Things to do in Saudi After Dark

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Nights come alive in ways that days never do in Saudi. Once the sun sets, you’re in another world. The weather gets cooler, the breeze becomes crisper, and the city lights illuminate with beautiful colours.

This post is dedicated to what’s it like in Saudi during the night-time. For the one who loves the night intensely because that is when the stars burn the brightest.

After the Sun Sets in Saudi

Saudi is known for its gleaming shopping malls that combine retail and luxury restaurants, and entertainment appropriate for all ages. Once the sun sets, the streets of Saudi are buzzing, lights are beaming everywhere, restaurants and coffee shops are packed with people everywhere you go. Coffee is a major pillar of the Saudi lifestyle and is served at various occasions including weddings and other social events. The most common time that Saudis consume coffee is at night-time, a time when friends and family gather and enjoy this beverage that is loved in every region in the country.

Saudi at night is even more fantastic given that the country has its own unique brand of fun. Let us offer you a glimpse of that through today’s post.

Below are ways in which the night-time scene in Saudi can be straight out of your “Arabian Nights” dreams:

When the night comes alive during Ramadan

Ramadan, the holiest month of the year for Muslims tends to be the busiest time especially during the night. Muslims abstain from food and drink during daylight hours to exercise spiritual discipline and inspire reflection and contemplation until the sun sets, where people can break their fast and the festivities begins. The country comes to life, twinkling under white lanterns and bursting with beautiful vibrant colours around the cities of Saudi.

The malls and souqs are open through the night during Ramadan. At 2 a.m., there is a bustling, festival atmosphere featuring an array of Ramadan inspired products such as Arabic sweets and confectionary, Eid gifts, home décor, perfumes, lanterns and more. The unique outdoor Ramadan night market is the perfect destination for families to visit after Iftar.

Brace yourself for the most romantic evening ever

The perfect date usually involves a good restaurant, soft music and an artificially set ambience to perfect the mood. But imagine spending an evening with the love of your life by your side, the breeze from the dunes caressing both of you while the universe swirls around you.

When looking to explore the nightlife of Saudi, one activity that you cannot miss is stargazing. Of all the places, AlUla is where you ought to plan a stopover. Light pollution being low in this city, the stars really sparkle like diamonds in the blackest of sky.

In AlUla, stargazing has a completely different flavour as you are not only in the desert, but you are also surrounded by mystic sarsens. These formations give your stargazing experience an edge, literally!

To complete your date night, you will also be served the ultimate al fresco spread. Now wouldn’t you agree that night-time in Saudi is a must-do!

Watch the tallest fountain illumined by half a thousand spotlights!

A spectacular scene is set every evening along the Jeddah Corniche Waterfront when the tallest fountain in the world is illuminated by five hundred lights! You have to see it to believe it.

King Fahd’s Fountain in Jeddah is considered the tallest in the world. It is reported to touch heights of more than 300 metres and sometimes even higher than the Parisian wonder, Eiffel Tower.

Another unique thing about this marvel is that it spouts salty sea water and not fresh water. This was a major design challenge, one overcome by the genius of the engineers. All of these reasons make the fountain a must visit place in Saudi.

The fountain comes alive at night with lighting that is marvellous to watch from the waterfront. After you catch the lights mingling with the cascading waters against the coal black sky, take a walk along the coast and enjoy lip-smacking titbits served at the stalls.

Let Saudi’s fine dining spoil you for choices

Saudi has an array of restaurants. Every city has its own specialty, and even within a city, each province has mastered some recipes and made them their own. And luckily, Saudi’s eateries and cafes are often open until really late.

You must try as many dishes as possible, but there are a few that you absolutely cannot miss. The first of course is Kabsa, the national food of Saudi. Perfect for dinner, this meal of spicy chicken and piquant rice might become your favourite food once you try it.

The other must-eat mouth-watering dish is Mutabbaq, a peppery pancake that satiates your hunger yet leaving you wanting more!

For those who love lamb meat, Muftah is the king of Arabian dishes. The preparation renders the meat so tender that it will melt in your mouth while also melting your heart.

Vegans and vegetarians mustn’t worry though. Saudi has many dishes up its sleeves for you as well. From rice and vegetable dishes to cheese sambusaks, you too will revel in the food choices that Saudi presents on a platter!

Finally, for your sweet cravings, Saudi offers Kunafa, a cheesy delight with a rose water syrup at its heart.

In Saudi, your taste buds are up for a gala time. Whether it is a selection of coffee or dates of different kinds, Saudi’s delights will fill your tummy and your heart.

Go for a late night shopping spree

A blog on the night-time scene in Saudi is incomplete if we don’t mention the shopping centres and bazaars where you can shop all night. From luxury malls to boutique experiences, you can have it all when you shop.

The capital city, Riyadh, is considered a cosmopolitan hub today. However, its shopping roots are quite deep. For instance, one of Saudi’s oldest bazaars is in Riyadh. Souq Al-Zal presents you a shopping experience down memory lane. The origin of this marketplace can be traced back to as early as 1901. Today, it serves as a major attraction for tourists who love to shop traditional Saudi artefacts. If you have always wanted a hand woven or patterned authentic Saudi rug for your home, Souq Al-Zal is the place to stop by during your trip.

In case you are looking for a global shopping experience and scouting for places where you can shop from high-end brands, then hit Red Sea Mall in Jeddah. At a distance of 16-odd kilometres from the Jeddah Airport, this mall is the perfect stopover if you have time to kill before your flight. With an array of brands and choices galore, you will love every second and penny spent here.

Before you start packing your bags to enjoy the night-time in Saudi, let us quickly walk you through some of the cultural and health requirements you need to keep in mind.

Alcohol is prohibited, and must not be indulged in. Also, the country requests its visitors, irrespective of gender, to wear modest clothing that covers skin. This in fact works really well for tourists as the loose clothing lets your skin breathe.

Though we are slowly moving into a post-pandemic world, the threat is still real. As such, it is best to stay safe and ensure no one is infected because of us. A few things that must not be forgotten when travelling to Saudi include:

• Securing a visa from your country of departure since the visa-on-arrival facility has been suspended due to health reasons
• Getting a negative RT-PCR test result not more than 72 hours before your departure
• Investing in a Covid-19 health insurance that will cover the quarantine expenses in case you test positive during your holiday
• All travellers must also show proof of vaccination (vaccine certificates for COVID 19) with one of the approved vaccines recognized in Saudi.
• Travellers are also encouraged to check the current entry requirements with their chosen airline.
• Downloading the Tawakkalna app on your phone and registering yourself once you reach Saudi

Finally, though Saudi at night is fabulous, your safety comes first. If there is a night curfew in the city you are visiting due to Covid-19-threat, then please be careful not to venture out.

Armed with your enthusiasm and this set of guidelines, you are ready for a fantastic holiday in Saudi!