Riyadh is Saudi Arabia's capital, a fast-changing desert city where the mud-brick Masmak Fortress, the National Museum, the Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge and the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif district in Diriyah sit within a short drive of each other.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Saudi Arabia is a conservative Muslim country; dress modestly in public, with shoulders and knees covered for men and women. Foreign women are not required to wear an abaya or headscarf, except that modest, loose clothing is expected.
Greet with 'As-salamu alaykum'; men may shake hands with men and should wait for a woman to offer her hand first.
Use the right hand to give, receive, eat and accept coffee or dates.
Accept Arabic coffee (gahwa) and dates when offered; shake the cup gently to signal that no more is wanted.
Public displays of affection are not accepted; avoid kissing or prolonged hugging in public.
Prayer times (five daily) shape the day: some shops and cafes still pause for about 20-30 minutes, so check the signs and plan around them.
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Dress modestly in malls, souqs, government buildings and Diriyah
- Accept coffee and dates when offered
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially women and families
- Remove shoes when entering a mosque or private home
- Stand when elders enter a room
- Carry a passport copy for ID checks
- Follow venue signs and staff instructions during Ramadan daylight hours
Don't
- Do not photograph military, government or security sites, police, or conflict-related incidents
- Do not bring alcohol into Saudi Arabia or drink it; alcohol is prohibited, with only a restricted store for diplomats
- Do not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight in Ramadan
- Do not show the soles of the feet or point them at people
- Do not post critical content about the government, its leaders or Islam online; this has led to arrests and exit bans
- Do not use or carry drugs; penalties are severe and can include long prison terms or the death penalty for trafficking
- Do not take photos of strangers, especially women, without consent
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- 'As-salamu alaykum' (reply 'Wa alaykum as-salam'); handshakes are normal between men; wait for a woman to extend her hand first, or place the right hand over the heart.
- Dining
- Eat with the right hand, take food from the dish in front of you and let the host serve guests first. Kabsa is traditionally shared from a large platter. Refusing a first offer of coffee or dates can seem impolite.
- Dress
- Men: shirt with sleeves and trousers or knee-length shorts (long trousers are preferred in public). Women: shoulders and knees covered, loose clothing; a headscarf is not required but is expected in mosques. Swimwear is for private pools and resort beaches only.
- Gifts
- Bring sweets, dates or flowers when invited to a Saudi home; never give alcohol.
- Business
- Relationship-based; meetings often begin with coffee and small talk. The weekend is Friday and Saturday; the working week runs Sunday to Thursday.
- Tipping
- 10% is common in restaurants if no service charge is added; round up taxi fares.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
As-salamu alaykum
Hello (peace be upon you)
as-sa-LAA-mu a-LAY-kum
Marhaba
Welcome / hello
mar-HA-ba
Shukran
Thank you
SHOO-kran
Afwan
You're welcome
AF-wan
Na'am / La
Yes / No
NA-am / laa
Bikam? (Gulf: Kam?)
How much?
bi-KAM / KAM
Min fadlak (m) / Min fadlik (f)
Please
min FAD-lak / min FAD-lik
Ma'a as-salama
Goodbye
MA-a as-sa-LAA-ma
Yalla
Let's go / hurry
YAL-la
In sha'Allah
God willing
in-sha-AL-lah
Wayn al-metro?
Where is the metro?
wayn al-MET-ro
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Riyadh.
Main: Islam is the state religion, and the Quran is the constitution; most Saudis are Sunni Muslims. Public non-Muslim worship is not permitted and there are no churches or temples; non-Muslims are barred from Makkah and the central area of Madinah.
Sites: Imam Turki bin Abdullah Grand Mosque (Riyadh), Al-Rajhi Grand Mosque, and the heritage mosques of At-Turaif in Diriyah. Non-Muslims should not enter mosques unless a site is explicitly open to visitors.
Holy Days: Ramadan (expected to begin around 8 February 2027, subject to moon sighting), Eid al-Fitr (around 9-10 March 2027) and Eid al-Adha (around 16-17 May 2027). Saudi Founding Day is 22 February and National Day is 23 September.
Conversations: Avoid criticising the royal family, the government or Islam; religion, regional politics and the Houthi and Iran conflicts are sensitive topics.