Highlights
Al Balad Old Town
One of the most evocative spots in the city, Al Balad is Jeddah’s historical heart, which was first established in the 7th century and is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site. Traverse hidden alleyways between ancient merchant houses made from coral stone, shop in vibrant souqs and markets, sample authentic Arabian delicacies at traditional bakeries, or marvel at Nasseef House – a grand, restored building that was home to the former king of Saudi Arabia Abdulaziz Ibn Saud in 1925. Whilst allowing you to step back in time to ancient Arabia, Al Balad also reflects Jeddah and the Kingdom’s increasing modernisation. A recent renaissance has seen empty spaces transformed into unique cafés, contemporary galleries and mangour woodwork workshops.
Jeddah Corniche
The Jeddah Corniche – also known as the Jeddah Waterfront – is a four-kilometre stretch that celebrates the city’s location beside the Red Sea. Sandy bays and bustling piers are joined by lushly landscaped walking and cycling paths, as well as an array of great restaurants and iconic sculptures – including works by Henry Moore and Joan Miró, which first arrived in the city in the 1970s. The sunsets over the Red Sea are just spectacular here, especially behind the incredible King Fahd’s Fountain, the world’s tallest at 300-meters tall. Truly a sight to behold, its mighty jet of water is lit up until midnight.
Tayebat City
Jeddah is one of the oldest seaports in the Gulf and, as the gateway to the holy city of Makkah (only accessible for Muslims), it has been welcoming worldwide visitors for centuries. Highlighting the city’s rich 2,500-year history, Tayebat Museum houses a carefully curated collection of exhibits in a building that recreates the traditional Hijazi architecture of the old city, with bay windows overlaid with intricate wooden lattice work and ornate coral masonry. There’s a floor dedicated to the history of Islam (including the prominence of the pilgrimage to Makkah), an exhibit on the pre-Islamic history of Jeddah (where settlements are believed to have existed in the 6th century AD) and a feature on the formation of Saudi Arabia into a modern Kingdom.