Riyadh Neighbourhood Guide: Al Olaya

Al Olaya is a popular neighborhood lying to the north of Riyadh, close to the commercial centre of the city. Al Olaya is considered the center of businesses, services, monuments, and main roads.

The area is characterized by prestigious skyscrapers like the steel-and-glass Kingdom Centre, and the obelisk-shaped Al Faisaliah Center.

If you're planning to explore the Al Olaya area, we have compiled a helpful guide to enrich your experience with insights on places to visit, dining choices, and more!

Where is Al Olaya?

This district is located amid the capital, specifically in Riyadh's city center, next to other neighborhoods such as Al Sulaymaniyah, Al Mathar Ash Shamali, Al Wurud, and Al Wizarat. It is linked to the rest of the cities' regions by a transport network. 

Where to Get Groceries

Grocery stores, mini-markets, and supermarkets are almost evenly distributed all over Al Olaya, the list includes:

• Abdullah AlOthaim Markets
• Aldeem Supermarket
• Tamimi markets
• Sallet Al nakhat
• Al Sadhan stores 
• Aljazera Hypermarket

Where to Shop

Al Olaya has more than 180 shops selling different products such as fancy clothes, shoes, watches, jewelry, perfumes, accessories, home appliances, furniture, and more. The list includes:

• Kingdom Centre Mall
• Akaria Mall 
• Al Othaim Mall
• Centria Mall

Where to Stay

You will also find a combination of different types of properties such as Lands for sale, villas for sale, apartments for rent, hotel apartments, and others. There are also a large number of international chain hotels in the area which are considered top hotels in Riyadh and the Kingdom.

Some of the best hotels located in Al Olaya are: 

• Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya
• Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh
• Executives Olaya Hotel
• Narcissus Hotel And Residence Riyadh
• Four Seasons Hotel

Where to Eat

There are also a number of international restaurants in Kingdom Centre like: 

• The Grill
• Spazio Restaurant
• The Globe

The district also has some of the most famous fast-food restaurants like Mcdonalds, and Al Baik, and there are also a number of pastry shops such as ABUCCI and Kabbani Sweets.

Attractions & Activities

Al Olaya is full of amusement parks where kids enjoy like:

• Fun Gate
• Trampoline Park
• Sparkys
• Al Samar Amusement Center

The district also has a number of parks to practice activities and sports such as:

• Olaya Park
• Thoghor Park 
• Al Salem Park

Schools

Residents can register their kids in one of the prestigious schools in the region, the long list of schools and preschools in the area includes the following:

• Time To Learn International School
• Zaion and Zaina nursery
• Upper elementary school
• Learning Oasis International School
• Saud International School
• Luxury kids nursery
• Ibtikar schools
• Knowledge Fields School

Students who want to be enrolled in universities can find one that is minutes away from Al Olaya:

• King Faisal University
• King Saud University 
• Prince Sultan University 

Health Centres

Al Olaya has many centers and medical facilities that include the following:

• Al Hammadi hospital
• Sulaiman Al-Habib hospital
• Olaya Medical Center
• Olaya Polyclinic complex
• Specialized Medical Center Hospital King Fahd Road

Fitness Centres

Residents can become members of one of the gyms and sports centers available, such as: 

• Fitness First
• Body Masters
• GlowFit
• Spectrum Wellness for women
• Champions Corner