Oct 18, 2024
The Saudi capital has been experiencing an optimal evolution that redefined the paradigm of Riyadh as the limits of the globe, rather than the city map. Adding to this effect, many Riyadh mega projects have been developed by the government or private companies investing in the massive potentiality looming in the horizon of the city. Indeed, major projects in Saudi Arabia are being constructed in Riyadh, being the gravitational centre of the Saudi Vision 2030 wonders implementation.
Tracing the Saudi mega projects in Riyadh, an observer can notice the various aims they are targeting; for example, some are establishing basis to enhance the infrastructure of the city, some to promote economic and social development, some for attracting more international tourism, while others aim at increasing property value in the surrounding area.
This blog will tackle these projects, and the strategic importance behind each of Riyadh mega projects.
The largest urban park in the world, and standing in the middle of the capital, King Salman Park is a huge project Saudi Arabia launched under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, on 19 March 2019. It promises to provide an array of sports, cultural, artistic, and recreational lists of activities for the residents and visitors of Riyadh, translating the agenda of Saudi Vision 2030. The park spans over 16 km2, covering 11.6 km2 of open green areas, and housing one million trees. Being one of the major projects in Saudi Arabia, the park boasts off various internal recreational projects, including:
Exceeding over 400,000 square meters in space, the complex covers an endless list of artistic platforms, such as the National Theatre with a seating capacity of 2500 slots, 5 museums of different sizes, an outdoor theatre with a capacity of 8000 audience, a complex with 3 cinema halls, 4 art academies and an educational centre for kids dedicated to flourishing children’s talents.
Mega projects in Saudi Arabia make sure to touch upon highlighting the local culture in the country; hence the park presents 7 different museums including: Aviation Museum, Astronomy and Space Museum, Science Museum, Museum of Plants, Virtual Reality Museum, Architecture Museum; plazas to host different events, covering total area of 40,000 square meters; in addition to artworks and landmarks.
Saudi mega projects are embodiments of Saudi Vision 2030; thus, the park also reflects the sports agenda planned in the vision. To impact the sports strategy in the Kingdom, the project offers a Royal Golf Course covering an area of 850,000 square meters, a sports complex over an area of 50,000 square meters, a virtual reality court, a sky diving centre, an equestrian centre, running and biking routes, a 100,000 square meter amusement park, a 140,000 square meter aquapark, a family amusement centre, a tower and a skybridge.
An 80,000 square meter space, it features an environmental, cultural, and educational centre, offering interactive shows to its visitors, as well as multi-purpose halls, a meeting room, a plant nursery, coffee shops and restaurants.
In addition to its touristic and recreational functions, this huge project Saudi Arabia developed in Riyadh contains residential compounds providing 12,000 housing units, besides 16 hotels with a total of 2300 rooms, and 500,000 square meters of retail spaces.
Counting as one of the major projects in Saudi Arabia, the park encompasses all the services of people’s everyday life, offering, as such, mosques, police, healthcare, educational and social facilities. Also, it gives various options for the daily activities practiced in the Saudi lifestyle, providing public libraries, 280,000 square meters of parking spaces, main and service roads, walkways and pathways.
Fulfilling another target of the Saudi Vision 2030, this project ensures the increase of green spaces and availing them to all citizens around the capital. Constituting one of Riyadh mega projects, it aims at enhancing its natural setting to guarantee a sustainable future with pure air and water for this generation and the next ones.
The Riyadh Green Project invites Riyadh’s citizens to enjoy a healthy lifestyle by providing for them all the means to do so, as it encourages the plantation of 7.5 million trees across the capital, dividing them across:
· 3,330 neighbourhood gardens
· 43 parks
· 9,000 mosques
· 6,000 schools
· 2,000 car parking sites
· 1,670 public facilities
· 390 healthcare facilities
· 64 universities and collages
· 16,400 kms of streets and roads
· 1,100 km green belts along utilities lines (power stations, oil pipelines, etc.)
· 272 km valleys
· 175,000 sq. km of empty land
Developing the agricultural stance in the Kingdom, Riyadh Green Project is a huge project Saudi Arabia established in the capital, blending nature with technology in it, to inspire the eco-friendly life integration into all other mega projects in Saudi Arabia.
Envisioning the one spirit this planet lives through, the Saudi Vision 2030 believes that the welfare of humans derives its basis from the welfare of nature. Thus, housing around 72 native shade plant species compatible with Riyadh’s environment, this project guarantees the survival of this minute ecosystem of the Riyadh set of plants.
Major projects in Saudi Arabia set every step in advance; therefore, irrigation for the park is set through a network of treated water with daily capacity of 1,000,000 m3. As well, the source of seedlings and trees will be plant nurseries. The project also promises breakthrough afforestation regulations in public and private projects to ensure the implementation of the green initiative, inviting, as such voluntary engagement on all levels of the society.
The third of Riyadh Mega Projects, set to shape the final version of Saudi Vision 2030. The project divides the capital into 10-program main areas of residential neighbourhoods, gardens, parks, squares, metro/bus stations, bridges, city entrances and tourism destinations. Across these areas, 1000 works of art and landmarks, crafted by international artists, will be breathing inspiration among their surroundings.
A huge project Saudi Arabia is implementing in the heart of Riyadh to turn the capital into one vast artistic exhibition. A rich cultural program that will host two annual creative festivals, boosting Riyadh as an intellectual centre, in addition to the ten major programs which include:
A symbol of unhindered development, the epoch of evolution Riyadh is experiencing right now is embodied in this icon.
A sculpture park reimagining the integration of art, technology and environmental aspects of Riyadh’s life; an open-air museum.
Around 100 artworks spanning 5 locations, these masterpieces are echoing historical, authentic, and the natural spirit of the Riyadh wadis.
Bridges are not simply connecting roads anymore, they communicate the spirit of unifying the city under one light of ambition, as 3 artists will be illuminating 10 bridges around Riyadh.
A huge project Saudi Arabia has launched to encourage a healthy and eco-conscious lifestyle where the transportation system shifts to be walk-based, with the Metro helping for long-distance travel within the city. It will be covering 10 locations with over 70 elements of walkways.
6 metro lines, 80 stations, 3 bus terminals, and more than 1000 sheltered stations or stops will be adorned with artworks to integrate the spirit of creativity into Riyadh’s everyday life.
The core of Riyadh is set to be one whole work of art by Saudi Vision 2030, as 19 locations of bridges, overpasses, major roads, and rail intersections will be lighted with colourful illumination of creativity.
Establishing Riyadh as a cultural symbol, 10 iconic “gates of culture” will be welcoming you at the entrance of the city in 10 separate locations.
24 works of art will be installed in 15 locations as they aim to transform Riyadh landscape into an open-air gallery for Contemporary Public Art.
Kids’ playgrounds are redefined in Riyadh parks, as 3000 elements will be featured around 200 parks of all sizes around the capital to create more inspiring places for the children to have educational adventures.
4 pavilions and 4 Interactive artworks will be installed in 8 urban locations to provide a direct communication between art produces and recipients in Riyadh.
Coming from all over the world, a group of elite sculptors will be joining to carve permanent creativity in the heart of Riyadh, open to the public to refine the general cultural mood of the city.
When light and art are celebrated in an annual festival, that is when Riyadh inspires the world with stupendous manifestations of art exhibitions, accompanied by an itinerary of talks, tours, workshops, and events.
The fourth pillar of the Mega projects in Saudi Arabia capital, launched as a part of Saudi Vision 2030. Its main purpose is to inspire a healthy lifestyle among the citizens of Riyadh, who will constitute a major factor in upscaling Riyadh ranking on the international level.
From Hanifah valley in the West to Al Salai Valley in the East, 135 kms of greenery will be your companion along various pathways dedicated for pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riding. There will also be designated areas for sporting activities, rising high up in the air the masterpiece of the Sport Tower.
4.2M sqm of greenery will span over 3.5 sq.km. of the Sports Boulevard, with 20 sq.km. of desert park that include event venues, show piazza, outdoor museums and movie theaters. As one of Saudi mega projects, investments will have their share, besides recreational and commercial activities, and together they will paint a canvas of rich cultural lifestyle in the city.
The main zones the Sports Boulevard will be covering are:
· Hanifah Valley Zone: 30 km from Al Olab Dam in historical Diyriah (north), to Al Madina Al Monawara Road (south).
· Arts District: 3 km, from King Khalid Road (west), providing cultural, art and recreational facilities.
· Urban Wadi Zone: 3.5 km and is located alongside Al Aysen valley, from Suwaid bin Harthah Road to King Fahad Road (west).
· Entertainment District: 4 km in between King Fahad Road (west) and Othman bin Affan Road, and a 40 km long viaduct for professional cyclists, in addition to an at-grade track for amateur cycling.
· Athletics District: 5 km from Othman bin Affan Road to Airport Road (east).
· Environmental Zone: 14 km from Airport Road to Al Janadriyah Road, along Al Sulai valley.
· Al Sulai Valley Zone: 53 km along Al Sulai Valley, from King Fahad Stadium to Binban Park.
· Red Sand Park: A 5 sq km zoo and a rural resort with different residential facilities.
Saudi mega projects are founded as a translation of the ambitions manifested in Saudi Vision 2030. They reflect the real visionary conception of the Kingdom of the future, and how it is planning for Riyadh to be among the top-ranking metropolis in the world, leading its way to the top of the pyramid in the near future.
To know more about Saudi mega projects and events, you are welcome to visit the experts’ blogs section on our website.
1- What are the Mega projects in Saudi Arabia?
There are 4 major Projects in Saudi Arabia that are being constructed on the way of implementing the Saudi Vision 2030, and they are: King Salman Park Project, Riyadh Green Project, Riyadh Art Project, and Sports Track Project.
2- What does King Salman Park Project offer?
Being one of Riyadh Mega Projects, the park boasts off various internal recreational projects, including: The Royal Arts Complex, cultural facilities, sports and entertainment facilities, public facilities and services, in addition to residential and hotel facilities.
3- Is there any project concerned with sustainability among the Saudi mega projects?
Of course, there is Riyadh Green Project which is a huge project Saudi Arabia has launched to encourage the plantation of 7.5 million trees across the capital, providing as such a healthy lifestyle.
4- Are the mega projects in Saudi Arabia open to investment?
Yes, Riyadh mega projects provide investment spaces for the ambitious investors from all around the world.
Written by: Sarah Chaher
Stay informed with expert-written articles and the latest trends in the real estate market.
March 25, 2025
In a move reflecting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation, Saudi officials announced the relocation of a global project in the futuristic city of Neom due to the discovery of a rare plant species found exclusively in that location. This decision came under the direct order of HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, emphasizing the priority of environmental conservation in Saudi Vision 2030.
During the planning of a luxury resort in one of Neom’s valleys, experts discovered a rare plant species that grows only in that mountainous area and had never been documented elsewhere in the world. This placed the team in a difficult position: proceed with the massive investment project or protect this unique plant.
As recounted by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Saudi Minister of Sports, on the program "Hikayat Waad" on MBC, the Crown Prince immediately ordered the project to be relocated and the original site to be turned into a natural reserve to protect the plant. The species was officially registered under the name "Neom", honoring the project that sacrificed financial gains for environmental preservation.
Neom adopts a unique environmental philosophy, aiming to dedicate 95% of its land as protected natural reserves, making it a model for sustainable development that balances urbanization and nature conservation. Key initiatives include:
The Neom plant story is not the only example of Saudi leadership’s environmental dedication. Bandar Al-Khorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, shared another instance where the Crown Prince rejected a mining investment in a protected area, humorously remarking:
"Did you search the entire country and only find this spot?"
This led to a revision of Saudi Arabia’s investment map to exclude protected zones.
The story of the rare Neom plant is not just an isolated event but a powerful statement from Saudi Arabia that true development does not come at nature’s expense. While other nations prioritize short-term economic gains over the environment, the Kingdom sets a global example in combining economic growth with ecological sustainability, reinforcing its role as a pioneer in protecting the planet for future generations.
March 23, 2025
Eid al-Fitr is a joyous religious and social occasion that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Families and friends come together to celebrate, and Saudi Arabia stands out as a prime tourist destination during this time. With its diverse attractions ranging from historical sites to natural wonders and entertainment hubs, the Kingdom offers an unforgettable holiday experience. In this article, we’ll explore the best tourist destinations and activities to enjoy during Eid al-Fitr 2025.
As the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is a city that blends modernity with tradition. It boasts a variety of tourist attractions, including:
A breathtaking natural wonder offering stunning views from the top of the Tuwaiq Escarpment.
A historic castle dating back to the 19th century, symbolizing the unification of the Kingdom.
A skyscraper featuring a luxury shopping mall, fine dining restaurants, and panoramic city views.
A must-visit for history enthusiasts, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage from ancient times to the modern era.
Known for its stunning beaches and rich culture, Jeddah is a perfect destination for Eid celebrations:
A mosque that appears to float on the Red Sea, offering a serene and picturesque setting.
A family-friendly waterfront with restaurants, cafes, and recreational activities.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring traditional houses adorned with intricate wooden balconies (Mashrabiyas).
AlUla is one of Saudi Arabia’s most iconic destinations, combining ancient history with breathtaking landscapes:
An archaeological site with Nabatean tombs carved into rock formations.
A tranquil retreat surrounded by palm trees and natural springs.
A unique rock formation resembling an elephant, perfect for photography.
Abha’s mild climate and stunning scenery make it a favorite for nature lovers:
The highest peak in Saudi Arabia, offering mesmerizing views of mist-covered mountains.
A heritage village showcasing traditional architecture and local crafts.
A family-friendly park with recreational activities and scenic walking trails.
Located off the coast of Jazan, the Farasan Islands are a haven for beach and marine enthusiasts:
Al-Ahsa is renowned for its lush palm groves and rich history, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site:
The largest palm oasis in the world, home to over 2.5 million palm trees.
Natural caves formed by erosion, perfect for exploration.
A traditional market offering local products and handicrafts.
Tabuk, in the north of Saudi Arabia, is known for its historical and natural attractions:
Dammam is famous for its beaches and modern shopping centers:
An artificial island with a zoo, amusement park, and family-friendly activities.
A waterfront area ideal for walking, cycling, and picnics.
One of the largest shopping centers in the region, featuring a variety of stores and restaurants.
Taif’s moderate climate and natural beauty make it a popular destination for families:
Umluj is known for its golden beaches and crystal-clear waters, making it a paradise for beach lovers:
In conclusion, Saudi Arabia is a comprehensive tourist destination offering diverse experiences for all tastes. Whether you’re seeking relaxation on pristine beaches, exploring ancient history, or embarking on natural adventures, Eid al-Fitr 2025 is the perfect opportunity to discover the treasures of the Kingdom. Plan your trip now and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones!
March 20, 2025
In a new step reflecting Saudi Arabia's commitment to achieving the goals of Vision 2030, the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture announced the launch of five major investment opportunities in the agricultural sector in the Al-Baha region. These opportunities, announced through the "Furas" platform, aim to enhance self-sufficiency in agricultural products, increase local production, support food security, and attract both local and international investments.
The opportunities include the establishment of an integrated agricultural city dedicated to cultivating prickly pear (cactus fruit), as well as four agricultural cities specialized in growing coffee (Arabica) trees. According to the ministry's statement, over 2.2 million square meters will be allocated for the prickly pear agricultural city, while the coffee cultivation cities will span more than 2.3 million square meters in the Baljurashi governorate of the Al-Baha region, which boasts an ideal climate and environment for these high-quality crops.
Through these projects, the Kingdom aims to achieve several strategic goals, including:
This initiative aligns with the Kingdom's efforts to diversify income sources and reduce dependence on oil, with the agricultural sector being one of the key pillars for achieving this goal. These projects also reflect Saudi Arabia's commitment to sustainable economic development and strengthening its position as a regional hub for agricultural investment.
These investment opportunities represent a significant step towards enhancing the agricultural sector in Saudi Arabia, contributing to food security and supporting the national economy. Through these projects, Saudi Arabia demonstrates its commitment to achieving Vision 2030 by diversifying the economy and creating promising investment opportunities. This move not only supports the agricultural sector but also reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leading investment destination in the region.