Who knew a plane ticket to Riyadh would get me a passport to the entire world?
Talk about taking full advantage of annual leave. 🌎
Welcome to Boulevard World, Riyadh’s most extravagant adventure destination to date. Out of all the incredible experiences Riyadh Season has to offer, this one completely blew my expectations out of the water.
From the elegant streets of Paris to the enchanting beauty of East Asia and the vibrance of Africa, Boulevard World takes you on a whirlwind journey...around the world.
So, what exactly is Boulevard World? What can you expect? And, of course, what were my personal highlights from this jaw-dropping entertainment hub? Let’s dive into everything you need to know before visiting.
What is Boulevard World?
Part of Riyadh Season, a series of entertainment events to capture the vibrance of Saudi's capital city, Riyadh has opened Boulevard World from October through March.
Boulevard World recreates a variety of countries and continents with their iconic landmarks and cultural experiences.
The sub-zones in this park include; Italian, American, Greek, French, Egyptian, Turkish, Japanese, Moroccan and so many more.
In short, if you're fancying a dreamy slice of pizza from sweet Italy, and then wanting to wash wash it down with a traditional karak tea from South Asia – you're in the right place.
Here are each of the sub-zones I managed to visit in our 5-hour family walk around Boulevard World:
Saudi Subzone 🇸🇦
As soon as you enter the venue, you'll be greeted by Saudi Arabia with their flags waving high in the sky.
We then got to walk immediately through the streets of Arabia, welcomed with traditional tea and the earthy smell of Oud, soaking in all the beauty of its culture.
Chinese Subzone 🇨🇳
We then (casually) made our way into China, immersing ourselves into Chinese traditions and, of course, stopping off at the Indomi noodle bar for a bite to keep us going!
The red lanterns overseeing the Chinese markets were a dream to look up at – (See below).
Greece 🇬🇷
Up next, Greece!
Okay, this was definitely one of my favourite countries to tour because it was truly stunning. 😍
Everything you'd expect from the pure white walls giving Santorini vibes to the ancient architecture similar to that of Athens, and the mesmerising homes built on hilltops.
We also got the chance to watch a show in the traditional Greek theatre!
Egyptian Subzone 🇪🇬
Be sure to stop off in this (not so) miniature version of the Pyramids of Giza, situated in the Egyptian subzone of Boulevard World.
You can experience from enormous pyramids to hieroglyphs, to much-loved restaurants serving up authentic Egyptian dishes.
The Africa Zone
Africa Zone opens you up to several wildlife experiences, including Giraffe Experience and Bird's Nest, and BLVD Forest. You can get up close and personal with various animals, and experience authentic foods and seek traditional clothing from stores around this vibrant subzone.
South Asian Subzone
Finding comfort in our roots, we walked through the bustling streets of South Asia, greeted by karak tea, cultural performances, rows of colourful traditional clothing.
And, not to mention, ending the mini Asia tour with gol gappa! 🇵🇰
Japan 🇯🇵
As someone who has Japan on the top of their bucket list, I was so eager to get a taste of Japanese culture from Boulevard World and – let's just say – I was not disappointed.
Apart from not being able to find the famous Japanese fluffy pancakes, I think it's safe to say Japan was a colourful dream.
Everything from the literal floating market shaded by multi-coloured umbrellas to a replica of a lively Tokyo city, Japan was packed with immersive experiences that you cannot miss.
USA Zone 🇺🇸
Welcome to USA... Home of the Good Burger' (Kel's Voice 🗣️).
Boulevard World created a Miami-esque version of USA with a walk down Route 66 filled with American diners, quirky signs, and a yellow NYC Taxi for your Instagram pics.
Here you can find your classc burgers, hot-dogs and fries – and all that bit better knowing everything is halal!
This post covers only a fraction of everything that this park has to offer – hence the five hours of walking!
All in all, Boulevard World in Riyadh is an unmissable experience for anyone looking to immerse themselves in a whirlwind of culture and entertainment.
With entry prices at 58 SAR on weekends and 29 SAR on weekdays, it’s a great outing for families, friends, or even solo explorers.
It's good to note that, while it’s a fantastic destination for families, the size of the venue means there’s a lot of walking involved – so little ones might tire out quicker than expected.
Open until March, now is the perfect time to plan your visit and experience this incredible attraction before it’s gone. You won't want to miss it!
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