Located on the southeastern outskirts of Riyadh, As Sulay is a largely residential suburb of the Saudi Arabian capital. It’s on the doorstep of one of the city’s largest mosques, which is renowned for its monumental chandelier. Leafy parks, shopping malls and Middle Eastern-inspired restaurants dot the neighbourhood’s streets.
Things to do in As Sulay
In the south-east corner of As Sulay is Al Qasr Mall, where you’ll find stores selling everything from clothing to toys and natural goods. In the surrounding streets are plenty of restaurants specialising in Middle Eastern cuisine, including Flavours and the Sanaa Restaurant. For Syrian dishes, head to Rawabi Hama in As Sulay’s north-west.
As Sulay makes an ideal base for visiting Al Rajhi Mosque, which is one of the largest mosques in Riyadh. It was constructed using a donation gifted by the family of Al Rajhi and features twin minarets and a large dome that is illuminated after dark. Coincide your visit with the Friday prayers, which are translated into several different languages, or attend one of the regular cultural celebrations that are held here.
Nearby is Muhammad Ibn Al Qassim Park, a leafy green space named after the great Arab military commander. In addition to its central plaza where you can watch the world go by, there is a children’s playground, sporting courts and walking trails. For something more adventurous, you can take advantage of the park’s trampolines, zip lines and obstacle crossings.
Getting around As Sulay
As Sulay is around 20 minutes’ drive from the centre of Riyadh and 40 minutes from King Khalid International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to As Sulay, although taxis are the main means of getting around the area.