Souq Al Zal

Souq Al Zal is Riyadh's oldest market, set on Imam Turki bin Abdullah Road in Ad Dirah, the old centre of the city in Saudi Arabia. It lies about five minutes on foot from Masmak Fortress and near Deera Square. The market is a warren of covered lanes and small shops selling antiques, carpets, daggers, brass and copper ware, coffee pots, prayer beads, dates, spices, incense and traditional clothing, with the older stock concentrated in the inner lanes. Entry is free, and prices are set individually, with bargaining a normal part of buying. Hours are typically 09:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 22:00 Saturday to Thursday, with Friday starting from about 16:00, though shops vary. A visit takes one to two hours, longer for serious browsing. The late afternoon and evening are the liveliest periods, when shopkeepers reopen after the midday break and the lanes fill with local shoppers. Mornings are quieter but some shops open late. The best photographs are of the shop displays, the narrow lanes and the old building facades seen from the entrance road, though people should be asked before being photographed. Crowds peak on Thursday and Friday evenings, and weekday late afternoons are easier for browsing. Practical points include carrying small bills for purchases, expecting shops to pause for prayer times, and checking that antique items can be exported before buying. Ride-hailing from Olaya costs about SAR 20-35. Visitors should dress modestly and wear comfortable shoes for the uneven lanes. The market is often combined with Masmak Fortress, Deera Square and the Grand Mosque exterior in a single old-city walk.