eastern Region)
Najran
About the Author
- Chief Executive Editor
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PJ is a Certified Public Accountant, writer, storyteller, and an advocate for youth empowerment and environmental protection. His passion for storytelling and social impact has taken many forms—from writing thought-provoking articles on national development, featured in a Spanish newspaper and Rappler, to producing documentaries on mining and environmental issues that aired on ABS-CBN News and GMA News.
A proud Ilocano and graduate of Northwestern University, PJ earned his degree in Accountancy then passed the CPA licensure exam in 2015. That same year, he began his professional career at KPMG in the Philippines. As an external auditor, he handled a diverse portfolio of clients, including a global workspace provider (the largest audit engagement of KPMG Philippines), a global bank, a major FMCG player, and several shared service centers.
His commitment to innovation was evident early in his career. PJ and his team won the KPMG Asia-Pacific Data & Analytics Challenge and later coached the Philippine team to a top-three finish at the KPMG GlobalRunner Cup. He went on to lead KPMG Philippines' Network of Audit Innovators and Data & Analytics Champions, as well as its academic arm. He was an active contributor to the Asia-Pacific Audit Digital Transformation Workstream and a member of both the Audit Methodology Group and the Root Cause Analysis Team. Beyond technical excellence, PJ is deeply committed to learning and leadership. He was a regular training facilitator on audit methodology, professional standards, and emerging tools in data and analytics. He also served as the Firm’s System of Quality Management (SoQM) Implementation Manager and one of its Workforce of the Future Champions.
In 2019, he contributed to the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) as a member of its Technical Working Group on Audit Methodology. His role in shaping audit quality and innovation has left a meaningful imprint on the profession.
PJ defines success by the people he uplifts. As a mentor and coach, he invests in the growth of emerging professionals and previously served as a member of the KPMG Philippines People Committee.
He leads various community-centered advocacy projects and shares inspiring stories through his vlog, PJspirations, a platform that celebrates individuals and their journeys. As a volunteer, he serves as Academic Master and Head Coach of PREMIER International Learning and Development Center, an organization devoted to providing coaching, mentoring, and training programs that help people grow personally and professionally.
Today, PJ brings his passion and expertise to the Middle East, South Asia, and Caspian regions as part of KPMG’s Professional Practice and Audit Learning & Development team. In this role, he contributes to audit methodology advancement and learning strategy across the Middle East Cluster.
He is also a certified #IAmRemarkable facilitator, leading sessions of the global Google initiative that empowers women and underrepresented groups to celebrate their achievements.
Tiktok: PJspirations
Snapchat: pgb_088
Personal Website: http://lnk.bio/pjspirations
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