Things To Do in Riyadh: Experiencing Boulevard World
If you are visiting Riyadh during the Riyadh season, you must visit the Boulevard World!
But before you plan your trip to attend, there are a few things you should know, such as when exactly Riyadh season takes place, what it offers, and whether it is worth the visit for international tourists.
As someone who is currently living in Riyadh and has been to Boulevard World myself (twice!), I’m going to share everything you need to know to plan your visit perfectly.
What is the Boulevard World?
First, you might be wondering what is the Boulevard World? Boulevard World is a huge event held in Riyadh.
It is like a premier entertainment zone that serves a massive, immersive theme park where you can “travel the world” in a single evening.
It is designed around a giant man-made lake, with different zones dedicated to various countries.
Each zone is a meticulously detailed replica of that nation’s architecture, culture, and street life.
For instance, once you’re inside, you can walk from the canals of Venice to the neon streets of Japan in just a few minutes.
You’ll often see it written as “BLVD World.” This is simply a common shortening used in Riyadh (and on social media) for the full name, Boulevard.
Each country zone features authentic food, traditional music, and local artisans selling genuine products from their home nation. It’s not just about looking at buildings, there are also high-tech escape rooms, VR experiences, and the famous Sphere, which hosts 360-degree cinematic shows.
When and Where is the Boulevard World Riyadh?
When exactly is the Boulevard World? It is happening during the Riyadh season from October to May.
The current season (2025/2026 season) officially opened on 11th October 2025 until 1st May 2026. The event open daily from 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM.
Where is the Boulevard World located? It is located in the Hittin district (North Riyadh), right next to Boulevard City.
What exactly is the “Riyadh Season”?
Riyadh Season is a yearly lineup of entertainment, cultural, and sports events hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital city.
It is organized by the General Entertainment Authority as part of the Saudi Seasons initiative, which supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
When is the best time to travel to Riyadh?
Riyadh has two seasons, winter and summer. If you’re wondering what summer is like in Riyadh, I wrote a specific post sharing my experience dealing with the heat in Saudi Arabia.
The best time to travel to Riyadh is during the winter, as it is much more pleasant to walk and be outdoors without the constant, unbearable heat.
Peak winter is between November and February. This is when Riyadh’s weather is most pleasant, with daytime temperatures around 20°C to 25°C and cool evenings (sometimes dropping below 10°C).
This is also when locals and expats spend as much time outdoors as possible, as you don’t get to do this during the summer months.
Pro Tip: I would avoid October or late April if you dislike the heat, as it can still reach 30°C+ during the day, which is quite hot by Riyadh standards.
If you would like to visit Boulevard World, I highly recommend going when the weather is cold, typically from November to February.
You may need to bundle up if you’re visiting during these peak months, as the temperature can easily drop close to 10°C (or lower!) in the evening.
How to get the tickets to Boulevard World
If you’re planning to visit Boulevard World in Riyadh and wondering how to buy tickets for you and your family, here is what you need to know.
Tickets are sold exclusively through the Webook website or app. On mobile, this is how the Webook app look like:
Visit: Website
You can use either the web or the app, but I personally prefer the app!
It is much easier to have the Webook app on your phone, but if you are unable to download it, you can simply use the website.
What does the process look like?
You’ll need to create an account on Webook, select your date, and pay via card (they do accept Apple Pay).
How much are the ticket prices to Boulevard World?
Weekday Entry: Starting from SAR 30 ($8)
Weekend Entry: Starting from SAR 40 ($11)
What if there are no tickets available?
To give you a heads-up, this is likely to happen if you try to book last minute for a weekend. My family and I have experienced this firsthand.
But worry not, as there is an option to buy “resale tickets” from people who cannot make it and want to sell their tickets. This can be done directly inside the Webook app.
I highly recommend buying resale tickets this way, as it is safer and legal; the organizer prohibits reselling tickets on any platform other than Webook.
Which hotels to stay nearby Boulevard World
If you are wondering where to stay in Riyadh, there are a couple of great hotels around BLVD World depending on your budget, needs, and preferences.
Jareed Hotel
Price per night: SAR 1400 ($373)
Location: Hittin, Riyadh
Distance to BLVD World: 5.8km (7 min by car)
Book here: Expedia
Kimpton KAFD Riyadh by IHG
Price per night: SAR 1000 ($267)
Location: Al Aqeeq, Riyadh
Distance to BLVD World: 9.6km (11 min by car)
Book here: Expedia
AMBER Hospitality – BLVD
Price per night: SAR 680 ($180) for a 3-bedroom
Location: Hittin, Riyadh
Distance to BLVD World: 2.6km (3 min by car)
Book here: Website
Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh
Price per night: SAR 500 ($133)
Location: Al Murooj District, Riyadh
Distance to BLVD World: 12.1km (11 min by car)
Book your room: Expedia
Novotel Riyadh Sahafa
Price per night: SAR 600 ($160)
Location: Sahafa District, Riyadh
Distance to BLVD World: 10.1km (14 min)
Book here: Expedia
What’s inside the Boulevard World
If you are wondering what is inside the famous Boulevard World, it is essentially a massive, immersive theme park where you can “travel the world” in a single evening.
Giant Man-Made Lake
The park is designed around a massive man-made lake, with different zones dedicated to various countries. You can even take boat trips across the water to travel between the different international zones.
Exploring the Country Zones
Each zone is a meticulously detailed replica of a nation’s architecture, culture, and street life.
Every area features authentic food, traditional music, and local shops selling genuine products and clothing from that specific country.
You truly get to immerse yourself in different cultures. It makes you feel as though you are not inside Saudi anymore.
The 2025/2026 season features over 22 zones, including several new additions:
- New for this season: Indonesia, Korea, and Kuwait.
- Returning favorites: Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Italy, France, India, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Morocco, Egypt, Mexico, and Thailand.
- Regional zones: Some countries are grouped by region, such as the Levant and Africa.
Food and Drinks to try and Boulevard World
The moment you enter Boulevard World, you will notice all sorts of shops and cafes available in each country zone.
As I have been here twice, I’m going to share which food, desserts, and drinks I’ve tried that are worth the money!
The price of a meal, on average, is SAR 35 per item. For coffee or juices, you can expect to pay a minimum of SAR 15 per cup.
The prices of meals and drinks inside are considered quite high compared to what you would pay outside the event.
Food to try at the BLVD World: Mango Ice Cream
I never had an ice cream in a cold weather and it turns out to be so nice and delicious!
If there’s one dessert you should try inside the BLVD World, it is definitely the Mango Ice Cream!
Where to find it: You’ll find this in the China zone, which is one of the first areas you’ll encounter. It is usually located right after the Saudi Arabia zone (the first zone after the entrance).
Food to try at the BLVD World: Mango Sticky Rice
Another dessert that I will totally recommend you to try ( as it was also recommended to me by a friend) is the Mango Sticky Rice!
If you’re new to this dish, this is traditional Southeast Asian dessert made with glutinous rice, fresh mango and coconut milk. It is very delicious as it has the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and milky taste.
Where to find it: You’ll find this in the China zone, which is one of the first areas you’ll encounter. But in case you missed it, don’t worry as you can find the Mango Sticky Rice at Thai Flooting Market section (which is located towards the end of BLVD World).
Drink to try at the BLVD World: Authentic Karak Tea
I didn’t managed to snap a picture of the karak tea shop as the area was so crowded. But this is how you can find the best Karak Tea inside BLVD World:
The shop name is “Chapati Karak”, it’s actually a popular Karak tea chain in Riyadh.
Where to find it: They are available at the Kuwaiti section, next to the big boat stage where they perform Kuwaiti traditional songs and performances.
Food to try at the BLVD World: Kunafa
There are a lot of Kunafa shop inside the BLVD World. The price is slightly higher than what you pay outside. But if you would still love to try, I’d suggest trying any authentic kunafa in the Levant countries section.
Food to try at the BLVD World: Buttered Corn
Another food worth trying inside the BLVD World is the buttered corn. There’s something special about having a warm buttered corn when the temperature gets cold at night. This is one way you can stay warm!
Where to find it: There are a couple of booths selling corn, but the one that my family and I went is the one near to the India zone.
Food to try at the BLVD World: Fried Rice / Thai Food
If you are craving for Thai food, surprise surprise! There is a Thai Floating Market (yes, just like the one in Thailand!) inside BLVD World, Riyadh.
As for the quality and taste of the food, they’re not bad, but not outstanding either (sorry, my taste bud is 100% Southeast Asian so I have high standard 🤭).
We ordered fried rice, Korean BBQ chicken and ramen soup. If I were to go again, I’d probably try out different menu from the stalls.
Shopping at Boulevard World: What’s worth buying
One of the best things about Boulevard World is the shopping scene. Many country zones feature authentic products imported from their home countries.
What to shop at BLVD World: Dresses & Jalabiyas
I honestly can’t take my eyes off the beautiful dresses and jalabiyas from the Levant country zone. There are varieties of them. I would have absolutely grabbed one if it’s not because I have already so many dresses I haven’t worn in my wardrobe.
What to shop at BLVD World: Herbal Hair Oil
If you’re wondering what to buy at BLVD World, you have to try the herbal hair oil from the India zone. The first time I saw their booth, I was amazed to see how long the ladies’ hair was. There were a couple of ladies standing by the booth selling the oil, and their hair was literally foot-length!
What to shop at BLVD World: Pure African Shea Butter
If you are a fan of shea butter, you have to try the pure shea butter from the Africa zone inside BLVD World. They also sell the popular Sudanese Dilka Scrub.
Entertainment inside the Boulevard World
There are a couple of different entertainments inside BLVD World which includes tech-heavy gaming zones, a massive circular theater with immersive shows, theme park rides as well as dancing and singing performances.
Every country booth has a stage with scheduled cultural dances and parades. If you want to catch the shows, it’s best to check their schedule on the Webook website.
What to wear to Boulevard World (+Outfit Ideas)
Generally, traveling in Saudi Arabia requires you to wear modest clothing regardless of where you’re going, and that includes places or events like the Boulevard World.
While modesty levels differ from one person to another, the modesty expectation in Saudi Arabia usually includes covering your shoulders, cleavage, and knees.
Another hack I could think of is showing “as little skin as possible”. You are not required to wear abaya as it isn’t mandatory anymore in Saudi Arabia, but modesty clothing is is still expected.
As tourist or expats planning to visit the Boulevard World, here are some outfit ideas and recommendations so you don’t need to crack your head thinking on what exactly to wear:
What to wear to BLVD World: Maxi Dress
If you want a feminine, yet modest outfit, you can never go wrong with a maxi dress! If you visit Boulevard World during the winter, you might want to layer up with thermal wear underneath or a winter cardigan on top.
Cotton Long Sleeve Turtleneck Tops
Sidefeel Women’s Wide Leg Jeans
What to wear to BLVD World: Winter Cardigan
If you are visiting Boulevard World during the peak winter season, you might want to wear layers as the temperature can be quite cold.
From my own experience staying at the event until after 10 p.m., the temperature drops below 10 degrees, close to 6 degrees Celsius. Luckily, I was bundled up.
VIMPUNEC Women’s Long Cardigan Sweaters
What to wear to BLVD World: Comfortable Shoes
When visiting BLVD World, it is important for you to wear your most comfy shoes. The place is so huge and you will spend hours walking from one country zone to the other.
How to get to the Boulevard World
E-hailing
Using Uber or Careem is the most convenient way. There are dedicated drop-off and pick-up zones.
Driving
But if you prefer to drive, it is best to come early before 6pm. As the parking spots can be quite full. The second time I was here, my family and I arrived at 7.30pm and we took half an hour to find a parking spot.
If you park far from the entrance, they have a buggy option you can use. However, the buggy ride costs SAR 15 per person.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In this section, I’ll answer some common questions you might have about visiting Boulevard World for the first time.
Q: How much is the entry ticket to BLVD World?
A: Tickets cost SAR 30 per person on weekdays and SAR 40 per person on weekends. Children under 5 years old can enter for free. The same applies to seniors aged 60 and above, provided you present a Riyadh Season card via the Tawakkalna application.
Q: Can I bring food and drinks inside?
A: Outside food and beverages are not permitted. There is a security screening at the entrance, and any outside food, drinks, or prohibited items will be confiscated.
Q: Are pets allowed inside BLVD World?
A: Unfortunately, animals are not allowed inside the venue.
Q: How much should I expect to spend at Boulevard World?
A: While the entry ticket is only SAR 30–40, your total spend will depend on food, coffee, and shopping. If you want to enjoy the rides, expect to pay between SAR 150 and SAR 375 for a pass. For context, my first visit cost only SAR 200 for two people, as we only paid for entry tickets and some light food and tea.
Q: How many hours should I allocate for my visit?
A: If you simply walk through all the country zones without stopping to eat or shop, you could finish in 1–2 hours. However, since you will likely want to watch performances, browse the shops, grab coffee, and enjoy a meal, I recommend allocating at least 3 hours. I personally spent nearly 5 hours there on both of my trips!
