Riyadh makes for practical souvenir shopping. The city mixes long craft traditions with modern shops, so you can find well-made items and edible treats that actually travel well. This guide covers items you’ll find across Riyadh, not a single street or store, and it focuses on things that are locally made or closely linked to the region.

Read these options to learn what to choose, where to look, and how to bring items home without damage or regrets.

1. Oud and Arabian perfume oils

• Why it’s worth buying: Oud is a core scent of the region and stores a strong cultural link. Small oil vials offer concentrated aroma that lasts long at home.
• Where to look: Check markets for tiny glass vials and sample bottles.
• Price range: $20–$200
• How to spot a good one: Pick oils with clear labeling of ingredients and a short list of natural resins.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Wrap vials in clothing and place them upright inside a sealed plastic bag.

2. Packaged dates and date-based sweets

• Why it’s worth buying: Dates are a staple food with regional varieties and shelf-stable packaging. They make a simple, familiar edible gift.
• Where to look: Find them in food halls and market food stalls.
• Price range: $5–$40
• How to spot a good one: Look for firm texture, consistent color, and airtight packaging with a short ingredients list.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Keep boxes flat in checked luggage or carry-on to avoid crushing.

3. Small brass dallah (coffee pot) or miniature replicas

• Why it’s worth buying: The dallah is tied to local coffee rituals and makes a decorative keepsake. Miniature versions show the shape without bulk.
• Where to look: Browse independent shops that sell traditional household items.
• Price range: $25–$120
• How to spot a good one: Choose pieces with solid seams and minimal flaking on the finish.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Wrap in clothes and place in the middle of your luggage for padding.

4. Bakhoor (incense) and simple burners

• Why it’s worth buying: Bakhoor provides a recognizable scent memory, and small burners make it usable at home. They’re widely used locally.
• Where to look: Search markets for packets and small burners.
• Price range: $8–$45
• How to spot a good one: Avoid mixes that list unnamed “fragrance” first; prefer natural wood chips and resin.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Keep incense in its sealed box and pad it with soft items.

5. Palm-fiber woven baskets and small mats

• Why it’s worth buying: Woven palm items reflect local materials and hand techniques. They’re lightweight and practical for home use.
• Where to look: Visit co-ops that sell traditional crafts and community-made goods.
• Price range: $10–$60
• How to spot a good one: Check for tight, even weaving and few loose ends.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Roll flat pieces and place between clothing layers to keep shape.

6. Handcrafted silver or mixed-metal jewelry

• Why it’s worth buying: Local jewelers use regional motifs and metals that differ from mass-market pieces. Small items carry character.
• Where to look: Look in small independent shops with a display of handmade jewelry.
• Price range: $30–$250
• How to spot a good one: Inspect solder joints and clasp strength; genuine pieces will feel solid.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Store each piece in a small pouch to prevent tangling and scratching.

7. Camel leather wallet or belt

• Why it’s worth buying: Camel leather is durable and has a distinctive texture compared with cowhide. Small leather goods are useful daily.
• Where to look: Seek out markets where leather goods are sold by weight or by piece.
• Price range: $15–$90
• How to spot a good one: Smell for natural leather and look for consistent stitching.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Place leather in a breathable bag, avoid sealing it damply in plastic.

8. Handmade pottery or small ceramics

• Why it’s worth buying: Ceramics often carry local glaze styles and simple motifs that suit a kitchen or shelf. Smaller pieces travel well.
• Where to look: Check artisan galleries for signed or labeled pieces.
• Price range: $15–$100
• How to spot a good one: Tap the base gently—clear, bright tone usually means well-fired clay.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Wrap each item individually and cushion with clothing.

9. Calligraphy prints and Arabic script art

• Why it’s worth buying: Calligraphy carries aesthetic and linguistic value, and prints are lighter than originals. They work well framed at home.
• Where to look: Browse independent shops that sell prints and paper goods.
• Price range: $10–$70
• How to spot a good one: Check print quality, paper weight, and artist credit when available.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Carry prints flat in a protective folder or roll them in a tube.

10. Regional spice blends and loose spices

• Why it’s worth buying: Local blends bring home flavors used in Riyadh cooking and are easy to reseason at home. Small jars keep well.
• Where to look: Buy them in markets specializing in spices or food halls.
• Price range: $4–$30
• How to spot a good one: Choose blends with visible whole spices rather than a uniform powder.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Use screw-top jars and seal in plastic to prevent leaks.

11. Natural soaps and local skincare products

• Why it’s worth buying: Ingredients like date extract or local oils make for pleasant, usable souvenirs. Small bottles meet travel rules.
• Where to look: Find them at independent shops focused on handmade personal care.
• Price range: $5–$35
• How to spot a good one: Read labels for real oils and minimal synthetic fragrances.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Place liquids in a clear, sealed bag and limit sizes to carry-on rules.

12. Embroidered scarves or sadu textiles

• Why it’s worth buying: Embroidery traditions use distinct patterns and make durable accessories. Scarves are versatile gifts.
• Where to look: Look in co-ops that represent regional weavers and textile artists.
• Price range: $10–$80
• How to spot a good one: Inspect stitch consistency and secure hems for lasting wear.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Fold scarves neatly and use them as extra padding around fragile items.

Quick buying tips for Riyadh

• Carry some cash: small vendors may prefer riyals or exact change only.
• Use a card at larger stores; smaller stalls might not accept plastic.
• Haggling is sometimes acceptable in markets, but keep offers polite and modest.
• Wrap fragile purchases in clothing and use bubble wrap for heavy pottery.
• Ask if shipping is available from the seller when items are large or fragile.
• Look for a “made locally” label, artisan name, or workshop location on tags.

Where to shop in Riyadh

Shopping is spread across older markets, museum shops, and modern shopping streets. Traditional souqs and newer cultural districts both sell crafts, foods, and artful goods, so plan to visit a few different types of places.

• Souq Al Zal and traditional market areas for spices, incense, and leather goods.
• Al Batha market for inexpensive textiles, household items, and packaged foods.
• Diriyah (At-Turaif) historic district for crafts sold near cultural sites and restored buildings.
• King Abdulaziz Historical Centre and museum shops for quality books, prints, and curated souvenirs.
• Tahlia and main shopping streets for contemporary design, fashion accessories, and galleries.
• Seasonal Riyadh Season markets and fairs for limited-run crafts and specialty food vendors.
• Craft cooperatives and cultural centers for weavings, baskets, and labeled handmade items.
• Gallery districts for prints, ceramics, and signed artwork by local artists.

What to skip (common tourist traps)

• Cheap plastic trinkets labeled “local” but clearly mass-produced abroad; quality is low.
• Perfume bottles sold without ingredient lists or clear origin—may be synthetic blends.
• Leather goods with uneven stitching and strong chemical smells indicating poor tanning.
• Unlabeled “antique” items without provenance or clear seller details; they may be reproductions.
• Overpriced framed art sold with no artist credit or paper-quality indicators.
• Loose spices in unsealed bags—pick sealed packaging with weight labels and expiry dates.

If you only buy three things

Oud and perfume oils — they are compact and strongly tied to local scent traditions.
Packaged dates — easy to share and transport, and distinctly regional.
Calligraphy print — lightweight, meaningful, and simple to frame at home.

FAQ

What is Riyadh known for making?
Riyadh is known for traditional crafts like leatherwork, metal coffeeware, and woven palm items. The city also has a growing scene of contemporary design and handmade goods.

What are the best edible souvenirs from Riyadh?
Dates, regional spice blends, and wrapped sweets are reliable choices. They travel well when properly sealed and make good gifts.

Are souvenirs expensive in Riyadh?
Prices vary widely; markets offer budget options while galleries and museum shops carry higher-quality pieces. Haggling or shopping around helps find fair prices.

What is the easiest souvenir to pack from Riyadh?
Small perfume oil vials, spices, and printed art are the easiest to pack and carry. Each fits into carry-on luggage with minimal risk.

How do I know if something is truly local?
Look for maker names, workshop addresses, a “made locally” tag, or signs describing the craft process. Ask the seller about origin and production—clear answers usually indicate local work.

Tip: Save your receipts, and keep fragile items in your carry-on.

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!

Let us know in the comments if this has been useful or if you’ve got suggestions we can include