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King Fahd Fountain

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

King Fahd Fountain

The world's tallest fountain, shooting a jet of seawater hundreds of metres above the Red Sea off Jeddah's Corniche, lit at night.

Favourite places

Local food

  • Sayadiyah

    Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

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

  • 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.

Where to eat

  • Corniche and Waterfront cafés

    North Corniche and Jeddah Waterfront

    Cafés, juice bars and family restaurants along the sea, busiest after sunset when the breeze cools the air.

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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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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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Culture

For Jeddah residents the fountain is a city icon, a backdrop to family evenings and seafront picnics.

History

King Fahd Fountain (also called the Jeddah Fountain) was a gift to the city from King Fahd and began operating in the 1980s. It sits in the sea just off the Corniche and pumps Red Sea water at very high speed, sending a jet well over 250 metres into the air — high enough to be seen from much of the city.

It is listed as the tallest fountain in the world. At night, hundreds of lights turn the plume into a glowing column above the water.

Tour plans

Fountain evening

Evening

  1. Step 1: Sunset on the Waterfront

    Arrive before dark for the sunset.

  2. Step 2: Fountain lights

    Find a spot facing the fountain as it lights up.

  3. Step 3: Dinner nearby

    Seafood or café along the Corniche.

Map

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Travel information

Best time to visit

Evenings, when it usually runs and is lit; October to April for the most pleasant weather. Operation can depend on wind.

How to get there

On the Corniche: the fountain is off the central-southern Corniche, near the King Fahd Palace area. Take a taxi to a Corniche parking area or park with a view of it — the Waterfront is a popular spot.

Getting around

  • There is no access to the fountain itself; watch it from the Corniche parks and walkways.
  • Walk between viewing points along the promenade.

Travel tips

  • The fountain does not always run, and may stop in strong wind or for maintenance — check locally.
  • The best photos are after dark, from a distance.
  • Combine with an evening walk on the Waterfront.

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