Lifestyle
Living in Saudi Arabia — the best restaurants in Riyadh and Jeddah, gyms and fitness centres, parks and outdoor spaces, things to do in Dammam and Al Khobar, Ramadan guide for expats, schools for expat children, Umrah guide for residents, and Saudi Arabia weather by city.
Best Beaches in Jeddah — Public, Private & Resort Options
Jeddah sits on the Red Sea coast and has some of the most beautiful beaches and coral reefs in the world. From free public beaches to private resort beaches with full facilities, the options for a beach day in Jeddah are plentiful. This guide covers the best beaches in Jeddah, what to expect, costs, and practical tips for expats and visitors.
Best Areas to Live in the Eastern Province — Al Khobar, Dhahran, and Dammam Compared
The Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia is home to one of the country's largest expat communities, built around the oil and gas sector. The three main cities — Al Khobar, Dhahran, and Dammam — each have distinct characters. This guide compares them so you can choose where to live based on your work location, lifestyle, and budget.
Best Areas to Live in Jeddah — Expat Neighbourhood Guide
Jeddah is Saudi Arabia's most cosmopolitan city — a Red Sea port with a more relaxed atmosphere, diverse food scene, and a long history of international trade. Unlike Riyadh, Jeddah has a more compact feel with the city oriented around the corniche and the sea. Choosing the right neighbourhood depends on your lifestyle, commute, budget, and whether you prioritise a beachfront setting, a central business location, or a family-friendly community. This guide covers the most popular areas for expats and residents.
Best Areas to Live in Riyadh — Expat Neighbourhood Guide
Riyadh is a large, spread-out city and choosing the right neighbourhood makes a significant difference to your daily quality of life — commute times, school access, dining options, and community feel all vary dramatically by district. This guide covers the most popular areas for expats and residents, what each neighbourhood is known for, typical rent ranges, and who each area suits best.
Best Cafes & Coffee Shops in Riyadh — A Guide for Expats and Visitors
Riyadh has developed one of the most vibrant cafe cultures in the Middle East over the past few years. From specialty third-wave coffee roasters to traditional Saudi qahwa houses, the city has an extraordinary variety of coffee experiences. Whether you are looking for a workspace cafe, a date spot, or just a great cup of coffee, this guide covers the best cafes in Riyadh.
Best Restaurants in Jeddah — Top Picks for Every Occasion
Jeddah has long been Saudi Arabia's most cosmopolitan city and its restaurant scene reflects that — a mix of traditional Hejazi cuisine, excellent seafood from the Red Sea coast, Lebanese and Levantine restaurants, and a growing fine dining scene along the Corniche and in Al Hamra. This guide covers the best restaurants in Jeddah for every occasion and budget.
Best Restaurants in Riyadh — Top Picks for Every Occasion
Riyadh's restaurant scene has exploded over the past few years — from high-end rooftop dining in the diplomatic quarter to hole-in-the-wall shawarma spots that locals swear by. The city now has world-class options across every cuisine, price point, and occasion. This guide covers the best restaurants in Riyadh for expats, residents, and visitors.
Eid Al Adha in Saudi Arabia — Complete Guide for Expats and Visitors
Eid Al Adha is the most significant Islamic holiday of the year and one of the biggest public holidays in Saudi Arabia. It falls at the end of the Hajj pilgrimage season and is celebrated with prayers, family gatherings, charitable giving, and the ritual sacrifice of livestock. For expats and visitors in Saudi Arabia, understanding Eid Al Adha helps you prepare, participate respectfully, and make the most of the holiday period.
Grocery Shopping in Saudi Arabia — Supermarkets, Apps & Expat Food Guide
Grocery shopping in Saudi Arabia is convenient and well-developed — from large hypermarkets stocked with international brands to local souqs selling fresh produce. Online grocery delivery has also become excellent. This guide helps expats navigate Saudi supermarkets, find their favourite international products, understand the main chains, and use grocery delivery apps effectively.
Gyms & Fitness Centers in Saudi Arabia — Major Chains & What to Expect
Saudi Arabia's fitness scene has expanded rapidly since 2018 under Vision 2030. There are now hundreds of gyms across the Kingdom — from large national chains to boutique studios and women-only clubs. This guide covers the main chains, typical membership costs, how to sign up, and what to expect as a new member.
Hajj Season in Saudi Arabia — What Residents and Expats Need to Know
Hajj season transforms Saudi Arabia every year — particularly Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah. Roads fill up, businesses adjust hours, some services slow down, and the atmosphere across the Kingdom shifts. For residents and expats who are not performing Hajj, understanding what changes during Hajj season helps you plan your life, travel, and work around one of the world's largest annual events.
Parks & Outdoor Spaces in Riyadh — Where to Go for Fresh Air
Riyadh has invested heavily in public parks and green spaces as part of Vision 2030. From natural valleys with waterfalls to manicured urban parks and cycling tracks, there are more outdoor options than most people expect. This guide covers the best parks and outdoor spaces in Riyadh.
Pets in Saudi Arabia — Bringing, Owning & Caring for Pets as an Expat
Keeping pets in Saudi Arabia is common among expat families — cats in particular are widely owned and culturally accepted. Dogs are also kept but face more restrictions. This guide covers how to bring your pet to Saudi Arabia, the import requirements, finding vets, pet shops, and the rules around keeping different types of animals.
Ramadan in Saudi Arabia 2026 — Rules for Expats, Working Hours & What's Open
Ramadan in Saudi Arabia is a deeply significant month that transforms the rhythm of daily life across the entire country. Working hours shift, restaurants close during the day, the nights become lively, and the atmosphere is unlike anything else in the calendar. For expats and visitors, understanding how Ramadan works makes the experience far more enjoyable — and avoids unintentional offence. This guide explains everything you need to know.
Saudi Arabia Public Holidays 2026 — Official Dates for Expats
Saudi Arabia has a mix of religious holidays (tied to the Islamic lunar calendar) and fixed national holidays. This guide lists all official public holidays for 2026, explains how they affect working hours, and covers what to expect as an expat during Eid, National Day, and Founding Day.
Saudi Arabia Weather by City — What to Expect Throughout the Year
Saudi Arabia's weather varies dramatically by region. Riyadh bakes in dry desert heat, Jeddah is coastal and humid, Abha sits in cool mountains, and Tabuk can get cold enough for snow in winter. Understanding the climate in your city helps you plan outdoor activities, travel, and what to pack.
Schools for Expat Children in Saudi Arabia — Complete Guide
Finding the right school for your children is one of the most important decisions when relocating to Saudi Arabia. The country has a well-developed international school sector, particularly in Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province, offering British, American, IB, and other curricula. This guide covers the main options, costs, and how to find the right fit for your family.
Best Shopping Malls in Riyadh — Complete Guide
Malls are central to life in Riyadh — they are not just shopping destinations but social hubs, dining venues, entertainment centres, and air-conditioned escapes from the heat. Riyadh has some of the largest and most impressive malls in the world. This guide covers the best malls in Riyadh, what makes each one unique, and practical tips for shopping in Saudi Arabia.
Sports & Fitness in Saudi Arabia — Padel, Running, Football & More
Saudi Arabia has embraced sports and fitness culture enthusiastically over the past few years. Padel courts, running clubs, football leagues, cycling routes, golf courses, and gyms have multiplied across the Kingdom. Whether you are a serious athlete or just want to stay active, this guide covers the main sports and fitness options available to expats and residents in Saudi Arabia.
Things to Do in Al Khobar — Expat Guide to the Eastern Province City
Al Khobar is the most expat-friendly city in the Eastern Province — a well-organised waterfront city with a Corniche, international restaurants, easy access to Bahrain, and a large expat community. This guide covers the best things to do, where to eat and shop, and how to make the most of life in Al Khobar.
Things to Do in Dammam & Al Khobar — Eastern Province Guide
The Eastern Province — centred on Dammam, Al Khobar, and Dhahran — is home to a large expat community working in oil and gas, and has a distinct character from Riyadh or Jeddah. With the Arabian Gulf coastline, easy access to Bahrain, and the UNESCO-listed Al-Ahsa Oasis nearby, there is more to do here than most people expect.
Things to Do in Jeddah — Attractions, Waterfront & Cultural Experiences
Jeddah is Saudi Arabia's most cosmopolitan city — a port city on the Red Sea with a UNESCO-listed historic district, a spectacular waterfront, world-class diving, and a more relaxed cultural atmosphere than the capital. Whether you are a resident or a visitor, there is always something to explore.
Things to Do in Riyadh — Attractions, Day Trips & Local Experiences
Riyadh has transformed dramatically under Vision 2030. Beyond its reputation as a business capital, the city now has world-class museums, UNESCO heritage sites, entertainment districts, and dramatic natural landscapes just outside the city. This guide covers the best things to do for residents and visitors.
Umrah Guide for Residents in Saudi Arabia — How to Perform Umrah
Umrah is a voluntary Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah that can be performed at any time of year — unlike Hajj, which has specific dates. For Muslim residents in Saudi Arabia, performing Umrah is more accessible than anywhere else in the world. This guide covers how to prepare, what is required, the rituals involved, and practical tips for residents making the journey to Makkah and Madinah.