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Jeddah

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Jeddah

Saudi Arabia's relaxed Red Sea port and the gateway to Makkah: coral-stone houses in UNESCO-listed Al-Balad, a long seafront Corniche, the world's tallest fountain, the Floating Mosque and coral reefs a boat ride offshore.

Favourite places

Historical places

Local food

  • Saleeg

    Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    A comforting Hejazi dish from the Taif, Makkah and Jeddah region: short-grain white rice slow-cooked in milk and broth until creamy, served with roast chicken and a drizzle of ghee.

  • Mutabbaq

    Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    Thin, crispy folded pastry filled with minced meat, egg and leek (or a sweet banana and cheese version), cooked on a hot griddle. A favourite Hejazi street snack, especially in the evening and in Ramadan.

  • Sayadiyah

    Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    A coastal Red Sea dish of fish served over spiced rice browned with onions — the classic seafood meal of Jeddah.

Where to eat

  • Street food in Al-Balad

    Souq Al-Alawi and the lanes around Nassif House

    In the evening the old town fills with stalls frying mutabbaq, bakeries selling hot tamees, ful pots and sellers of sweets, juices and Hejazi snacks.

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  • Fish market restaurants

    Central fish market near the old port, south of Al-Balad

    Choose fresh Red Sea fish at the market and have it grilled or fried at a nearby restaurant, served with sayadiyah rice — a long-standing Jeddah habit.

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  • Al Baik

    Branches across Jeddah (and Makkah)

    The fried-chicken chain founded in Jeddah in the 1970s is a national favourite and a rite of passage for visitors — expect queues at busy times.

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Where to stay

  • Al Rawdah, Tahlia Street and Al Andalus

    Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    Central Jeddah between the airport road and the sea: business hotels, malls and restaurants, with easy taxi access to everywhere.

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  • Al-Balad and the old centre

    Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    Stay near the historic district to walk its lanes in the evening. Choice is smaller and more basic, but restored heritage stays are slowly appearing.

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Culture

Jeddah is the heart of the Hejaz, the western region shaped by centuries of pilgrims and traders from Africa, Asia and the wider Muslim world. You hear it in the local dialect, taste it in dishes like saleeg, mutabbaq and sayadiyah, and see it in Al-Balad's merchant houses.

The city has a strong art scene, from the large outdoor sculptures along the Corniche to galleries and festivals, and evenings by the sea are a way of life — families picnic, walk and fish along the waterfront late into the night.

History

Jeddah has been a port on the Red Sea for well over a thousand years. In the 7th century the Caliph Uthman ibn Affan made it the port of Makkah, and from then on pilgrims arriving by sea for Hajj and Umrah landed here — earning it the name "Gate to the Two Holy Mosques".

Trade and pilgrims made Jeddah a cosmopolitan merchant city. Its families built tall houses of coral stone with carved wooden balconies (roshan), forming the old town now called Al-Balad, listed by UNESCO in 2014 as "Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah". The city walls came down in the mid-20th century as Jeddah grew.

Jeddah joined the Saudi state in 1925, and it hosted foreign embassies and ministries for decades. Today it is the Kingdom's second city and its commercial hub, with a reputation for being the most open and easygoing city in the country.

Tour plans

Jeddah in three days

3 days, 2 nights

  1. Step 1: Day 1 — Al-Balad

    Late afternoon in the old town: Nassif House, the coral-stone lanes and Souq Al-Alawi, then mutabbaq and Hejazi street food in the evening.

  2. Step 2: Day 2 — The Red Sea

    A morning diving or snorkelling boat trip from Obhur, then a relaxed afternoon by the sea.

  3. Step 3: Day 3 — Corniche and fountain

    Visit the Floating Mosque from the shore, walk the Jeddah Waterfront at sunset and watch King Fahd Fountain light up at night.

Map

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Travel information

Best time to visit

November to March, when it is warm and pleasant. Summers are hot and very humid; Ramadan and the Hajj season are busy with pilgrims.

How to get there

By air: King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), north of the city, is one of the country's busiest airports, with flights from around the world and frequent domestic flights. Taxis and ride-hailing apps connect it to the city.

By train: the Haramain High-Speed Railway links Jeddah with Makkah and Madinah (via King Abdullah Economic City). It has stations at the airport and in the city (Al-Sulaimaniyah).

By road: highways connect Jeddah to Makkah (about 80 km), Taif and Madinah, with intercity buses to most cities.

Getting around

  • Ride-hailing and taxis are the usual way to get around; Jeddah is long and spread out along the coast.
  • Buses: a city bus network serves main roads.
  • On foot: best inside Al-Balad and along the Corniche promenades.
  • Car hire: useful for the northern beaches and Obhur.

Travel tips

  • Dress: modest clothing is expected in public; swimwear is for private beaches, resorts and boats. Women should cover their hair in mosques.
  • Prayer times: shops close briefly for each of the five daily prayers.
  • Friday is the weekly holy day; many places open only after the midday prayer.
  • Heat and humidity: stay hydrated, and plan walks for the morning or after sunset.
  • Makkah: non-Muslims may not enter Makkah, about an hour east; signs on the highway direct traffic.
  • Currency is the Saudi riyal (SAR); time zone UTC+3. Alcohol is illegal.

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