Al-Tahlia may not be as famous as the Champs-Élysées itself, but it is longer, noisier, and perhaps just as bright. The 4.8 km long road is Riyadh’s swankiest, and whatever is on either side of it, whether a mall, a clothing shop, or a restaurant, can only be categorized as luxurious.
If you were to visit Al-Tahlia (actually named Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Street) on the weekend at twilight, you are promised quite an experience. The street comes to life as distinctive lighting patterns on lampposts begin to light up. You cannot possibly miss the pampered palm trees contribute towards the lighting too; every single palm tree’s trunk is covered in a beautiful LED wire that illuminates as well. Even nature is bright on Al-Tahlia.
Slowly but surely, high-end sports and luxury cars begin rolling in, along with sports bikes and classic American choppers. Eventually, these vehicles will come together and race their engines, only to produce sound notes that are sure to draw your attention from hundreds of meters away. You have been warned!
This fine cocktail drives the greatest attention of the young male population of Riyadh, and the youth most commonly found on Al- Tahlia come from varying backgrounds and social statuses.
The better off people are usually found in their fancy cars roaming about the street with their friends or in expensive clothing shops, whereas other youngsters are mostly found either skating or biking on the street in gigantic groups.
Those at the middle are very evenly spread out on Al-Tahlia, and usually mix in with both groups and their activities. Cafés along the street, however, are one of the few places where all people can be seen together.
Only after your mind settles into this noisy, yet dynamic ambience, you shall now realize that it is best to continue on foot for as long as possible because of the traffic. Although almost impossible to cover the whole street from start to end on foot, walking gives a Champs-Élysées type vibe. With the sidewalks generally free and well lit, walking is not a hassle at all and can be a gratifying experience.
You shall see many cafés that offer outdoor seating, and starting at one of them will truly indulge you into the nightlife of this street. Once you have had a drink, the next spectacle would have been the number of exotic car showrooms on the street. It is almost impossible to walk while keeping one of these showrooms out of sight.
Now make your way to luxury. Walk into Centria Mall and feel the subtle change of your surroundings. Its lighting is soothing to the eyes, and provides a calm, cozy, and luxurious environment. The mall highlights the world-renowned clothing and cosmetic brand showrooms, making high-income earners and VIPs a common sight. It is one of the places on Al-Tahlia where relaxation possibly is found.
Other than Centria you may like to tour either Panorama Mall or Localizer Mall. Fortunately, all three malls are on the same street. You do not need to leave Al-Tahlia to get to any of them.
Panorama is the largest of the three and has many brands, both world-renowned and local ones. You shall find it difficult getting around the mall due to its size and number of business showrooms it has. Panaroma is rather boisterous, whereas the neighborhood around it is tranquil, and the houses are more like mansions.
If you want to ride like a rich man surrounded by luxury, try Al-Araba Petrol Pump. What on earth can possibly be luxurious about a petrol pump, you ask? The station has a Limo Rental Service, and the limos for rent include a Cadillac Escalade, a Lincoln, and a Hummer, all of which are approximately 8-10 meters long! You have visited the malls and shopping centers, and been overcome by the liveliness of the street. Now, it is time to close the night with a lavish Arab cuisine. Maybe Italian? What about a grilled and crispy one? Certainly, there are so many options for you to entertain your appetite with starting with sandwiches of different tastes and kinds and ending up with meals of many dishes belonging to different cuisines on your table.
The Noodle House restaurant inside Centria is one of many that will cater your slurp needs, while Rosso Pomodoro, outside in Al-tahlia itself, will leave you lost in the aroma of Italy’s pizzeria. If you want a good grill however, Karam Beirut, Anatolia Turkish Grill, Chili’s, or Apple Bee’s, among many others, are sure to deliver. Outback Steakhouse inside Localizer Mall will simply leave you in awe, as it is the largest branch anywhere in the world!
All in all, Al-Tahlia puts up quite a competition with many famous streets in Saudi Arabia and in the region. Although weekdays deliver a different sight than weekends, any day can be pleasing on Al-Tahlia. One night on the street is not enough. You shall come here more often to experience the best of Riyadh.

Sabur Abdul-Basit is a freelance author from Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania in the United States of America.

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