Shopping In Saudi Arabia: Luxury Malls to Traditional Souks

If you’re a shopaholic, and enjoy shopping in unique destinations, then you should visit Saudi Arabia without a second thought. That’s because in Saudi Arabia, shopping is practically a cultural phenomenon. This can be seen in the 30 million foreign tourists who visited the country in 2024. These tourists spent lavishly on entertainment, luxury, and shopping. Continue reading to understand more about the shopping scene in this country below. 

Why Is Shopping In Saudi Arabia A Unique Experience?

One of the reasons that makes Saudi Arabia a unique destination for shopping is the availability of traditional souks and high-end designer label malls. For example, you have the Centria Mall and the Mall of Arabia. 

The upmarket cafes and high-end luxury stores in these malls will help you enjoy a glamorous shopping experience. 

If luxury that you see in the Saudi shopping malls is not new to you, then, traditional marketplaces will bring a change in your shopping experience. For example, Souk Al-Zal is a traditional marketplace for antiques. Shopping in such markets is a unique experience that you will not have in Western nations. 

Tourists pay a 15% VAT on products and services during their visit. You can now get a refund under a new VST exemption rule. This is something that is also further encouraging shopping in the country. You will pay 0% VAT if you shop for eligible items from listed sellers and providers.

So, are you considering a visit visa for KSA for a satisfying shopping experience? Let’s dive into the best upscale shopping options for you.

Luxury Shopping in Saudi Arabia

You will have the best luxury Saudi Arabia shopping experience in the four major malls in the country.

Top Luxury Malls

Luxury malls are concentrated in Riyadh and Jeddah.

Kingdom Centre Mall (Riyadh): This Saudi shopping mall is located within the 99-floor high-rise Kingdom Centre. This center is itself a prominent landmark.

You can shop from a number of high-end global brands in the Centria Mall. You will also find many entertainment-based and food-based options there. We would recommend going there during the low-rush hours for a peaceful experience.

You can check out the Sky Bridge, which is located one metro ride away from the mall. This place will offer you a chance to enjoy the Riyadhi skyline from there. We would recommend visiting an hour or two before closing time, between 9 to 10 pm. 

That way, you will be able to enjoy the sight of the stars and the city lights and click some great photographs. 

Al Nakheel Mall (Riyadh): In this mall in Saudi Arabia, the shopping experience is unique, since you can find high-end designer label stores, as well as those that come within your preferred budget. 

So, you can engage in luxury shopping as well as a budget-friendly family retreat. Try the cuisines alone or with your family. In case you are visiting with kids, take them to the electronic gaming centers and trampoline parks.

You will also love the modern architecture of the mall. Many find it extremely innovative. You should also visit the mall if you love shopping for perfumes and cosmetics. 

Red Sea Mall (Jeddah): The mall is among the biggest in the country. A variety of luxury retailers can be found in the mall. The rich entertainment zones really make the mall different from many other shopping stops. 

You will really enjoy a movie in the 12-screen cinema hall available in the mall. 

If you’re a bookworm, then you should not miss the various bookshops in this mall. We would also recommend checking out various specialty stores to shop for hidden treasures. Children’s play spaces are also available if you are visiting with kids. 

Mall of Dhahran (Eastern Province): The mall is extremely popular among locals. You will also find a crowd of expatriates shopping there. So it must be doing something right. Shoppers mainly visit the mall to hunt for fashion and electronics products. 

You will enjoy shopping in this mall if you do not like complex navigation. It is just one-story and heavily focused on family-friendly activities. Children are particularly fond of the skating rink in the mall, which is also open for adults. 

What To Expect?

When you enter any of the Saudi shopping malls, you will find products from global fashion brands like Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Fendi. You will also find multiple ways to keep yourself and your family entertained. 

You can also choose to dine at many of the fine dining restaurants, as well as beautiful cafes there. We would recommend not missing out on enjoying the family-friendly activities in the malls as well.

Another thing you should expect is personal comfort. For example, you can hire personal shoppers to help you choose the best products and deals. The malls have plenty of parking spaces with valet services available.

If you feel like relaxing in between your shopping, you can relax at the luxury lounges. You may use cash to shop at the malls. But bank cards are also widely accepted. 

Bargaining is not welcome in the malls. Negotiate in a friendly manner. You get discounts and better deals. 

Exploring Traditional Souks

Now let’s talk about the experience of shopping from souks. You can engage in a shopping spree with your Saudi Arabia tourist visa.

Must-Visit Souks

Here are the three most popular souks for you to shop from.

Souq Al Alawi (Jeddah): You will find this marketplace in Jeddah. It is the city’s oldest souk. It attracts traditional clothing and jewelry lovers. Shoppers also visit the marketplace to get their hands on high-quality spices and unique antiques. 

Remember that the marketplace gets heavily crowded during the months of pilgrimage. So, time your visit accordingly. 

Souq Al Zal (Riyadh): This marketplace is mostly dedicated to Saudi collectibles. You will find beautiful rugs and vintage antiques. If importing swords is allowed in your country, buy one from Souq Al Zal and take it back home. 

You can also buy hard-to-get coins and vintage utensils. Gold and silverware are also sold there. A perfect spot for collectors. Arabian perfumes and traditional sweets are also sought-after in the marketplace.

Qaisariya Souq (Al Hofuf, Eastern Province): This is an open-air marketplace that has several shops selling local handicrafts. The marketplace is also rich in portable heritage items like artwork and artefacts. 

You will also be able to feel the rich history of the place, when you walk the narrow paths. 

What To Buy?

Tourists mostly take home items such as hand-woven carpets and abayas. Oud or fragrant wood is also bought in quantities by tourists visiting the souks. You are also recommended to take dates, camel milk products and spices back home. Also, don’t shy away from buying gold jewelry if you love it. 

Remember that bargaining at the souks is very acceptable. But you won’t be able to bargain for all the items, as their prices will remain fixed. Regardless, make sure you are polite. Bargaining should be a discussion rather than a confrontation. 

Try to carry cash. Not all small shops will have the option to accept bank cards. Cash is also preferred for smaller transactions. You also need to dress modestly when visiting the souks. 

Additional Shopping and Safety Tips

Check out these tips to enhance your safety and shopping experience. 

Shopping Tips

Visit the souks and Saudi shopping malls on weekends. You will find a complete experience with a mix of food, entertainment, leisure, and shopping. You will also enjoy shopping more in the evening. The temperatures become cooler. Many restaurants and cafes remain open till late hours. And it is also completely safe to spend time.

Take advantage of Saudi National Day. It falls on 23rd September. Shops offer heavy discounts on a variety of items. But remember that there will be a surge in the crowd. You will also get discounts during the Riyadh Season. It lasts from October to March.

Safety Tips

Saudi Arabia has a hot climate. So, staying hydrated is important. Don’t get yourself fatigued by moving all day without tracking your water intake. 

Also, be respectful towards local norms and religious practices. You should not wander around in isolated places by yourself at night. Try to avoid isolated places during the night. Refrain from religious and political discussions. 

Don’t possess or carry alcohol at all.

Final Thoughts

In Saudi Arabia, shopping is a rich experience. You can purchase handcrafted items, high-end fashion, gold and silverware to artefacts, and electronics. 

Remember to be mindful of the direct expectations in malls and souks. While malls are mostly luxurious, souks are for treasure hunting and culture exploration. 

You should also carry cash to purchase things in souks. Remember to take souvenirs back home. Finally, don’t forget to apply for your visit visa for KSA on time to enjoy an amazing shopping experience.