Riyadh - Is there anything to do?
Discussion
Having only landed in Dubai a few weeks ago I've gotten myself shipped out to Riyadh for the next few months. First impressions are that the people seem nice but there's is absolutely zero going on in the evenings.
Am I right in thinking that Dinner and Shopping are the only sources of entertainment? What do people do out here to not go mad? I'm already sick of the inside of my hotel room.
Am I right in thinking that Dinner and Shopping are the only sources of entertainment? What do people do out here to not go mad? I'm already sick of the inside of my hotel room.
velocitas said:
Am I right in thinking that Dinner and Shopping are the only sources of entertainment? What do people do out here to not go mad? I'm already sick of the inside of my hotel room.
Absolute 
of a place.Done my time there, bought a Play Station otherwise I would of gone mad, there were people losing the plot left right and centre.
Absolute
of a place.velocitas said:
Having only landed in Dubai a few weeks ago I've gotten myself shipped out to Riyadh for the next few months. First impressions are that the people seem nice but there's is absolutely zero going on in the evenings.
Am I right in thinking that Dinner and Shopping are the only sources of entertainment? What do people do out here to not go mad? I'm already sick of the inside of my hotel room.
It's difficult enough to find things to do when you live in a compound, let alone when you're in a hotel...I lived there for 3 years until June last year.Am I right in thinking that Dinner and Shopping are the only sources of entertainment? What do people do out here to not go mad? I'm already sick of the inside of my hotel room.
Riyadh has very few tourist attractions or things to do other than as you say - malls and eating.
The Aviation museum on the airport road is meant to be pretty good, and the Saudi museum downtown is also meant to be alright - I think it's pretty new (however it says a lot that in 3 years I didn't go to either....). The Sky Bridge in Kingdom Tower is worth a visit at sunset.
The DQ is alright for a walk around during the day, but would get a bit boring after the first visit. Out of town a bit are a load of blokes offering quad bike rides - you have to head out to one of the 'Red Sands' for proper dune bashing on quad bikes though (you take your life into your own hands). There are a load of market stalls in Deira which are a bit sh*t but cheap, just don't go on a Friday as it's right next to Chop Chop Square.
Getting a Playstation isn't actually a bad suggestion!
If you're interested in 5 aside football I could possibly point you in the direction of a weekly game...
GT03ROB said:
velocitas said:
Having only landed in Dubai a few weeks ago I've gotten myself shipped out to Riyadh for the next few months.
You obviously impressed your employers on arrival!! 
I bet they had that lined up for him all the time, can't think why they didn't say anything before...
Could be worse I suppose, errr, Mogadishu?
Asterix said:
GT03ROB said:
velocitas said:
Having only landed in Dubai a few weeks ago I've gotten myself shipped out to Riyadh for the next few months.
You obviously impressed your employers on arrival!! I bet they had that lined up for him all the time, can't think why they didn't say anything before...
Could be worse I suppose, errr, Mogadishu?
I'm in Kuwait & even I can laugh about someone being sent to Riyadh!!
6th Gear said:
Top things to do in Riyadh....
Attractions (16) Nightlife (0) Shopping (12)
One thing you could look at is weekend trips over towards the West & Jeddah - it's a completely different place/world to Riyadh. Far more relaxed, all things being relative, and it has world class diving in the Red Sea.
Also, in the North there are meant to be some amazing archaeological sites that are completely unspoilt as no-one ever goes there.
You'll also find that the locals are different and far more friendly when you get out of the cities.
Also, in the North there are meant to be some amazing archaeological sites that are completely unspoilt as no-one ever goes there.
You'll also find that the locals are different and far more friendly when you get out of the cities.
Thanks guys, so my initial observations are bang on. It's looks like I'm going to become a gym bunny and a librarian so. Thankfully I have the option to fly back every week so I'll make it work.
@TomV8, Skybridge and the Kingdom Mall are on my list for the evening. Thanks for the other suggestions, I've no interest in shopping but I'll check out the Souq. The move over here in general was about traveling so I might make a trip to Jeddah at some point for some diving.
Are these guys any good, if not I'd make a great sub?
Unfortunately rugby was the main sport at school so my soccer skills are limited at best!
@GT03ROB, I'd a good laugh at that. Honestly you're not far off but at least they were open about it. No one in the office wanted to go here and having just landed in the office I needed to "do my time". On the plus side after a few months under my belt I'll be able to put my foot down next time for the assignments in Bali
@TomV8, Skybridge and the Kingdom Mall are on my list for the evening. Thanks for the other suggestions, I've no interest in shopping but I'll check out the Souq. The move over here in general was about traveling so I might make a trip to Jeddah at some point for some diving.
Are these guys any good, if not I'd make a great sub?
Unfortunately rugby was the main sport at school so my soccer skills are limited at best! @GT03ROB, I'd a good laugh at that. Honestly you're not far off but at least they were open about it. No one in the office wanted to go here and having just landed in the office I needed to "do my time". On the plus side after a few months under my belt I'll be able to put my foot down next time for the assignments in Bali
TomV8 said:
They are good amateurs but I was terrible when I played! Definitely a social rather than a serious game.
Somewhere else to mention is Tabuk - there's the old Lawrence of Arabia train / Hejaz Railway in the desert up there.
Sounds good, well if they don't mind a sound but utterly sSomewhere else to mention is Tabuk - there's the old Lawrence of Arabia train / Hejaz Railway in the desert up there.
te Irish guy turning up I'll take the opportunity to get out of my hotel room.oilydan said:
Asterix said:
How about a fleshlight?
I'm surprised Chop Square is not on Tripadvisor.
I live down in Dhahran so have the convenience of Bahrain just an hour's drive away, not sure how I would cope in Riyadh TBH.
I think I'll get by without for now. Reminds me of the pocket pussys I saw in a German motorway service station a few years ago.Chop Chop Square....hmm there's a very messed up part of me that wants to see that. Probably better off sticking to the malls rather than have to live with that image for the rest of my life
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