Hi everyone and welcome back to another episode of Tumult. I’m so excited you are here with me!

This week's episode is about what I think you should know before going to Saudi Arabia as a tourist. Why? Saudi Arabia only recently opened its doors to tourists in September 2019 and a lot of people have questions about the Saudi experience. I traveled to Riyadh in January and would like to share my impressions with you and hopefully give some useful insights into Saudi Arabian culture. We are gonna talk about the visa application process, prohibited items, dress codes, gender segregation, prayer times, public transport and recommendations! 

Featuring some incredible insights and analysis of a Saudi local! Intrigued? I’d absolutely love for you to check out this episode on your favorite platform. Including Spotify!

Thank you for listening! 

OFFICIAL VISA APPLICATION WEBSITE: https://visa.visitsaudi.com/

Prohibited Items (official): https://www.customs.gov.sa/en/general/Prohibited-goods

Vision 2030: https://vision2030.gov.sa/en

Winter at Tantora Festival: https://experiencealula.com/en/Winter_at_Tantora/about/Pages/default.aspx

MDL Beast Festival: https://mdlbeast.com/the-festival/ 

Timestamps:

00:00 - 02:34 Introduction 

02:35 Visa Application 

05:10 Prohibited Items 

07:00 Dress Codes 

10:35 Mshari: Impact of Tourist Visa on Saudi Society 

17:20 Gender Segregation 

18:56 Prayer Times 

21:47 How to get around

22:56 Recommendations/ Vision 2030/ Disclaimer

What to See: 

Al Masmak Fortress and the surrounding 'Old Town': https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/see/highlights/Al-Masmak-Fortress

City of Dir'iyah (a small city outside of Riyadh): https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/see/highlights/historical-Dir-iyah

Thumama desert: 45min drive from the center of Riyadh. You can rent quad bikes and have a picnic in the dunes. 

City View from one of the highest buildings in Riyadh: Al Faisaliah Tower: The Globe Experience 

The 303 (Art Exhibitions and lots of coffee places - tourist hub) https://www.the303.sa/

What to Do: 

Kashta at Wadi Hanifah

Walk at Wadi Namar (lake 40min from the center of Riyadh) 

Ask for Arabic Coffee and Hookah! (and dates!) 

What to Eat: 

Lebanese place Karam Beirut: http://www.karambeirut.com/locations (vegetarian dishes)

Zaatar w Zeit: http://www.zaatarwzeit.net/KSA/home (vegetarian dishes) 

A m a z i n g  falafel place: Abu Jbara, Riyadh 

Chick 'n' Bun: https://www.instagram.com/chicknbun.sa/?hl=en