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Riyadh Rhapsody: Dust, Dates, and a Seriously Dry Heat

@Noah Brooks3/16/2026blog

okay, so i just landed back from riyadh and my brain feels like it’s been marinating in cardamom. it’s…a lot. i was there scouting locations for a friend’s indie film - he’s obsessed with brutalist architecture and apparently, riyadh is the place. honestly, i mostly spent my time trying not to melt and figuring out where to get decent coffee.


let’s talk about the weather. i just peeked at the data from when i was there - 28.64 celsius, felt like 27.09. but numbers don’t do it justice. it’s a dry heat, like being slowly roasted in a giant oven. the humidity was eleven percent, which is…insane. my skin was begging for mercy. the air pressure was normal, i guess, but everything felt heavier, slower. i swear, even the shadows were sluggish.


my persona for this trip? indie film scout, obviously. which means a lot of wandering around looking at concrete and trying to look important. it also means i’m perpetually exhausted and fueled by questionable street food. i’ve been to a lot of places, but riyadh is…different. it’s not exactly geared towards tourists, which is kind of refreshing. you’re not constantly bombarded with souvenir shops and people trying to sell you camel rides. it’s more…real.

someone told me that the best dates in the city are sold by this old guy near the Deerah Souq, but you have to go before noon or he’s sold out. Apparently, they’re worth fighting for.


finding good coffee was a mission. i ended up at Elixir Bunn Coffee Roasters, which was a lifesaver. seriously, if you’re going, go there. it’s a little oasis of caffeine-fueled sanity. i also stumbled upon this amazing little bakery, but i can’t for the life of me remember the name. it was near the *Al Masmak Fortress, and they had these incredible pistachio pastries. i’m still dreaming about them.


my neighbors? well, riyadh is sprawling. if you get restless, Dammam and Jeddah are a decent flight away. but honestly, the city itself is big enough to keep you occupied for weeks. i spent a day just wandering around the Kingdom Centre Tower area, gawking at the skyscrapers. it’s a weird mix of ultra-modern and deeply traditional.


gear-wise, i kept it simple:

 *Camera: Sony a7iii (obvious, right?)
 *Lenses: 35mm and 85mm (for that cinematic vibe)
 *Water bottle: A huge one. seriously, hydrate.
 *Sunscreen: SPF 50, minimum. don’t mess around.
 *Loose-fitting clothes: Linen is your friend.
 *Portable fan:* A lifesaver.

i overheard some expats complaining about the traffic. apparently, it’s legendary. they said you should avoid driving during rush hour unless you have a death wish.


reviews? i heard that the National Museum of Saudi Arabia is worth a visit, but it gets crowded. someone else warned me about the aggressive taxi drivers - apparently, they love to overcharge tourists. i also read on TripAdvisor that the Diriyah Gate is a must-see, but it’s still under construction, so expect some chaos.

overall, riyadh is…challenging. it’s not a relaxing vacation. it’s an experience. it’s hot, dusty, and a little bit overwhelming. but it’s also fascinating, unique, and surprisingly rewarding. i’m not sure i’d go back in the summer, but i’d definitely consider it during the cooler months. and if my friend ever needs a location scout again, i’m in. maybe with a bigger hat and a more powerful fan. check out this local board for more info: Expat.com Riyadh.

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About the author: Noah Brooks

Believes in the power of well-chosen words.

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