public-investment-fund-and-private-sector-forum-2026

Public Investment Fund – Private Sector Forum 2026

Discover the PIF–Private Sector Forum 2026 in Riyadh, driving Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 through public-private partnerships and investment opportunities.

<p><span>As Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation continues to move the dial, a new phase of collaboration is taking shape. The Public Investment Fund, in partnership with the private sector, will host the fourth edition of the Public Investment Fund – Private Sector Forum on 9–10 February 2026 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre in Riyadh.</span></p>
<p><span>Setting out a practical model of public–private partnership, the forum has not only emerged as one of the Kingdom’s most significant national platforms, but also supports a new development approach grounded in integration, equal opportunity, innovation, and maximising economic and social value.</span></p>
<p><span>This latest edition comes at a decisive stage, as the Public Investment Fund continues to play a central role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation and delivering the objectives of Vision 2030. In doing so, it acts as a linchpin for private sector empowerment and a broader investor base, while strengthening local investment and creating high-quality opportunities across priority sectors.</span></p>
<p><span><img src="https://146414713.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/146414713/public-investment-fund-and-private-sector-forum-2026.png" width="1000" height="550" loading="lazy" alt="public-investment-fund-and-private-sector-forum-2026" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 1000px;"></span></p>
<h2>Forum at a Glance: Scale and Participation</h2>
<p><span>The fourth edition of the Public Investment Fund – Private Sector Forum in 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most impactful yet, with over 12,000 private sector participants expected, more than 200 speakers, and 100+ sessions across six dedicated stages designed to facilitate engagement and business matchmaking. The forum will also feature 120+ PIF portfolio companies and participation from 18 government entities, underlining its scale and breadth. Comparatively, the third edition in 2025 attracted over 12,000 attendees, hosted 50+ workshops and panels, involved 100+ portfolio companies, and saw around 140 memorandums of understanding announced, illustrating year-on-year growth in both scale and outcomes. These figures reflect the forum’s expanding role as a platform for collaboration, tangible public–private partnership deals, and deeper integration of the private sector into Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation agenda.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Strengthening Strategic Partnerships at Scale</h2>
<p><span>At its heart, the forum is a working platform that brings together senior government leaders, executives from national and global companies, entrepreneurs, investors, and representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises. It is designed to reduce complexity and focus on practical outcomes.</span></p>
<p><span>Beyond serving as a showcase of PIF projects and portfolio companies, the forum acts as a conduit between supply and demand. It helps businesses find their footing, align their capabilities with project requirements, and remove barriers that, too often, slow participation in large-scale development. It also brings local supply chains into play and enables national companies to engage with confidence in landmark projects shaping the next phase of growth.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>The Public Investment Fund: A Central Force in Economic Transformation</h2>
<p><span>Today, the Public Investment Fund ranks among the world's largest sovereign wealth funds and sits firmly at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s growth agenda. Its investment scope cuts across a wide range of sectors, from tourism and entertainment to real estate, renewable energy, technology, industry, transport, logistics, sports, media, and culture.</span></p>
<p><span>Through sustained domestic investment, the Fund takes an active hand in creating high-quality jobs, developing national talent, deepening local content, and lifting the private sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP. Collectively, these efforts provide the bedrock for <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/the-journal/vision-2030-the-saudi-arabia-of-tomorrow" rel="noopener">Vision 2030</a>, supporting a long-term shift towards a more diversified, resilient and sustainable economy. </span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Empowering the Private Sector: From Participation to Leadership</h2>
<p><span>Private sector empowerment sits at the heart of the Public Investment Fund’s long-term strategy. The objective is clear and deliberate: to move national companies beyond the conventional role of supplier or contractor and establish them as strategic partners with a direct stake in shaping outcomes. </span></p>
<p><span>This shift is not aspirational; it is already being put into practice. Direct investment opportunities, improved access to mega-projects, structured supplier development initiatives, and targeted financing for small and medium-sized enterprises are reshaping how the private sector engages with Saudi Arabia’s development agenda. Together, these measures are designed to reduce barriers to entry, build capability at scale, and support sustained participation across the value chain.</span></p>
<p><span>The forum plays a central role in reinforcing this direction. It provides clarity where opportunity can feel diffuse and structure where engagement might otherwise be fragmented. In practical terms, the forum:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span>Sets out current and future investment opportunities across PIF’s project portfolio</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br><br></span></li>
<li><span>Enables local companies to integrate into value chains, often at an earlier stage</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br><br></span></li>
<li><span>Supports entrepreneurs and start-ups as ideas progress from concept to commercial delivery</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br><br></span></li>
<li><span>Enhances transparency around project pipelines, procurement processes, and contracting</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br><br></span></li>
<li><span>Opens direct lines of engagement with PIF leadership and portfolio companies</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span>By aligning opportunity with access and ambition with capability, the forum helps the private sector move with confidence from participation towards leadership, positioning national businesses at the forefront of the Kingdom’s next phase of economic development.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Forum Themes: Towards a Diversified and Sustainable Economy</h2>
<p><span>The forum explores a broad set of strategic themes that mirror Saudi Arabia’s economic priorities in the years ahead. Key areas include:</span></p>
<h3>Supply Chains and Industrial Localisation</h3>
<p><span>Strengthening local manufacturing capacity sits high on the agenda. The focus is on reducing reliance on imports, building nationally competitive production ecosystems, and anchoring value creation more firmly within Saudi Arabia’s economic ecosystem.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises</h3>
<p><span>As the backbone of the economy, SMEs play a central role in this transition. The forum explores ways to improve access to major projects, ease financing constraints, and support business development, while ensuring that smaller enterprises are sufficiently equipped to scale and compete.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Innovation and Advanced Technologies</h3>
<p><span>Innovation runs through the forum’s discussions, with particular attention given to artificial intelligence, digital transformation, advanced industrial technologies, and fintech. These tools are increasingly seen not as add-ons, but as essential growth and productivity drivers.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Sustainability and Renewable Energy</h3>
<p><span>The forum places strong emphasis on clean energy, efficient resource use and lower carbon intensity, in line with Saudi Arabia’s wider environmental ambitions. Sustainability is not seen as a constraint but rather as a growth driver to shape and accelerate future investments and development plans.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Investment in Human Capital</h3>
<p><span>Recognising that transformation ultimately rests on people, the forum highlights the importance of skills development, workforce readiness, and closer alignment between education outcomes and labour market needs.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Mega-Projects: Investment Opportunities at Scale</h2>
<p><span>The mega-projects led by the Public Investment Fund stand among the Kingdom’s most powerful engines of growth. They span future cities, global tourism destinations, advanced industrial clusters, next-generation logistics platforms, alongside other major cultural, entertainment and sports developments.</span></p>
<p><span>The forum helps companies gain early visibility into project roadmaps and delivery timelines. This advanced insight allows businesses to prepare ahead, build capabilities and enter long-term strategic partnerships.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Far-Reaching Economic Impact</h2>
<p><span>The forum’s impact extends well beyond announcements or the signing of agreements. Its wider contribution lies in the structural momentum it creates across the economy, including:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span>Stimulating sustained economic growth, rather than short-term uplift</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br><br></span></li>
<li><span>Increasing the private sector’s share of GDP, anchoring diversification in practice</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br><br></span></li>
<li><span>Creating thousands of high-quality jobs, aligned with long-term skills development</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br><br></span></li>
<li><span>Accelerating innovation and entrepreneurship, moving ideas more quickly from concept to market</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br><br></span></li>
<li><span>Facilitating the transfer of knowledge and advanced technologies, strengthening domestic capability</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br><br></span></li>
<li><span>Enhancing the overall business and investment environment, with clearer pathways to participation.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span>These outcomes mark a clear shift from intent to action, with the forum reinforcing confidence among both local and international investors and offering a clear signal of the depth, credibility, and staying power underway.</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br></span><span></span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>A Partnership-Led Economic Future</h2>
<p><span>The Public Investment Fund – Private Sector Forum 2026 captures a simple yet far-reaching truth: Saudi Arabia’s next phase of growth will be shaped through partnerships rather than dependency, collaboration rather than competition, and innovation rather than convention.</span></p>
<p><span>The forum reflects a mature model of public–private cooperation, grounded in integration, shared accountability and long-term value creation. It points towards an economic model that is diversified and competitive, while remaining resilient enough to respond to global pressures and emerging opportunities.</span></p>
<p><span>The Public Investment Fund, alongside the Saudi private sector, is stepping forward with growing confidence, capability, and global ambition, shaping an economic future for the Kingdom defined by purpose, sustained momentum, and a shared stake in what comes next.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p><span>As Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation continues to move the dial, a new phase of collaboration is taking shape. The Public Investment Fund, in partnership with the private sector, will host the fourth edition of the Public Investment Fund – Private Sector Forum on 9–10 February 2026 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre in Riyadh.</span></p>


Saudi Winter Programme: Things To Do This Season

Explore Saudi Arabia’s winter season highlights—from Origins II in Diriyah and AlUla Arts Festival to Riyadh Winter Wonderland and the Saudi Cup.

<p>With the arrival of cooler air, the Kingdom’s cultural calendar has opened up in full: From AlUla Arts Festival to UNESCO-listed Hegra night-time cultural experiences, the launch of the official Saudi Winter programme marks a new chapter in this seasonal shift – one that goes well beyond the weather. Unveiled earlier last year, the initiative builds on five years of steady growth in visitor numbers and tourism spending, with 150 million travellers expected by 2030. Below, we spotlight standout events taking place across the Kingdom this winter – from landmark exhibition sales such as Origins II held in Diriyah to Hegra After Dark revealing the splendour of the Nabataeans.</p>
<p><img src="https://146414713.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/146414713/Saudi%20winter%20program.jpg" width="1000" height="667" loading="lazy" alt="Saudi winter program" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 1000px;"></p>
<h2>Origins II – Riyadh, Diriyah</h2>
<p>Building on the success of the Origins auction in February 2025, <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/the-journal/sothebys-origins-ii-fine-art-in-saudi-arabia" rel="noopener">Origins II</a> continues Sotheby's journey into the Kingdom with a landmark event at the end of January 2026, presenting masterpieces by significant Saudi artists from the past century alongside internationally recognised figures such as Pablo Picasso. The auction coincides with the opening of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale and sits just ahead of Art Basel Doha’s inaugural Middle Eastern edition in February. Prior to the live auction, all Origins II works will be presented in a public exhibition at Diriyah’s Bujairi Terrace, creating a week-long celebration of art and culture set within one of the Kingdom’s most historically significant settings.</p>
<p>In total, more than 70 works form an impressive display of Modern and Contemporary Art, complemented by objects from Ancient Sculpture, 20th-century Design, Prints, and works representing Latin American and South Asian traditions. The ensemble reflects the sophisticated appetite of the Saudi art market and its growing engagement with the international scene.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>AlUla Arts Festival – AlUla</h2>
<p>Held each year in the ancient sands of <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/the-journal/al-ula-saudi-arabias-journey-through-time" rel="noopener">AlUla</a>, AlUla Arts Festival is one of Saudi Arabia’s most enriching winter events. The 2026 edition (16Jan – 14Feb 2026) will retrace the cultural and archaeological history of the region through concerts, storytelling, heritage walks, and open-air dining. Celebrating creativity in all its forms, the festival connects art with innovation in a festive atmosphere set against AlUla’s striking landscapes.</p>
<p>Highlights include the Arduna contemporary art exhibition, Madrasat Addeera’s workshops of traditional crafts and a showcase of innovation at Design Space AlUla, which presents exhibitions, prototypes, and products inspired by heritage and place. At Desert X AlUla 2026, everything unfolds around Space Without Measure, inspired by Kahlil Gibran’s thoughts on the limitless reach of the human spirit. Here, artists from Saudi Arabia and beyond create site-specific installations shaped by the land’s history, culture and sense of time.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Winter at Tantora – AlUla</h2>
<p>Returning to AlUla this December, Winter at Tantora will honour the season with live music, art, and heritage walks through the Old Town. Set among the palm groves and sandstone cliffs of the valley, the festival features open-air concerts at Maraya, pop-up dining by leading chefs, camel races, and bustling artisan souks. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with a focus on Saudi hospitality and cultural exchange. Now in its sixth edition, Winter at Tantora will run through to January 2026, offering a window into AlUla’s rich creative spirit.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Riyadh Winter Wonderland – Riyadh</h2>
<p>There’s something slightly surreal about stepping into a snow-themed winter market in the middle of Riyadh – and that’s exactly the point. Set beneath the towers of King Abdullah Financial District, as well as Boulevard City and Boulevard World, Winter Wonderland is open through to March 2026, with its now-familiar mix of ice rinks, rollercoasters, illusionists, and pop-up food stalls, all lit bright against the desert night. The format draws from a traditional European winter fair but is distinctly Saudi in scale: big, busy, and perfect for families.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Saudi Cup – Riyadh</h2>
<p>The world's richest horse race weekend returns to the capital on February 13 2026, combining fashion, culture, and equestrian beauty in a spectacle set to attract elite jockeys and fans from around the world. More than a race, the Saudi Cup is a celebration of tradition and excellence, highlighting the Kingdom’s equestrian legacy on the global stage. It would also be difficult to ignore that, thanks to its 20 million dollar purse, the Saudi Cup is currently the most lucrative event in horse racing.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>WWE Royal Rumble – Riyadh Season</h2>
<p>For the first time in its 39-year history, WWE’s Royal Rumble is set to be staged outside the US – and it’s coming to Riyadh. Slated for late January as part of Riyadh Season, the Royal Rumble is one of WWE’s biggest annual events, known for its 30-person over-the-top-rope format and dramatic surprise entrants. The move follows a series of major WWE pay-per-view events in Saudi, but this one marks a shift in scale and symbolism. It’s historic for wrestling fans, and it’s another headline on an increasingly global calendar for Riyadh.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Jeddah Winter Wonderland &amp; Global Street – Jeddah</h2>
<p>The city’s waterfront near the Corniche Circuit is lit up with Jeddah Winter Wonderland attractions, which unfold with a series of themed spaces designed to suit different moods and ages. Running until mid February 2026, the experience is arranged across several zones, including Wild Winter, Frost Fair and the North Pole, each offering its own rhythm. Some areas are energetic and playful, others slower and more reflective, allowing visitors to move at their own pace rather than follow a fixed route. Open from late afternoon into the evening, the atmosphere shifts as the light fades, with weekends stretching a little later for those happy to stay on. At the heart of it, the ice rink brings a simple pleasure, as the music drifts across the space and skaters of all ages take to ice.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Ithra Winter Season – Dhahran, Eastern Province</h2>
<p>Not all winter events in Saudi are about lights, rides, and spectacle. At Ithra – the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture in Dhahran – the season takes on a calmer rhythm. This year’s Winter Season opened in late October 2025 and runs through to the end of April 2026, with a curated programme of exhibitions, film screenings and workshops exploring the shared experience of art and language. The architecture alone is worth the visit, but what keeps people returning is the mood: reflective and deeply local. For those looking to slow down rather than speed up this winter, Ithra offers space to do exactly that.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>With the arrival of cooler air, the Kingdom’s cultural calendar has opened up in full: From AlUla Arts Festival to UNESCO-listed Hegra night-time cultural experiences, the launch of the official Saudi Winter programme marks a new chapter in this seasonal shift – one that goes well beyond the weather. Unveiled earlier last year, the initiative builds on five years of steady growth in visitor numbers and tourism spending, with 150 million travellers expected by 2030. Below, we spotlight standout events taking place across the Kingdom this winter – from landmark exhibition sales such as Origins II held in Diriyah to Hegra After Dark revealing the splendour of the Nabataeans.</p>


saudi-arabia-introduction-of-foreign-property-ownership-law

Saudi Arabia Confirms Introduction of Foreign Property Ownership Law

Saudi Arabia now allows non-Saudis to own property across most regions, opening the market to global investment and supporting Vision 2030’s growth.

<p><span style="color: #000000;">Saudi Arabia’s General Real Estate Authority announced that the law permitting non-Saudis to own property came into force on Thursday 22 January. The authority confirmed that Saudi Arabia’s “Real Estate Portal” will serve as the official digital platform for implementing the new ownership framework.</span></p>
<p>Under the law, non-Saudi individuals and companies are permitted to own property across most regions of the Kingdom. A separate regulatory framework applies to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, where ownership rights are restricted exclusively to Muslim individuals.</p>
<p>The enactment of Saudi Arabia’s law, permitting non-Saudis to own real estate, marks a defining moment for the Kingdom’s property sector. It represents not only a significant regulatory shift, but also a strategic and policy-driven repositioning of the Saudi real estate market on both a regional and global stage. Far from being a standalone legislative change, the move forms part of a wider economic recalibration, for which the aim is to steer and diversify the nation’s economic development. This step is expected to broaden income streams and enhance Saudi Arabia’s appeal to foreign direct investment. It also aligns directly with the objectives of Vision 2030.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://146414713.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/146414713/saudi%20real%20estate%20blog.jpg" width="1000" height="667" loading="lazy" alt="saudi real estate blog" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 1000px;"></p>
<h2>A Change in Regulation With Market-Wide Influence</h2>
<p>For many years, foreign ownership of <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/buy/property-for-sale" rel="noopener">property in Saudi Arabia</a> was subject to strict limitations, confined to narrow frameworks or indirect arrangements such as ownership through companies or long-term usufruct agreements. The new system represents a clear departure from this approach, shifting the focus from restriction to regulation and from prohibition to structured oversight.</p>
<p>Rather than preventing foreign participation outright, the emphasis is now on managing ownership in a way that balances capital inflows with social and economic safeguards. Taken together, these measures are intended to create a more stable and predictable investment environment, an essential condition for attracting long-term foreign capital.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>A Property Market Drawing Broader Attention</h2>
<p>Opening property ownership to non-Saudis is likely to alter perceptions of the Saudi real estate market beyond the Kingdom. The change coincides with a period marked by solid economic fundamentals, extensive infrastructure investment, large-scale urban development, and steady demographic growth.</p>
<p>The entry of foreign investors, whether individuals or institutions, is likely to increase demand, particularly in major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, as well as in emerging tourism and economic destinations. This additional demand is expected to stimulate development activity, raise the quality of real estate products, and broaden the range of options available in the market.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Direct Impact on Major Development Projects</h2>
<p>Among the primary beneficiaries of the new law are the large-scale projects that are developed as part of <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/the-journal/vision-2030-the-saudi-arabia-of-tomorrow" rel="noopener">Vision 2030</a>, including smart cities, tourism destinations, and mixed-use developments. From the outset, these projects were designed with an international audience in mind, setting their sights on attracting investors, residents and visitors beyond the domestic market.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In practical terms, foreign ownership strengthens the ability of such projects to attract long-term capital, supports deeper collaboration with international development partners, and contributes to more stable occupancy levels. Over time, this broadens their economic base and reduces reliance on purely local sales or leasing models, and reinforces the long-term sustainability of large-scale developments.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>A Broader Range of Property and Rising Standards</h2>
<p>As investors and buyers from diverse markets enter the Saudi real estate sector, the range and quality of products on offer are expected to evolve. Demand is likely to increase for high-end apartments, integrated residential communities, premium office space, and mixed-use developments that combine living, working, and leisure.</p>
<p>This shift will encourage local developers to raise design, construction, and management standards, to align closely with international benchmarks in sustainability, services, and user experience. Consequently, the law’s impact extends beyond the soaring demand to include a tangible improvement in the quality of supply.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>What This Means for Financing and Banks</h2>
<p>The growth in real estate activity resulting from the opening of ownership to non-Saudis will result in a prominent shift in the financing and banking sectors. Higher transaction volumes and the entry of new investors are expected to stimulate mortgage activity and lead to the development of new financial products tailored to the needs of non-Saudi buyers, whether residents or overseas investors.</p>
<p>Increased market activity is expected to feed through into associated services, including valuation, asset and property management, and legal advisory,contributing to a more joined-up real estate sector and wider professional employment opportunities.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Keeping the Market on an Even Keel</h2>
<p>While the benefits are considerable, opening property ownership to non-Saudis is not without its challenges, it introduces risks that require careful oversight.</p>
<p>One of the most notable risks is a potential rise in prices in prime areas due to increased demand, particularly in the short term. This highlights the importance of regulatory oversight to prevent price inflation, avoid speculative bubbles, and preserve homeownership opportunities for citizens.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>The success of the initiative will depend heavily on&nbsp; the clarity of implementing the regulations, the ease of procedures, and the transparency of real estate data. Any administrative complexity or regulatory uncertainty could dilute the intended benefits and weigh on investor confidence.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>A Measured Step Within a Broader Economic Strategy</h2>
<p>The new law of foreign ownership cannot be seen in isolation from the wider programme of economic reform. It sits alongside investment regulations, updates to commercial law, efforts to improve the business environment, liberalisation of tourism and policies aimed at attracting global talent. Given its close connection to the wider economy, the real estate sector is likely to serve as one of the clearest gauges of how effectively these reforms translate into practice. If managed with care, the market has scope to develop beyond its traditional domestic focus, evolving into one with greater international relevance and reach.</p>
<p>The introduction of the foreign ownership law marks the opening of a new phase for Saudi Arabia’s property market, one that is characterised by regulated openness, growing competitiveness and an emphasis on long-term sustainability.&nbsp;</p>
<p>As Vision 2030 continues to unfold, the Kingdom’s real estate sector appears set for a more qualitative transformation, with the potential to secure a stronger position among the region’s, and increasingly the world’s, most compelling property markets.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>{{ include_custom_fonts({"__BentonSans_2d01b9":["Light","Regular"],"FreightBig":["Regular"]}) }}

<p><span style="color: #000000;">Saudi Arabia’s General Real Estate Authority announced that the law permitting non-Saudis to own property came into force on Thursday 22 January. The authority confirmed that Saudi Arabia’s “Real Estate Portal” will serve as the official digital platform for implementing the new ownership framework.</span></p>


Green Is The New Gold: Inside Saudi Arabia’s Eco-Renaissance

How Saudi Arabia is redefining sustainability through Vision 2030, from renewable energy and regenerative tourism to heritage-led and eco-conscious urban design.

<p>The story of Saudi Arabia is inextricably linked to its greatest natural resource: oil. Since the 1930s, vast reserves of this ‘black gold’ have reshaped both the domestic and global economy, catapulting the Kingdom onto the world stage. Today, a new kind of transformation is underway – one that places ecological sensitivity and sustainability at the centre of national ambition. From solar-powered cities and regenerative tourism to desert architecture rooted in ecology, Saudi today is actively reshaping its identity through a more environmental lens, backed by Vision 2030.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://146414713.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/146414713/sustainability%20in%20saudi%20arabia.jpg" width="1000" height="563" loading="lazy" alt="sustainability in saudi arabia" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 1000px;"></p>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>Vision 2030: Sustainability as Strategy, Not Slogan</h2>
<p>Launched in 2016, <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/the-journal/vision-2030-the-saudi-arabia-of-tomorrow" rel="noopener">Vision 2030</a> is Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan – a roadmap designed to reduce reliance on oil, stimulate private sector growth, and cultivate a knowledge-based economy. Central to the plan are sweeping sustainability commitments, including:</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Generating 50% of the country’s energy from renewable sources by 2030</li>
<li aria-level="1">Planting 10 billion trees across the Kingdom under the Saudi Green Initiative</li>
<li aria-level="1">Designating more than 30% of Saudi’s land and sea as protected natural areas</li>
<li aria-level="1">Establishing carbon-neutral tourism zones, including The Red Sea and AMAALA</li>
<li aria-level="1">Investing in clean hydrogen production and carbon capture technologies</li>
</ul>
<p>Many of these initiatives have already moved from vision to execution. The <span>Sakaka solar plant</span> is already operational, powering homes with zero emissions, and the <span>Dumat Al Jandal wind farm</span> is now online, providing over 400 megawatts of clean energy. Across giga-projects like NEOM and The Red Sea, new construction codes mandate the use of low-impact materials, off-grid power solutions, and zero-waste policies.</p>
<p>What’s emerging is something of a paradox: the Kingdom’s oil wealth is now funding its environmental reinvention – a strategic use of surplus to build a more sustainable future.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Sustainability in Practice:&nbsp;Flagships of New Saudi Arabia</h2>
<h3>The Red Sea: Regenerative Tourism at Scale</h3>
<p>One of the most spectacular and ecologically captivating developments taking shape in Saudi Arabia today is the Red Sea – a largely untouched cluster of more than 90 white-sand islands and islets. Historically closed to travellers, this region is now blazing the trail for regenerative development: a pioneering approach that seeks not only to preserve the environment, but to restore and enhance it. At the forefront here are <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/red-sea"><span>The Red Sea</span></a>, both led by Red Sea Global.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Prior to construction, the region’s marine and coastal ecosystems were surveyed in depth, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove forests, and key wildlife habitats such as turtle nesting beaches and migratory bird zones. These studies informed a development framework with strict environmental limits – just 22 of the 90 islands will be developed. These ecosystems are still monitored in real time using AI-enabled platforms that track reef health, water quality, and habitat shifts across land and sea.</p>
<p>Architecture in the Red Sea reflects both climate and context. Locally inspired materials – sand-toned stone, light wood, woven screens – blend with the natural landscape and support passive cooling. Similarly, residences in the nearby <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/properties/buy/villa-for-sale-red-sea-shura-four-seasons-private-residences-46722" rel="noopener"><span>Four Seasons Resort and Residences</span></a> feature deep-set façades, low-carbon concrete, and extensive overhangs designed to limit solar heat gain. Across all destinations in The Red Sea, renewable energy powers every aspect of daily operations, from desalination to transport.</p>
<p>Beyond the built environment, marine protected areas have been declared across vast sections of coastline, preserving fragile habitats above and below the surface. Some resorts, such as <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/project/nujuma-ritz-carlton-reserve-residence" rel="noopener">Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve</a>, even have resident naturalists and astronomers on staff, placing the natural world at the heart of the guest experience.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Diriyah: Heritage as a Framework for Sustainability</h3>
<p>On the northwestern edge of Riyadh lies Diriyah, the birthplace of the First Saudi State and one of the Kingdom’s most culturally charged redevelopment projects. Diriyah is rooted in a different kind of sustainability – one that draws from the vernacular of traditional Najdi design. In this postcard-perfect Saudi city, earthen mudbrick facades are used to naturally regulate heat, placed along carefully planned narrow streets that limit sun exposure – all age-old strategies that respond intuitively to desert conditions.</p>
<p>New <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/buy/property-for-sale"><span>luxury residences</span></a> carry these Najdi principles forward with intention. Villas and apartment blocks are arranged around shaded corridors planted with ghaf trees, tamarisk, and desert grass – hardy species selected for their low water demand. It’s no surprise that Diriyah has earned both LEED Platinum and Mostadam (Ajwad) certifications – a rare double honour that reflects just how deeply sustainability is considered in the revival of this historic district.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Final Thoughts: A Lasting Shift in Perspective</h3>
<p>With the pace at which Saudi Arabia is growing, it’s easy to forget the landscape it’s growing in: hot, vast, and largely rainless for most of the year. Historically, this land has been sustained only by small, resourceful Bedouin communities who moved with the seasons and understood the land’s limits intimately. In that context, the Kingdom’s embrace of regenerative development – wind farms, biophilic gardens, marine zoning – is nothing short of triumphant. It’s proof that meaningful change, when pursued with clarity, is entirely possible.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>The story of Saudi Arabia is inextricably linked to its greatest natural resource: oil. Since the 1930s, vast reserves of this ‘black gold’ have reshaped both the domestic and global economy, catapulting the Kingdom onto the world stage. Today, a new kind of transformation is underway – one that places ecological sensitivity and sustainability at the centre of national ambition. From solar-powered cities and regenerative tourism to desert architecture rooted in ecology, Saudi today is actively reshaping its identity through a more environmental lens, backed by Vision 2030.</p>


The Most Widely Used Artificial Intelligence Tools in Saudi Arabia

Explore how AI is transforming Saudi Arabia, from ChatGPT and Gemini to enterprise tools, creative apps, and Arabic-focused innovations.

<p>In today’s Saudi Arabia, artificial intelligence is equally tangible in plain sight but also quietly in the background. It powers the quick answers on a phone screen, but it is also steadily threading through boardrooms, classrooms, and public services. This momentum sits squarely within Saudi’s wider digital transformation drive while also being propelled by day-to-day practicality and real-world demand. In fact, AI tools are proving their value by shortening workflows, improving output quality, and automating repetitive tasks that quietly absorb time across every sector.</p>
<p>Recent studies bring the scale of this adoption into sharper focus. Local surveys suggest that around 49% of Saudis use AI tools regularly, a marked increase on previous years.&nbsp; Most users report a positive effect on both professional output and daily routines. Separate findings indicate that roughly 80% of adults have tried at least one AI tool, with close to one-third using them daily. At the organisational level, more than half of Saudi companies now rely on AI in day-to-day operations, signalling a shift from curiosity to routine integration.</p>
<p>This article maps the most widely used AI tools and their application across various categories in Saudi Arabia, while explaining what they are used for, why they matter, and how they are shaping the Kingdom’s evolving digital landscape.</p>
<p><img src="https://146414713.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/146414713/real%20estate%20apps.jpg" width="1000" height="667" loading="lazy" alt="real estate apps" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 1000px;"></p>
<h2>1. ChatGPT: The Dominant Conversational AI Tool</h2>
<p>ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is the clear front-runner among AI tools used in Saudi Arabia. It is widely preferred by individuals and companies for content writing, idea generation, translation, customer support, and interactive reporting.</p>
<p>Within Saudi Arabia, traffic-based analyses indicate that ChatGPT dominates the chatbot landscape with roughly 82% market share by the end of 2025. That scale matters because it shapes habit and language: the tool that becomes the default tends to define what “using AI” looks like for most people.</p>
<p>ChatGPT’s lead is tied to three practical strengths: speed, breadth of use cases, and multilingual performance. In a market where users frequently move between Arabic and English, that flexibility is not a feature. It is a requirement.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>2. Google Gemini: A General-Purpose AI Assistant Embedded in Daily Life</h2>
<p>Google’s Gemini has gained substantial traction in Saudi Arabia as a broad, all-purpose AI assistant, particularly on smartphones. It is commonly used for smart search, instant answers, text analysis, and routine task automation.</p>
<p>Local estimates suggest that Gemini accounts for 8–9% of chatbot usage in Saudi Arabia, positioning it as the second most used option after ChatGPT. It tends to resonate most with students, researchers, and professionals working within Google’s ecosystem, and where AI becomes an extension of the tools they use daily: search, documents, email workflows, and mobile productivity.</p>
<p>For many users, Gemini’s strength lies in how intrusively it integrates into the daily digital rhythm, becoming a tool that people use day by day.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>3. Microsoft Copilot: AI Where Corporate Work Happens</h2>
<p>Microsoft Copilot’s adoption is closely tied to institutional behaviour. For Saudi organisations that run on Microsoft 365, Copilot functions less like a separate tool and more like across the workplace stack.</p>
<p>It is used for drafting and structuring documents, improving language output, analysing spreadsheets, and generating PowerPoint presentations with greater speed. While its chatbot market share may be smaller than consumer-first tools, its strategic value is disproportionately high because it sits directly inside enterprise workflows.</p>
<p>In practical terms, Copilot’s appeal lies in its ability to adapt to existing workflows, improving output without requiring teams to change platforms.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>4. AI-Driven Creative Tools: The Rise of Large-Scale Image and Video Production</h2>
<p>Beyond chat and productivity assistants, Saudi Arabia has seen a sharp rise in AI-enabled creative tools used for design, marketing, and content publishing.</p>
<p>Two categories stand out:</p>
<p><strong>Canva AI</strong>, which integrates AI into design workflows such as image editing, ad design, and rapid social content creation.</p>
<p><strong>Text-to-video tools</strong>, used to convert written concepts into short-form video content suited to modern social platforms.</p>
<p>These tools are particularly popular among content creators, digital marketers, and small business owners who need strong visual output without the cost, time, or complexity of traditional production pipelines.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>5. Arabic-focused AI tools: Language, Dialect, and Cultural Alignment</h2>
<p>Alongside global platforms, there is rising demand for tools built specifically for Arabic language needs. These tools are commonly used for Arabic content writing, proofreading, rewriting, and stylistic enhancement with cultural sensitivity.</p>
<p>Saudi Arabia has also introduced locally developed chatbots built on large language models designed to perform more effectively in Arabic. These tools are put to use where language accuracy and cultural alignment matter most, including education-facing services and government applications.</p>
<p>This category reflects the tendency towards making AI speak the language people actually use, rather than translating into it.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>6. Enterprise Analytics and Customer Experience Tools: AI Behind the Scenes</h2>
<p>In sectors such as telecommunications, financial services, and e-commerce, AI adoption often happens behind the scenes, embedded in analytics and customer experience systems.</p>
<p>Companies use AI to interpret large datasets, forecast customer behaviour, improve ad targeting, and support faster decision-making. In operational environments, AI is less about conversation and more about prediction, segmentation, and optimisation.</p>
<p>This is where AI becomes structural: it shapes outcomes without being visible to the user.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>7. Entertainment and Interactive Use: AI as A Consumer Habit</h2>
<p>AI in Saudi Arabia also extends into entertainment and personal assistance, including interactive chat applications, AI-powered games, and voice assistants. These tools are increasingly becoming part of consumers’ lives, strengthening familiarity and comfort with AI-driven interaction.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Clear Adoption Trends in Saudi Arabia</h2>
<p>Several signals are now difficult to ignore:</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Consistent usage where trial becomes habit: recent study shows that roughly half of the population uses AI tools regularly, with 80% having used AI tools at least once, and daily use becoming normalised for a substantial population segment.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Organisations are operationalising AI: more than half of companies have moved past the initial discovery phase and are now actively deploying AI.<br><br></li>
</ul>
<h2>Conclusion: From Tool Adoption to a New Operating Layer</h2>
<p>Artificial intelligence is becoming an integral part of daily digital life in Saudi Arabia, for&nbsp; individuals and institutions. From ChatGPT in conversational and content workflows, to Gemini and Copilot in integrated productivity environments, to creative tools reshaping how marketing content is produced, AI is increasingly acting as a practical operating tool for work, learning, and digital engagement.</p>
<p>Challenges remain, particularly around Arabic nuance, cultural context, and consistency in language output. Yet continued local development and increased market maturity suggest that these gaps are being actively addressed. Considering the deeper adoption across different sectors, the Kingdom’s AI scene is likely to be defined by these tools that quietly reshape how people work, communicate, and make decisions.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>In today’s Saudi Arabia, artificial intelligence is equally tangible in plain sight but also quietly in the background. It powers the quick answers on a phone screen, but it is also steadily threading through boardrooms, classrooms, and public services. This momentum sits squarely within Saudi’s wider digital transformation drive while also being propelled by day-to-day practicality and real-world demand. In fact, AI tools are proving their value by shortening workflows, improving output quality, and automating repetitive tasks that quietly absorb time across every sector.</p>


beaches-and-coastal-destinations-in-saudi-arabia

Along Saudi Arabia’s Shores: Swells, Reefs, and Serene Islands

Explore Saudi Arabia’s diverse coastlines, from the Red Sea’s islands to the Arabian Gulf’s family beaches, blending natural beauty with sustainable tourism.

<p>Beyond Jeddah’s horizon and the immense getaways crowning the shores of the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia’s coastlines speak a language that is older and more elemental. As the Kingdom’s urban development continues to expand at speed, long stretches of its 3,400-kilometre shoreline remain closely tied to reef systems, currents and prevailing winds. Shaped not by stone or clay, as with Saudi Arabia’s historic villages, these coastal landscapes preserve centuries of maritime life, local knowledge and regional identity.</p>
<p>Stretching along the Red Sea to the west, the Arabian Gulf to the east, and touching the Gulf of Aqaba in the northwest, Saudi Arabia’s shores open onto endless white sand beaches, island chains, shallow lagoons and gently moving water. Together, they form one of the most diverse marine environments in the region. What follows is an exploration of the kingdom’s most notable coasts from the island-studded waters of Umluj to the family-oriented shores of the Gulf.</p>
<p><img src="https://146414713.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/146414713/coastal%20destinations%20ksa.jpg" width="1000" height="667" loading="lazy" alt="coastal destinations ksa" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 1000px;"></p>
<h2>Red Sea Coast – Landscapes forged by Water and Trade</h2>
<p>When people picture Saudi Arabia, vast deserts and monumental architecture often spring to mind. Along the coast of the <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/red-sea" rel="noopener">Red Sea</a>, a different picture emerges as the shoreline unfolds and coastal life, long shaped by fishing routes, trade passages and seasonal movement between shore and sea, carries countless stories.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Umluj – Islands, Light and Stillness</h3>
<p>Fronting the north-western Red Sea coast, Umluj reveals one of the Kingdom’s most striking coastal environments. The sea here is glassy, shifting in tone from pale turquoise to deep blue, while low-lying islands sit scattered offshore, shaped almost entirely by coral and currents.</p>
<p>Historically associated with fishing and humble maritime life, Umluj remains largely untouched. Time loosens its grip along this stretch of shore, and the experience is, altogether, defined by atmosphere.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Yanbu – Reefs Close to Shore</h3>
<p>Further south, Yanbu displays a different coastal charm. Coral reefs lie remarkably close to the shoreline, visible beneath the surface of the still waters. For generations, these reefs sustained fishing communities and passing vessels that moved between the Red Sea and inland routes.</p>
<p>Today, Yanbu is known for its organised beaches and accessible snorkelling and diving. Narrow stretches of sand lead directly into reef-lined shallows, while the city itself balances modern services with a long-standing relationship to the sea.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Jeddah – A City Woven into the Coast</h3>
<p>In Jeddah, the shoreline is inseparable from the city’s day-to-day life. The Corniche runs for kilometres along the Red Sea, offering open views, shaded walkways and gathering spaces that are used well into the evening.</p>
<p>To the north, areas such as Obhur recall Jeddah’s long history as a port city and maritime gateway. Yachts and private resorts sit alongside established coastal districts, an environment best known for water sports and recreational boating.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Saudi Arabia’s Islands – Largely Untouched Marine Landscapes</h2>
<p>Beyond the mainland, a number of Saudi Arabia’s islands remain deeply intact, shaped far more by ecology than development.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Farasan Islands – The South’s Hidden Pearl</h3>
<p>Off the coast of Jazan, the <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/the-journal/farsan-island-saudi-arabias-most-significant-island" rel="noopener">Farasan Islands</a> form a low-lying archipelago surrounded by rare coral reef systems and nutrient-rich waters. Shaped over generations by fishing and pearl diving, the islands retain a strong connection to traditional maritime life.</p>
<p>Mangroves line parts of the coast, marine species are abundant, and the sense of isolation is pronounced. The Farasan Islands offer one of the clearest windows into Saudi Arabia’s coastal ecosystems.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Red Sea Tourism Islands</h3>
<p>Along parts of the Red Sea, select islands are now being reintroduced as destinations through carefully controlled development. Architecture remains low, access limited, and natural features largely preserved.</p>
<p>Rather than reshaping the landscape, these projects are designed around it, allowing reefs, beaches and natural contours to remain central. The result is a form of coastal tourism rooted in restraint and long-term preservation.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>The Red Sea Project – A Turning Point in Coastal Tourism</h2>
<p>Stretching across a vast section of the western shoreline, the <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/the-journal/red-sea-project" rel="noopener">Red Sea Project</a> marks a shift in how Saudi Arabia approaches coastal development, with a clear emphasis on environmental protection and sustainability. Encompassing dozens of islands and largely untouched beaches, significant areas remain off-limits.</p>
<p>Within this framework, the project brings together internationally branded resorts, private beaches, dedicated diving facilities and areas set aside for observing marine life. Shaped around privacy and natural integrity, it has quietly boosted Saudi Arabia’s profile as a maritime destination, placing it in dialogue with some of the world’s most established coastal landscapes.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Arabian Gulf Coast – Calm Shores for Everyday Life</h2>
<p>On the eastern side of the Kingdom, the Arabian Gulf presents a different coastal rhythm, defined by gentler waters and long-established urban communities.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Al Khobar – A Coastline for Daily Living</h2>
<p><a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/the-journal/beautiful-saudi-arabia" rel="noopener">Al Khobar’s waterfront</a> is shaped by ease, accessibility and family-oriented beaches. Promenades, green spaces and sheltered beaches support walking, family gatherings and casual outdoor life.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Jubail – Planned Shores, Practical Design</h2>
<p>In Jubail, the coastline reflects modern planning and infrastructure. Beaches are clean, organised and designed for regular use, with facilities that support families and local visitors.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Living with the Sea – Activities Rooted in Place</h2>
<p>Across Saudi Arabia, coastal life supports a wide range of activities, many of which echo long-standing relationships with the sea:</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Diving and snorkelling among coral systems of regional ecological significance</li>
<li aria-level="1">Fishing trips shaped by traditional maritime knowledge</li>
<li aria-level="1">Sailing and boating along historic coastal routes</li>
<li aria-level="1">Beachside camping and evenings spent watching the light fade over the water</li>
</ul>
<p>This breadth has allowed Saudi Arabia’s coastal destinations to speak to a wide range of visitors, from families to those drawn by adventure and more considered forms of luxury.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>A Coastline Looking Forward While Remaining Intact</h2>
<p>Saudi Arabia’s beaches are undergoing rapid change, marked by expanding infrastructure and the steady development of tourism services. This shift is accompanied by an increasing attention to environmental care. In the same breadth, the Kingdom is working to strike a careful balance between opening its shores to visitors and safeguarding their natural character.</p>
<p>All told, Saudi Arabia’s beaches and maritime destinations represent a genuine natural and tourism asset, shaped by coastal beauty and an evolving approach to development. From Umluj, Yanbu and Jeddah, to Al Khobar and Jubail on the Arabian Gulf, and out towards largely untouched islands and emerging Red Sea projects, these coastlines reveal the breadth and complexity of Saudi Arabia’s relationship with the sea.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Beyond Jeddah’s horizon and the immense getaways crowning the shores of the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia’s coastlines speak a language that is older and more elemental. As the Kingdom’s urban development continues to expand at speed, long stretches of its 3,400-kilometre shoreline remain closely tied to reef systems, currents and prevailing winds. Shaped not by stone or clay, as with Saudi Arabia’s historic villages, these coastal landscapes preserve centuries of maritime life, local knowledge and regional identity.</p>


The Most Prominent Saudi Islands in the Red Sea

Explore Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea islands, from Shura to Farasan, offering pristine beaches, marine adventures, and sustainable luxury escapes.

<p>The Red Sea islands of Saudi Arabia stand among the nation’s most enchanting natural escapes, offering an exquisite balance of untouched beauty and absolute tranquillity. For travellers in search of adventure or a serene retreat, these islands provide the perfect sanctuary to disconnect from the everyday and immerse in breathtaking seascapes.</p>

<p>With a remarkable ecological diversity and picturesque landscapes, they are often described as a true paradise on earth. These islands are a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy to cultivate sustainable tourism with the development of The Red Sea destination — a mixed-used project comprising high-end residences, five-star resorts, and extensive leisure facilities. Sustainability is at the forefront of the project’s design and concept, offering a unique coastal lifestyle while safeguarding the environment and preserving biodiversity.</p>
<p>In this article, we journey across some of the Red Sea’s most mesmerising islands — hidden gems that promise adventure, discovery and relaxation, making them worthy of your next escape.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://146414713.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/146414713/Imported%20sitepage%20images/unnamed%20(13)-png-1-3.png" width="1000" height="581" loading="lazy" alt="unnamed (13)-png-1-3" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 1000px;"></p>
<h2>Red Sea Islands: Unforgettable Marine Adventures</h2>
<p>While Saudi Arabia is often synonymous with vast deserts and majestic sand dunes, <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/red-sea" rel="noopener">the Red Sea</a> reveals a different facet of the Kingdom’s natural charm. Its western coastline unveils a spectacular archipelago of more than 90 largely unexplored islands, fringed by coral reefs and imbued with cultural and historical resonance. Only 22 of these islands will be developed as part of <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/the-journal/red-sea-project" rel="noopener">The Red Sea project</a>, with the rest set aside for conservation.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Here, we highlight six of the most remarkable islands:</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Shura (Shurayrah) Island</li>
<li aria-level="1">Laheq Island</li>
<li aria-level="1">Sanafir Island</li>
<li aria-level="1">Farasan Islands</li>
<li aria-level="1">Jana Island</li>
<li aria-level="1">Tiran Island<br><br></li>
</ul>
<h2>Shura Island: The Beating Heart of the Red Sea</h2>
<p>This naturally dolphin-shaped island is the nerve centre of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea megaproject and is its main lifestyle hub. Easily accessible from <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/the-journal/red-sea-airport" rel="noopener">Red Sea International Airport</a> (RSI) in under half an hour, <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/developments/red-sea/shura-island" rel="noopener">Shura Island</a> will, on completion, offer 11 hotels and a mix of both branded and locally managed residences. All of the projects on the island have been conceptualised by Foster + Partners, drawing inspiration from the coastal landscape.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Highlights &amp; Activities:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Branded residences from hospitality brands like <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/project/sls-red-sea-residences" rel="noopener">SLS</a>, <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/project/private-residences-red-sea" rel="noopener">Four Seasons</a> and Jumeirah Group</li>
<li aria-level="1">Diving and snorkelling amongst colourful coral reefs</li>
<li aria-level="1">Water sports such as kayaking and surfing</li>
<li aria-level="1">Scenic hikes and walks complemented by sunset views</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>How to Get There:</strong></p>
<p>A dedicated fleet of electric vehicles provides direct access to Shura Island from Red Sea International Airport. The island is also accessible by boat from coastal cities such as Jeddah or Yanbu.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Laheq Island</h2>
<p>Like the neighbouring Shurayrah, <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/laheq-island-red-sea" rel="noopener">Laheq</a> is another key element of The Red Sea. The island is primarily residential and offers a lifestyle focused on relaxation and connection with nature. At the heart of Laheq is The Ring, surrounding a turquoise lagoon spanning 800 metres.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Highlights &amp; Activities:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">A golf club, marina, souq and more for a comprehensive lifestyle</li>
<li aria-level="1">Centred on a pristine lagoon with awe-inspiring views</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>How to Get There:</strong></p>
<p>It can be easily reached by boat from Saudi Arabia’s coastal cities and from neighbouring Shura Island.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Sanafir Island: A Marine Sanctuary</h2>
<p>Nestled close to Tiran Island, Sanafir Island came under Saudi sovereignty in 2016. It is celebrated for its clear azure waters and untouched beaches, offering an unspoilt haven for lovers of the sea. Its diverse reefs and natural charm captivate visitors at every turn.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Highlights &amp; Activities:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Diving excursions among coral gardens</li>
<li aria-level="1">Enjoying natural views and unwinding on secluded beaches</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>How to Get There:</strong></p>
<p>It can be easily reached by boat from Sharm El Sheikh Port, often as part of combined tours with nearby Tiran Island.</p>
<p><br><br></p>
<h2>The Farasan Islands: A Blend of Nature and Heritage</h2>
<p>Off the coast of <span style="font-family: __BentonSans_2d01b9; font-weight: 300;">Jazan, the Farasan Islands </span>are a collection of coral isles with both natural beauty and ancient history. Their mangrove forests and rare wildlife — such as sea turtles and reef sharks — coexist alongside historic treasures like the Ottoman fort, Al-Najdi Mosque and the stately Rifai House, making these islands an integrated tourist destination that combines adventure, relaxation and culture.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Key Attractions:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Mangrove ecosystems</li>
<li aria-level="1">Ottoman fort, Al-Najdi Mosque and Rifai House</li>
<li aria-level="1">Birdwatching: rare species like flamingos and grey pelicans</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Highlights &amp; Activities:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Snorkelling and diving</li>
<li aria-level="1">Heritage tours of historic landmarks</li>
<li aria-level="1">Island-hopping across white sandy beaches</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>How to Get There:</strong></p>
<p>Ferries depart regularly from the ferry terminal at Jazan Port, with the option to take your car on board.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Jana Island: Serenity and Seascapes</h2>
<p>Close to Jubail Industrial City and located in the Kingdom’s Eastern Province, Jana Island is a sanctuary of stillness. Home to green sea turtles and fringed with translucent waters and natural splendour, it is perfect for moments of solitude and quiet reflection.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Highlights &amp; Activities:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Scuba diving in crystalline waters</li>
<li aria-level="1">Boat tours exploring island landmarks and coral reefs<br><br></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>How to Get There:</strong></p>
<p>You can take a boat from Jubail Port, with comprehensive tours including water activities and on-board dining experiences.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Tiran Island: A Diver’s Dream</h2>
<p>At the mouth of the Straits of Tiran, this celebrated island links the Gulf of Aqaba with the Red Sea. Renowned for its vibrant underwater ecosystems, Tiran Island is a magnet for divers and snorkellers. It is surrounded by coral reefs that create a natural wonder teeming with marine life, while dolphins and other sea creatures can often be spotted en route.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Highlights &amp; Activities:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Diving and snorkelling across famous reefs</li>
<li aria-level="1">Dolphin-watching excursions and a stop at Ras Mohammed Nature Reserve</li>
<li aria-level="1">Boat tours including meals</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>How to Get There:</strong></p>
<p>Most visitors arrive via boat from Sharm El Sheikh, with comprehensive tours offering both dining and water-based activities.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Travel Tips for Visiting the Red Sea Islands</h2>
<p>To ensure a smooth and memorable experience:</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Choose the best time to visit:</strong> it is preferable to visit between November to February for milder weather.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Dress code:</strong> wear light, comfortable clothing while observing modesty.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Book in advance:</strong> This is especially for boat tours and island excursions during peak seasons.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Respect nature:</strong> Adhere to instructions to protect coral reefs and avoid disturbing marine life.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Essentials:</strong> Bring sunscreen, water and a camera for unforgettable moments.</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>A Paradise Awaiting Discovery</h2>
<p>The Red Sea islands of Saudi Arabia are among the nation’s most attractive tourist destinations. Offering a rare blend of raw natural beauty, thrilling adventures and cultural depth, they are as much a place for exploration as they are for relaxation. Whether you seek excitement beneath the waves or quiet contemplation by the shore, these islands promise an experience like no other.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>The Red Sea islands of Saudi Arabia stand among the nation’s most enchanting natural escapes, offering an exquisite balance of untouched beauty and absolute tranquillity. For travellers in search of adventure or a serene retreat, these islands provide the perfect sanctuary to disconnect from the everyday and immerse in breathtaking seascapes.</p>


The GCC Railway Project: Timeline, Routes & Real Estate Impact

A complete guide to the GCC Railway Project, covering timelines, routes, and its growing impact on real estate across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.

<p>For most of history, trade in the Gulf has moved along the natural contours of the desert, shaped by geography and anchored in centuries-old routes. Fast forward to today, and the landscape is transforming at an unprecedented pace – both literally and economically. As part of a sweeping regional effort to future-proof economies and unify Gulf markets, the GCC Railway Project is laying the foundations for the region’s first true cross-border rail network. When complete, it will span over 2,100 kilometres, linking all six GCC nations – Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait – through a fast, high-capacity system built for both freight and passengers. In doing so, it stands to reshape how people move, how goods flow, and perhaps most significantly: where investment goes.</p>
<p>Below, we explore the current status of the GCC Railway, its confirmed routes and strategic hubs, and what this means for real estate in the region.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://146414713.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/146414713/GCC%20Railway%20Project.jpg" width="1000" height="667" loading="lazy" alt="GCC Railway Project" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 1000px;"></p>
<h2>GCC Railway Project – Overview and Timeline</h2>
<p>The idea of a railway connecting all six Gulf states has been around for well over a decade. First announced in 2009, the GCC Railway was framed as a flagship project for regional unity: a 2,117-kilometre network that would run from Kuwait in the north to Oman in the south, linking major cities, ports, and borders along the way. Though momentum slowed after the initial announcement, construction is now well underway.</p>
<p>As of 2025, the UAE is furthest ahead in actual construction, with Etihad Rail already moving freight between key cities. Passenger service is expected to launch as early as 2026, with around 11 planned stations across the country – including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah – cutting the travel time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to a (traffic-free) 30 minutes.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has begun work on key internal lines, including the Dammam–Jubail corridor, which will form part of the Kingdom’s eastern freight spine. Plans are also underway to establish a direct link with the UAE via Etihad Rail’s terminus at Al Ghuwaifat. Oman, too, has made tangible progress, partnering with Etihad Rail to develop the 303-kilometre Sohar-Al Ain line through their joint venture, Hafeet Rail.</p>
<p>Qatar and Bahrain are expected to join the network through shorter, connector-style stretches, including the long-planned King Hamad Causeway. By 2030, the GCC Railway is projected to serve over six million passengers, linking ports to borders, cities to hinterlands, and increasingly – infrastructure to investment opportunities.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>GCC Railway Routes – Where the Tracks Will Lead</h2>
<p>The GCC Railway isn’t a single, cohesive rail line, it’s a complex network of corridors, border crossings and port connectors. Here are the key routes.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Northern Corridor: Kuwait to Saudi Arabia</h3>
<p>At the top of the network sits Kuwait. The proposed route will connect Kuwait City to Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, linking directly with the expanding rail infrastructure in and around Dammam. This segment is expected to carry freight as a priority, opening new logistics routes into the Kingdom’s industrial heartland. Passenger services will eventually follow, enabling faster travel across a corridor that currently relies almost entirely on road transport.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Eastern Spine: Dammam to the UAE via Al Batha</h3>
<p>From Dammam, the line continues southeast toward the UAE border at Al Batha – a crucial crossing that will link Saudi Arabia with Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. This segment includes the Dammam–Jubail corridor, now under construction, which will form part of a broader logistics artery stretching across the peninsula. Once connected, this line could support long-distance travel from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi in approximately five hours.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Oman Connection: Al Ain to Sohar</h3>
<p>The UAE–Oman connection is one of the most advanced international segments of the network. In 2022, Oman and the UAE signed a landmark $3 billion agreement to construct a 303-kilometre line between Sohar (Oman’s rapidly developing northern port city) and Al Ain, on the UAE border. This stretch is designed both for freight and passengers, and it’s expected to open by 2030.</p>
<p>The implications are significant. Sohar, long viewed as a logistics-focused port city, could emerge as a new tourism hub or second-home destination for UAE-based residents seeking a quiet coastal escape with easy rail access.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Linking Qatar and Bahrain</h3>
<p>Though smaller in scale than other corridors in the Gulf, Qatar and Bahrain are both expected to connect via shorter, high-value links. Qatar is set to join the network through a route linking it to Saudi Arabia’s eastern rail system, likely near Salwa. Bahrain’s connection is tied to the long-discussed King Hamad Causeway – a proposed rail-and-road bridge linking the island to the Saudi mainland, running alongside the historic King Fahd Causeway.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>How The GCC Railway Will Unlock Real Estate Opportunities</h2>
<p>Infrastructure has long been one of the strongest drivers of real estate value, and the GCC Railway is no exception. As cross-border connectivity improves, previously peripheral areas, especially along the Saudi–UAE–Oman region, are expected to attract renewed investor interest. In the Kingdom, emerging logistics zones such as Jubail, Al Batha, and the broader Eastern Province could see land values rise, particularly as freight corridors become operational in 2026. Al Batha, once a quiet border post, may see a strategic boost in investment potential as Saudi Arabia formalises its direct rail connection with Abu Dhabi.</p>
<p>Further inland, Al-Ahsa – a UNESCO-listed oasis and one of Saudi Arabia’s most cinematic cities – stands to benefit from increased footfall and improved access via multiple planned routes. With residential prices in Al-Ahsa still well below Riyadh averages (approximately SAR 5,000+ in central Riyadh, as of mid-2025), infrastructure-led growth could unlock meaningful long-term upside.</p>
<p>As passenger rail expands, fringe neighbourhoods in Riyadh and Jeddah, including Al Khaleej and Al Janadriyah, may also gain traction – particularly among professionals seeking connectivity without the premium of a city-centre address.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>
<p>Saudi Arabia’s real estate landscape is expanding rapidly, and with the GCC Railway reshaping how the region connects, new opportunities are emerging far beyond the traditional bases. Whether you're considering a <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/red-sea"><span>rare beachfront villa in The Red Sea</span></a>, a branded residence in Riyadh, or an <a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/developments/makkah" rel="noopener"><span>apartment in Makkah</span></a>, our experts are here to guide you.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/contact-us" rel="noopener"><span>Get in </span><span>touch</span></a><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="https://sothebysrealty.sa/en/contact-us" rel="noopener" id="__hsNewLink"> with Saudi Arabia Sotheby’s International Realty</a> for bespoke, insight-driven support on your next property move.</span></p>
<p style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;</p>
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<p>For most of history, trade in the Gulf has moved along the natural contours of the desert, shaped by geography and anchored in centuries-old routes. Fast forward to today, and the landscape is transforming at an unprecedented pace – both literally and economically. As part of a sweeping regional effort to future-proof economies and unify Gulf markets, the GCC Railway Project is laying the foundations for the region’s first true cross-border rail network. When complete, it will span over 2,100 kilometres, linking all six GCC nations – Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait – through a fast, high-capacity system built for both freight and passengers. In doing so, it stands to reshape how people move, how goods flow, and perhaps most significantly: where investment goes.</p>


7 Michelin-Approved Restaurants to Try in Saudi Arabia – 2026

Discover 7 Michelin-approved restaurants in Saudi Arabia for 2026, from heritage Saudi kitchens to refined fine dining in Riyadh, Jeddah, and AlUla.

<p>Good food enjoyed in good company has always been at the heart of Saudi culture. From sprawling majlis dinners to morning coffee rituals, hospitality here is both tradition and art form. In recent years, that deep-rooted food culture has taken centre stage globally, with the Michelin Guide making its long-anticipated Saudi debut in 2023 – and expanding steadily ever since. What makes the Kingdom’s dining scene especially compelling is its balance: homegrown kitchens sit alongside global heavyweights, and fine dining doesn't come at the expense of heritage. Below, we explore a curated list of Michelin-recognised restaurants across Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla, from reimagined kabsa to omakase counters and chef’s tables worth planning a trip around.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://146414713.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/146414713/michelin%20star%20restaurants.jpg" width="1000" height="667" loading="lazy" alt="michelin star restaurants" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 1000px;"></p>
<h2>Tofareya, Al Ula</h2>
<p>Widely described as the sister site to Petra, Al Ula is one of the Kingdom’s most cinematic landscapes – all weathered sandstone, palm-filled valleys, and traces of ancient civilisations. Among the best places to experience traditional Saudi fare here is Tofareya, a relaxed, open-air eatery in the heart of the Old Town, recently awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide. The menu celebrates time-honoured dishes with regional flair: kabsa made with oranges from AlUla’s famed citrus groves, grilled meats, and sweet Umm Ali for dessert. The setting is as memorable as the meal, with courtyard tables nestled at the foot of the rocky fort and rooftop seating that looks out across the valley. Tofareya is also a local favourite in Jeddah, where the menu leans more heavily into the bolder, smokier flavours of the south.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Samia’s Dish, Jeddah</h2>
<p>Samia’s Dish is where traditional Saudi cooking meets contemporary calm. Helmed by female Head Chef Hind Y. Albahkali, this Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurant celebrates the heart of Hijazi cuisine, with standout dishes like the signature ‘meat brik’ – a wholesome, golden pie finished with a drizzle of honey. The majlis here carries a Parisian sensibility, filled with natural light and softened by climbing bougainvillaea and potted palms. True to tradition, coffee is at the heart of the experience. “The first thing we serve our guests is Saudi coffee,” Chef Hind told the Michelin Guide. “It symbolises who we are as Saudis; there’s no home that welcomes guests without it.” Set along the busy retail stretch of Ahmad Al-Attas Street, Samia’s Dish is as well-suited to a mid-shopping pause as it is to a more intentional dinner.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>The Rubi Room at Hōchō, Riyadh</h2>
<p>If you’ve had your fill of kabsa, slow-cooked lamb, and Umm Ali, there’s Hōchō. Set inside VIA Riyadh, this Japanese-inspired eatery blends omakase-style intimacy with Saudi-rooted ambition. The space is sleek and cosmopolitan, with counter seating and a front-row view of the chefs at work. Recommended in the Michelin Guide, Hōchō revolves around one exceptional ingredient: halal-certified Kobe beef. The menu is a masterclass in simplicity done well: grilled cuts, sushi, and clever riffs on classics like tomato carpaccio and beef tartare. The concept comes from Saudi chef Hassan Fetyani, who trained in Japan before launching the restaurant in late 2024. While the Kobe steak is the headliner, dessert deserves equal attention – the date and walnut tart is a familiar nod to home, best enjoyed with cardamom coffee.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><span style="color: #000000;">Rasoi by Vineet, Jeddah</span></h2>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"></span><span style="color: #000000;">Few chefs have done more to modernise Indian fine dining than Vineet Bhatia – the first Indian chef to earn a Michelin star and a pioneer of progressive Indian cuisine. In Jeddah, his signature style comes to life at Rasoi, an elevated dining experience housed within the </span><span style="color: #191919;">Mövenpick Hotel Tahlia</span><span style="color: #000000;">. The mood is vibrant and celebratory, with jewel-toned interiors, gilded details, and plates that are every bit as expressive. Dishes play confidently between heritage and innovation: Malai lobster, tandoori prawns, and lamb biryani reimagined with finesse. Even familiar curries arrive transformed, rich with saffron, coconut, or charcoal smoke. For a night out that’s bold, colourful, and full of personality, Rasoi is one of Jeddah’s most compelling tables – and Michelin agrees.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Najd Village, Riyadh</h2>
<p>Described in the Michelin Guide as “the” place in Riyadh for authentic Saudi cuisine, Najd Village is one of the most charming and nostalgic in the city. Housed in a traditional mudbrick building, the restaurant recreates the feel of an old Najdi home, with wooden beams, patterned floor cushions, and antique lanterns casting a warm glow across low tables. The menu covers the full spectrum of central Saudi favourites, from smoky hashi (camel meat) to jareesh, qursan, and bubbling lamb stews served in clay pots. Generous portions and floor seating make this a wholesome, communal experience – the kind that leaves a lasting impression on out-of-town guests. You’ll find Najd Village on Al-Takhassusi Street, right in the heart of the city.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Julien by Daniel Boulud, Riyadh</h2>
<p>Daniel Boulud is one of those rare chefs who balances global recognition with genuine culinary pedigree. His two-Michelin-starred New York restaurant, <em>Daniel</em>, has drawn a loyal following since the early ’90s, paving the way for a series of acclaimed ventures in Singapore, Dubai, and beyond. In Riyadh, his presence arrives in the form of <em>Julien</em> – a discreet, 12-seat chef’s counter hidden within Café Boulud at the Four Seasons Hotel in Kingdom Tower. Named after Boulud’s father and son, Julien offers a 10-course tasting menu that reinterprets modern French cuisine through a Saudi lens. Expect precise plating, layered textures, and unexpected flavour pairings, all prepared in front of you in an open kitchen that feels more atelier than restaurant. Pairings come in the form of non-alcoholic wines and playful mocktails, served by a notably friendly team.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>OVUN Bistro, Riyadh</h2>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">In the lively Al Sulimaniyah district, OVUN honours the flavours of the wider Arab world with a spectacular Lebanese menu. The space is warm and unpretentious – all natural wood and leafy greens, with a roaring oven at its heart. Dishes are traditional but well-executed: golden fatayer, crunchy fattoush laced with zesty local sumac, and sumptuous garlic shish barak. As the name suggests, the real highlight is the bread, served piping hot from the oven and made to dip, tear, and share. Be sure to arrive here with an appetite: alongside praising the muhammara and mouhalabiya milk pudding, the Michelin critic noted the portions are well-priced, generous, and perfect for sharing.</span></p>
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<p>Good food enjoyed in good company has always been at the heart of Saudi culture. From sprawling majlis dinners to morning coffee rituals, hospitality here is both tradition and art form. In recent years, that deep-rooted food culture has taken centre stage globally, with the Michelin Guide making its long-anticipated Saudi debut in 2023 – and expanding steadily ever since. What makes the Kingdom’s dining scene especially compelling is its balance: homegrown kitchens sit alongside global heavyweights, and fine dining doesn't come at the expense of heritage. Below, we explore a curated list of Michelin-recognised restaurants across Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla, from reimagined kabsa to omakase counters and chef’s tables worth planning a trip around.</p>


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