6 Must Visit Places In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Known as the Bride of the Red Sea, the port city of Jeddah has long been regarded as Saudi Arabia’s cultural capital. Beyond majestic mosques and historic souks, Jeddah also has a burgeoning art scene and diverse foodie culture, ready to explore.

There’s an Arabic saying – Jeddah ghair, meaning “Jeddah is different” – that epitomises this coastal city’s unique character. Serving as the gateway to Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, Jeddah has been heavily influenced by the influx of pilgrims it has received over the centuries; playing host to people from all over the world has made Jeddah one of Saudi Arabia’s most diverse and progressive cities. From strolling along the corniche and pristine beaches, to indulging in some retail therapy at age-old souks and discovering the city’s vibrant art scene, exploring Jeddah promises to be an adventure in history and culture.

# Visit Jeddah’s famous corniche

One of Jeddah’s nicknames is the Bride of the Red Sea, because of the integral role that the sea – and particularly the sea port – has played in the city’s development. Today, Jeddah’s waterfront corniche is also among the most happening places in the city. At any given time of the day or evening, expect to find families and groups of friends promenading along this pristine 30km stretch of coast, which was renovated in 2017 and is home to an assortment of restaurants, parks, resorts and mosques. After concerts were legalised in the Kingdom in 2018, Jeddah’s corniche became one of the first places to host musical performances – look out for concerts and festivals happening here, such as the XJED entertainment event.

# Go shopping at one of its many world-class shopping malls

Jeddah has more than two dozen malls, which serve as key social hubs – not least thanks to their air conditioning. Some of the most popular are Mall of Arabia, Red Sea Mall, Andalus and Boulevard.

Expect to find a wide range of international brands, including high-end names such as Gucci, Coach and Burberry, as well as mainstream options including H&M, Zara and Bershka. Dining options range from international chains such as the Cheesecake Factory, PF Chang’s and McDonald’s to local and regional brands, including Lebanese Zaatar w Zeit and Saudi burger joint Herfy’s.

# Explore Al Balad, Jeddah’s oldest neighbourhood

Dating back to the seventh century, Al Balad is the oldest neighbourhood in Jeddah and served as the city centre for several hundred years. When Saudi Arabia began to develop economically after the discovery of oil in the 1970s and 1980s, most neighbourhoods in Jeddah began to develop rapidly. Al Balad, however, remained mostly unchanged. Consequently, the neighbourhood has become an important heritage and cultural hub. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to several open-air markets – a complete contrast to the shopping malls of modern-day Jeddah. It also houses historical landmarks including the Old Jeddah Wall, built to protect the old city, mosques and tower houses built in the late-19th century, all connected by narrow, winding alleyways.

# Experience the city’s spirituality by visiting its mosques

As in the rest of Saudi Arabia, you can’t walk more than a few streets in Jeddah without stumbling upon a mosque. Although Islam’s holiest city, Mecca, is just an hour’s drive away, there are several mosques in Jeddah that are worth a visit in their own right. Al Rahma mosque, for instance, on the Jeddah corniche, sits on stilts and appears to be floating over the sea. People of all faiths are welcome, but be mindful that it is considered disrespectful to wander through while prayers are ongoing.

# Visit Mecca Gate

Historic Jeddah was a walled city that, famously, had two main gates; one that opened into the sea and one that faced Mecca (a perfect metaphor for the role of the city as the gateway for religious pilgrims on their way to Mecca). Although the wall is long since gone, Mecca Gate still exists and today can be found at the start of the Jeddah-Mecca highway.

# Visit the souks

For a change of pace from Jeddah’s ultra-modern malls, take a stroll through one of the city’s many open-air markets, or souk. Al Balad’s souk is among the oldest and most popular, selling everything from traditional clothes and perfumes to jewellery and crockery. Another firm favourite, Gabel Street Souk dates back to the 1950s and sells clothes, jewellery, shoes, rare coffee beans, carpets and electronics.