Centred around King Abdullah Park, Al Malaz is a residential neighbourhood in Riyadh established in the 1950s to house King Saud’s government employees. It was one of the first areas in the Saudi Arabian capital to be developed with modern buildings rather than the traditional architecture that previously dominated the city.
Things to do in Al Malaz
In the cool of the evening, you can stretch your legs along one of the paved walking trails that meander through the landscaped gardens of King Abdullah Park. This former racecourse is now the largest public park in Saudi Arabia and is famed for its 110-metre-high fountains that put on a laser and music show at night. King Abdullah Park regularly hosts festivals and events, including the annual fireworks display for Saudi National Day.
Soccer fans can coincide their visit with a match at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, which is positioned at the southern end of King Abdullah Park. It has the capacity to seat up to 22,500 people and regularly hosts games featuring Al Hilal SFC, Al Nassr FC and Al Shabab FC in the Saudi Professional League.
If you’re travelling with kids, don’t miss a visit to the Riyadh Zoo, which was established in 1957 as a private menagerie for the Saudi royal family. It’s now home to around 1,500 exotic animals from around the globe, including Bengal tigers, elephants and rhinoceros. A highlight of any visit is getting up close to some of Saudi Arabia’s endangered species, such as the Arabian desert leopard, the Arabian oryx and the houbara bustard.
Getting around Al Malaz
Al Malaz is around 10 minutes’ drive from the centre of Riyadh and 30 minutes from King Khalid International Airport. Buses travel throughout Al Malaz, although taxis are the most convenient way of getting around.