10 things to see and do in Jeddah

Jeddah, a city of four million and a gateway to Makkah (also spelled Mekka or Mecca), Islam’s holiest place, is a perfect juxtaposition of ancient history and glitzy modernity. While the so-called Bride of the Red Sea is also the perfect base from where to explore further afield within Saudi Arabia, there’s more than enough to keep you riveted while you’re in town.

1. Get lost in Al Balad, the Old Town 

The Old Town of Jeddah, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a unique neighbourhood of small lanes flanked by towering houses decorated with delicate and ornate mashrabiya-style doors, balconies and windows. Al Balad, Jeddah’s historical centre, was founded in the 7th century and was part of a trading port. Spend the afternoon wandering its cobbled streets, admiring a clutch of restored centuries-old houses and dusty, sepia-hued structures. Pop into a café, such as Historical Nights, and park yourself at the rooftop terrace for a coffee and a different, but just as striking, view of the district.

2. Travel back in time at Nassif House Museum

Bait Nassif is a grand, four-storey mansion built in the late 1800s for Omar Nasseef Efendi, Jeddah’s then governor. The building is noted for its size and stunning architectural details, as well as the fact that King Abdul Aziz, the first king of Saudi Arabia, lived here for three years during his reign, which lasted from 1926 to 1932. It has since been turned into a museum, and an arts and cultural centre right in the heart of Al Balad. Here, visitors may catch a glimpse into what life was like within these magnificent mansions.

3. Stroll along the Jeddah Waterfront

The Jeddah Corniche and Waterfront is a 30km stretch alongside the Red Sea, and a popular meeting point for locals. For the best first impression, walk up from the Jeddah sign to the beautiful little Island Mosque, and stop for an ice cream in one of the many cutesy food stalls. Then head up to Al Rahma Mosque, which is magnificent at sunset.

4. Dive into the Red Sea

The Red Sea is a fantastic and unique marine environment. Teeming with aquatic life, it’s a superb scuba diving and watersports destination. Have a look at what lives in the sea first in the Fakieh Aquarium, before heading to one of the many western-style beach resorts along the coast, such as Silver Sands Beach with its white, sandy beaches hemmed by palm trees and plenty of watersports activities on offer.

5. Take in some art at the Jeddah Sculpture Museum

The recently restored, open-air Jeddah Sculpture Museum is home to a collection of abstract works by internationally renowned artists such as Jean Miró, Henry Moore and Victor Vasarely, the French-Hungarian Op Art pioneer. Their works are exposed to the elements and displayed along a 7km-stretch of the Corniche, against the lovely backdrop of the sea.  

6. Watch the King Fahd’s Fountain

King Fahd’s Fountain, also simply called Jeddah Fountain, is Jeddah’s most famous landmark. It is also the largest fountain of its kind in the world. The single waterspout, ejected from a large incense burner pot called mabkhara, reaches up to an impressive height of 312m. Lit with 500 LED lights, it looks spectacular at night. 

7. Shop the souqs

Spend a day at the local markets called souqs, teeming with spices, food stuffs, and wares you’re not likely to find at home — for instance, cooking pots large enough to hold a camel. In Al Balad, you get spices and local handicrafts, whereas in Souq Al-Mujan in the Al Safa neighbourhood, you can buy incense and perfumes. Or head to Oasis Mall, where there is everything made from gold, including belts, body jewellery, and gold bars, while at the large indoor fish market, you can get the fishermen’s daily catch cooked to order. 

8. Savour the local specialties

The city offers everything from luxury restaurants (think Nobu) to food stalls that sell pressed juices and fruit. In the Old Town there are traditional cafes, hiding in tiny alleys, that serve local specialties such as chicken and rice dishes, kibbeh, shish taook or sharwama. The typical local cuisine is a heady mix of Egyptian, Yemeni, Indian and Lebanese, and you can sample the varied tastes in restaurants such as Foul Fattah.

9. Head to the Tayebat Museum

The Tayebat Museum is like a city within a city, celebrating the regional Hijazi architecture. You’ll find countless rooms and displays across four floors. Inside this private museum you’ll learn of the history of Jeddah, of the region and of the whole Saudi Arabia, through exhibits of Islamic art and antiques, old manuscripts, coins, and truly informative information displays. 

10. Before you depart, take a last look around the airport

It might sound counter-intuitive, but you’ll want to be at the King Abdulaziz International Airport extra early on your way out of Jeddah. The new Terminal 1 houses the World’s largest airport aquarium, which is a mesmerising sanctuary of calm standing between the bustling arrivals and departure areas. The airport is always busy with pilgrims from around the world, all dressed in white terry cloth robes, heading to Makkah. This makes Jeddah not only the busiest airport in Saudi Arabia, but also inadvertently creating a unique spectacle to behold, especially during Eid Al Adha, the festival of sacrifice. 

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