exclusively for women, managed and serviced entirely by ladies. Many visitors choose to wear the traditional abaya while shopping, although this is optional. Further to this, there is also a
range of stores located at the base of Kingdom Tower. Al Faisaliah Mall is home to a large Harvey Nichols as well as a fabulous range of big-brand fashion boutiques among its 108 stores. There’s a huge play area and a vast food court in the basement, where visitors can relax and refuel with a bite to eat. The city’s traditional souks can
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mostly be found in the historic quarter, primarily around the Qasr Al Hokum district. Haggling is considered to be close to an art form in this part of the world and can be a thoroughly enjoyable part of trading. Remember that practise makes perfect so don’t feel disheartened if the seasoned vendors beat the price up on your fi rst few attempts. The oldest marketplace in
Riyadh is an antique souk, which still retains its traditional narrow passageways, bustling atmosphere and colourful character. Nearby is the gold souk, which has a tanta- lising array of precious pieces with the option for bespoke orders, too. Outside the city centre, located
along the intersection of King Abdulaziz and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Roads is the Sahara Mall. Built on a 90,000-square-metre plot, the mall is popular because it carries international retail brands. Also worth a visit is the enormous Al Batha Souk, located in the old town. Al Jamia is the city’s primary textile market.
JEDDAH As one of Jeddah’s historic centres, Al Balad has trading roots dating back to the early days of Bedouin settlement. Nowadays, it is an attractive destination where tradi- tional souks rub shoulders with modern buildings.
The mall is close to Jeddah
Cor niche and is located in the mid dle of major commercial areas such as Tahlia Street, Prince Sultan Street and Hira’a Street. Other popular retail venues are
The most famous of the
markets are Souk Al Nada, Souk Al Aluwi, Souk Al Baddu and Souk Gabil. Souq Al Nada predominantly sells gold and silver ornaments, while Souq Al Baddu, a 140-year-old complex which derived its name from the Bedouin goods it specialised in selling, is where visitors can fi nd Arabian coffee, cardamom, saffron and ginger. Cutting through the district from east to west is Souq Al Alawi, which is abuzz with activities especially during the Hajj season when it is transformed into a cosmopolitan area. Souk Gabel meanwhile, sells elec- tronics, perfumes, dates, honey and spices. For style mavens, there is Tahlia
Street, a veritable hub of designer brands, including Armani, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tod’s, Prada and Versace. It is famous for being the wealthiest street of the kingdom and it is often referred to as the Champs Elysées of Saudi Arabia. The city’s fi rst shopping centre
and still its largest is the Heraa Mall where 240 international and local retailers sell everything from branded fashion items to locally made traditional goods. There are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops here as well. One of the most modern
shopping centres in the city is Stars Avenue, located at the inter- section of King Abdulaziz Road and Sari Street.
KNOW MUST
TOP TIPS TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE THE SOUKS
Bargaining is part of the culture and a customary tradition at old-style souks.
Determine the maximum price
you are prepared to pay before you start haggling and start at 50 percent of the asking price.
No shopping trip to the souk is complete without a visit to the many coffee shops. If traditional Arabic coffee is
too bitter for your taste, try a refreshing mint tea instead.
Check current international gold prices before going to gold souks in order to know whether the design you’re buying is worth the added labour cost.
the Mall of Arabia in the Nuzhah District and the Red Sea Mall, which is the largest mixed-use mall located in the northern suburb of Jeddah. The Red Sea Mall can be found within a 242,200-square- metre complex that also features a fi ve-star hotel and a seven-storey offi ce building with external and underground parking areas.
DAMMAM This city on the Arabian Gulf coast in the Eastern Province has several malls selling everything from the latest electronics through to designer brands, watches, perfumes and much more. Other popular retail destinations
in the city include the Al Othaim Mall, Al Shatea Mall, Al Waha Mall, Al Danah Commercial Centre, Al Hayat Plaza, Marina Mall, Dammam International Markets Mall and Rameez Shopping Centre. The two-storey Ibn Khaldoun
Mall may not be as big as some of the mega-malls elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, but it satisfi es the shopping needs of residents and visitors alike. Boasting 92 shops, it receives an annual footfall exceeding 1.6 million.
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