What to Buy in Saudi Arabia – 11 Best Saudi Souvenirs
Visiting Saudi Arabia and wondering what to buy as a souvenir? Wondering what are some of the authentic Saudi gifts to purchase? You’re in for a treat.
Saudi Arabia has a long history and amazing culture. It is the largest country in the Middle East and shares boundaries with many neighbors.
Over centuries, ancient trade routes, cultural intermixing, isolation of some geographies, local flora and fauna, and the severe desert climate have led to the evolution of new and unique arts and crafts.
Today, buying a Saudi souvenir is like picking up a bit of its past and bringing it back home. From intricate and colorful crafts like Al-Qatt and Sadu to delicious treats like mamoul and coffee, here are the 11 must-have Saudi Arabian souvenirs for your shopping spree.
Also Read: 10 Best Places to Visit in Saudi Arabia
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11 Best Souvenirs of Saudi Arabia
Al-Qatt Paintings and Memorabilia
Looking for traditional Saudi Arabian art? Buy an Al-Qatt painting or memorabilia such as a wall plate, coffee mug, jar, or photo frame.
Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, listed as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, is a traditional form of geometric mural art by the women of the Asir region. Brightly colored and deeply symbolic, you’ll find these intricate designs on the walls of every house in the mountainous Asiri villages like Rijal Almaa.
Today, you can get all kinds of Al-Qatt souvenirs, from canvas art to modern memorabilia, such as coasters, trays, and bags.
The best place to buy Al-Qatt souvenirs in Saudi Arabia is at the Fatima Museum of Asiri Heritage in Abha, the capital of the Asir Region. However, if you’re not visiting Abha, you can pick Al-Qatt pieces at places like the AlUla Old Town and Diriyah in Riyadh.
You can also buy them online on the Souvenirs SA website here. Atharna also has a few ceramics with Al-Qatt designs.
★ Related Read: What is Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qatt Al-Asiri art?
Sadu Weaves
Al Sadu weaving, another UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, is a centuries-old Bedouin tradition that embodies the essence of the desert through symmetric geometric patterns and bright colors like red, orange, black, white, and yellow.
The name Al Sadu translates to weaving horizontally. Bedouin women usually weave Sadu rugs, mats, and tents usually with sheep wool and camel hair.
The art of Sadu weaving originates in the central and northern parts of Saudi Arabia, such as the Al Jouf Region. You can find examples of it in Kuwait, which borders northeastern Saudi Arabia.
From rugs to cushion covers and handbags, Sadu items are not just functional but also a unique piece of Saudi heritage to take back home with you.
You can buy Sadu rugs and carpets at local souks in Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, and AlUla.
Souvenirs SA has an entire page dedicated to Sadu. Atharna and Saudi Artisanal also stock Sadu products.
Fragrances: Oud and Bakhoor
Saudi Arabia is famous for its fragrances, especially oud oils and bakhoor.
The Middle East was at the center of the ancient incense route, and frankincense, myrrh, oud, and so many other kinds of fragrances from India, Southeast Asia, Yemen, and Oman passed through the desert cities of Saudi Arabia to Egypt and the Mediterranean.
Today, the souks of Jeddah, Riyadh (Al Maigliah Souk is renowned for its scents), and Taif (for the best rose perfumes) are the best places to get your stash of Arabian perfumes and oud oils. You can also buy from the retail and online stores of Arabian Oud and Ajmal Perfumes, two famous perfume brands in the Middle East.
Oud oil is applied directly on the skin (usually on the pulse points). In contrast, perfumes can be sprayed all over the body. You can also buy some bakhoor, scented wood chips that Saudis use to make their homes, clothing, and hair fragrant.
★ Related Read: Dig deeper into the world of Middle Eastern perfumes, oud, attar, and bakhoor.
Najdi Woodwork
The central Saudi Arabian region of Najd is famous for its woodwork. Getting something unique in wood is the best way to remember Saudi Arabian culture.
Artisans of the Najd province have handcrafted objects from the wood of the Tamarisk tree for centuries. They often engrave them with patterns, fill them with colors, and add brass studs to make them prettier.
The best place to see Najdi woodwork is the Turaif historic district of Diriyah, where you can spot wooden Najdi doors all around. Be sure to notice the craftmanship that has gone into building each of these doors and windows.
Najdi wooden chests, boxes, and furniture are great Saudi souvenirs for your home. If you’re looking for something smaller, jewelry boxes, bookmarks, and fridge magnets representing Najdi doors are also available. You will find these at the souvenir stores in Diriyah Historic City near Riyadh.
★ Read Next: How to Visit Diriyah from Riyadh?
Palm Frond Products
Items made from palm fronds and bark are integral to life in the Arabian Desert. Weaving palm fronds into useful household objects such as baskets, mats, bowls for storing food, and bags is called Al Khous weaving.
The tribes of Wadi Al-Dawasir in central Saudi Arabia have been weaving Al Khous products for centuries because of the abundance of palm trees in the region.
Pick a palm basket, bowl, or mat on your next trip to Saudi Arabia. These Saudi gifts are not only functional but also very eco-friendly. You can find them in all shapes and sizes, from bread baskets to larger storage containers.
You can find Al Khous products throughout the country, in all souks and traditional supermarkets. I saw many of them in the boutique shops at AlUla if you plan to visit this ancient Nabataean city.
If you’re looking for an online marketplace for palm frond products, Souvenirs SA is a good place to shop.
★ Pro Tip: Visiting AlUla? Be sure to check out our guide for the best AlUla souvenirs.
Saudi Pottery
Pottery has long been a part of local culture in Saudi Arabia. Saudi artisans have created both glazed and unglazed pottery since antiquity.
Discover handcrafted pottery in Saudi Arabia, ranging from intricate glazed designs to rustic unglazed pieces. From the very functional storage jars, coffee mugs, and water urns to the more sophisticated art pieces, there are numerous pottery options in Saudi Arabia.
I especially love their unglazed pieces, which give you a totally rustic vibe. You will find lots of unglazed pottery in AlUla, where students at Madrasat Addeera, an old girls’ school that has now been converted into an artisan workshop, make these pottery items.
Rose Products from Taif
Taif, often called the “City of Roses,” is famous for its exquisite rose products that have become a quintessential Saudi souvenir.
The region’s unique climate and fertile soil create the perfect environment for growing the Taif rose, a fragrant variety known for its sweet smell. Every spring, the city is filled with millions of roses that tourists from all over flock to see.
Rose factories like the Al Shiok Factory and Rashid Al Qurashie’s Factory harvest rose petals to make luxurious products such as rose water, soaps, moisturizers, essential oils, and perfumes.
Plan a trip to Taif during March/April to experience the rose extravaganza, explore local rose farms, and buy traditional rose souvenirs.
Traditional Saudi Jewelry
Tourists love to purchase gold jewelry from Saudi Arabia from one of the many gold souks dotting the country.
But let me tell you that traditional Saudi Bedouin jewelry is far from being just gold. It is so much more, including precious stones, enamel, colorful beads, and tassels.
Jewelry in Saudi Arabia was also inspired by trade and the influence of people who visited different parts of the country. In the western part of the country, you’ll find jewelry inspired by Turkey and Egypt. In the East, jewelry has a close resemblance to pieces from India.
For traditional gold jewelry, head to Al Thumairi God Market in Riyadh. For conventional silver jewelry, the best place is Madrasat Addeera in AlUla.
Dates and Mamoul
No visit to Saudi Arabia is complete without indulging in the region’s finest dates. Ajwa, Sukkari, and Safawi are just a few popular varieties rich in flavor and nutrition.
Whether you’re fond of dates or not, you must try mamoul, a traditional date-filled pastry of the Middle East. They are usually round and come in all sizes. Very often, the mamoul is covered with beautiful patterns.
Both dates and mamoul make great edible souvenirs from Saudi Arabia. They are easy to carry, last long, and fun to share with loved ones back home.
Arabic Coffee or Gahwa
Do you love coffee? You’re in for a treat because Arabic coffee, or Gahwa, is a cultural staple in Saudi Arabia.
Traditionally, Gahwa is made from lightly roasted Arabica coffee blended with cardamom, saffron, and sometimes cloves. Locals usually pair their Gahwa with a date.
Asir, Jazan, and Al Baha regions in southwest Saudi have produced coffee for centuries. It is believed that Arabica coffee arrived in the Arab world from Ethiopia in the 7th century. Did you know that the first-ever coffee shop in the world was opened in Mecca?
Pair your coffee purchase with a traditional dallah (Arabic coffee pot) for a complete Arabic coffee experience back home.
Saudi Arabian cities are full of coffee roasteries where you can buy specialty coffee. Camel Step, Artisan The Roasters, and Kaf Roasters are some of the most popular roasters in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Honey
Saudi Arabia produces some of the finest honey in the world, including the sought-after Sidr honey from the Al-Baha region. Sidr honey is known for its luxurious, rich flavor and medicinal properties.
The mountains of Asir region also produce delicious honey, which is known for its antimicrobial properties and rich enzymes. For the best Asiri honey, head to the Souk Al Thulatha (Tuesday Market) in Abha.
Where to Shop for Souvenirs in Saudi Arabia?
Souks and Markets
- Riyadh’s Souq Al Thumairi (all kinds of Saudi souvenirs., Al Maigliah Souk (for perfumes), Souk Al Zal (for incense and antiques), and Souk Taibah (for carpets and gold).
- Visit Souk Al Zal with a local and check out the best local products.
- Jeddah’s Al-Balad, Souk Al Bawadi (for women’s clothing), and Qabel Trail (for local products and souvenirs).
- Old Town in AlUla, as well as the souvenir shops at the various attractions in AlUla which stock authentic AlUla-related souvenirs.
- Souk Al Thulatha (Tuesday Market) in Abha, which is open every day. It is also the oldest market in the Asir Region.
Rose factories in Taif such as Al Shiok Factory and Rashid Al Qurashie’s Factory.
Local Saudi handicraft brands with retail stores and/or online presence
Souvenirs SA: A Saudi brand licensed by the Ministry of Commerce, this site has the highest number of souvenir options and is budget-friendly.
Atharna: Atharna is an aggregator of local Saudi brands and independent craftspeople and brings local arts and crafts to the people through their website.
Herfah: The first cooperative craft association in Saudi Arabia, Herfah supports craftsmakers through the entire production and sales cycle. I have shopped at their outlets in Diriyah, and their products are excellent.
Saudi Artisanal Company: Another homegrown Saudi organization that often comes out with modern twists in traditional designs, which I love.
Check out my Middle Eastern Perfume Guide for perfumes, oud, and bakhoor.
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