Souq Al Zal

Souq Al Zal is one of the oldest markets in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, located in Ad Dirah, the old city centre, near Imam Turki bin Abdullah Road, Masmak Fortress and Deera Square. It developed in the period before the oil economy, when Riyadh was a walled Najdi town and the souq served as a trading point where townspeople, farmers and Bedouin exchanged dates, livestock, textiles, tools and household goods. The market's location beside the fortress and the civic square placed it at the heart of public life. The souq is made up of narrow alleys and small shops under low roofs, built in the traditional manner with mud-brick influence and later reinforced and renovated. Today the buildings have been refurbished to preserve the old character while improving safety and drainage. Shops sell antiques, carpets, brass and copper ware, traditional daggers, Bedouin clothing, incense, perfumes, prayer beads and souvenirs. Merchants often deal in second-hand items and collectables, and bargaining is customary. The market is not a museum with curated exhibits, but its atmosphere gives an informal, living view of older commercial habits. Visitors browse at their own pace, and the stalls display goods that reflect the crafts of the Najd and the wider peninsula. Restoration of the old centre in recent decades has kept the souq as an active market rather than a static monument. Hours follow local shop patterns, with a break in the early afternoon, and the market is busiest in the evening. Because it sits a few minutes on foot from Masmak Fortress and Qasr Al Hokm, a walking route through Ad Dirah can include all three. English is widely understood by traders, and prices should be agreed before purchase.