Since ancient times, Jeddah has always had its gates wide open to visitors, welcoming pilgrims and traders en masse; and more recently, curious travellers. The result is a vibrant, dynamic city with international influences evident wherever you go – especially in the cuisine, the architecture and the culture.
There’s no shortage of things to do here, from visiting restored coral houses, diving at one of the world-class dive sites, delving into regional history at museums and cultural centres, or just soaking up the coastal vibes along the beautiful Corniche. These are some of the top things to do in Jeddah.
1. Admire the architecture of Al Balad
The oldest part of Jeddah, Al Balad, is one of Saudi Arabia's five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In many ways, it’s a living museum, with an array of traditional architectural styles giving a glimpse into the Jeddah of the past. Perhaps most famous are the coral tower houses – tall, multi-storey buildings constructed from coral limestone extracted from Red Sea reefs.
Look out for the old houses that used to belong to wealthy merchant families, with wooden balconies, intricately carved doors and latticed windows, often painted in bright blue or green. Naseef House, once the royal residence of King Abdulaziz, is one of the recently restored coral houses and doubles as a cultural centre with exhibitions and lectures open to visitors.
2. Crane your neck at the dizzying heights of King Fahd’s Fountain
It’s one of Jeddah’s most iconic sights – glorious jets of water from the Red Sea shooting up to 260m into the sky. King Fahd’s Fountain operates 24/7, but is arguably best enjoyed after dark, when over 500 LED spotlights light up the dark sky. An evening excursion to admire the illuminated spray is one of the most popular things to do at night, especially for families.
The record-breaking fountain was launched in 1985 and was a gift to the city of Jeddah from King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, the former ruler of Saudi Arabia. King Fahd’s Fountain can be seen from all across the city, but the best place to view it is along the waterfront at Jeddah’s Corniche.
3. Pay your respects at Jeddah’s famous ‘Floating Mosque’
The Floating Mosque, also known as Al Rahma Mosque, is a remarkable sight. Built on pillars off the Red Sea coast, at high tide it appears to be floating on top of the seawater. Built in 1985, the mosque is a showcase for ancient and modern Islamic architectural styles, featuring a turquoise dome and white minaret.
It’s connected to the shore at the northern part of Corniche Road by a walled walkway and is open to visitors and tourists, with non-Muslims welcome to visit outside of prayer times. Time a walk past at sunset to see this otherworldy mosque at its most beautiful.
4. Soak up the city’s beach vibes along Jeddah Corniche
Jeddah’s stunning Corniche stretches 30km along the Red Sea coastline, and features all manner of attractions – there are free public beaches, palm-lined promenades, cycling and jogging tracks, and plenty of shady seating areas for enjoying the sea views (and if you’re lucky, a cool sea breeze).
A walk here makes for a lovely family outing as there are interesting sculptures dotted along the route, parks and playgrounds aplenty, and numerous casual cafes and ice cream stalls. Those planning an evening visit will find the corniche at its liveliest once the sun goes down – it’s well-lit and safe, making it an especially popular nighttime destination.
5. Bargain for souvenirs in traditional souqs
From delicate gold jewellery to traditional leather goods, piles of spices, dried fruit and plenty of sweet-smelling fragrances, Jeddah’s ancient souqs are a true cultural experience whether you’re in the mood for shopping or not. The city’s past as a crossroads for traders and pilgrims en route to Mecca lives on in these markets – browsing the stalls, chatting to vendors and picking up a few souvenirs makes for a fascinating afternoon.
Try some polite haggling at the sprawling Souq Al Alawi for traditional clothing and jewellery, or Gabel Street Souq (Qabel Trail) for local dates, honey and spices. Most souqs are open in the mornings and evenings to make the most of the cooler temperatures – check opening times before you go.
6. Tuck into seafood fresh off the boats at the Central Fish Market
It may not be the most glam destination, but foodies mustn’t miss a visit to the Central Fish Market, a thriving institution where tourists rub shoulders with locals to enjoy the freshest seafood in the city. It’s an early start if you’re dedicated to snapping up the best catches of the day, as sales begin at 5am. But if you do manage to get there early and bag something delicious (grouper, sea bass, sardines, lobster and more are readily available), you can bring it straight to the on-site restaurant, who will keep it for you until you return for lunch.
7. Venture beneath the waves at world-class diving sites
Jeddah is known as a spectacular diving destination, with a combination of unique Red Sea marine life, atmospheric wrecks and warm, clear water attracting deep sea enthusiasts from across the world. There are plenty of reputable tour operators in the city who can arrange tours to the best sites in and around Jeddah – most major hotels have connections with them and can help organise your trip.
Sharm Obhur is one popular site, where you can swim with turtles, lionfish and eels. Southwest of Jeddah is Abu Tair where the remains of the Greek ship, Staphonos, still lie after it sunk in 1978 – whitetip sharks and rays swim around the scattered cargo of the ‘Cable Wreck.’
8. Delve into the past at Al Tayebat Museum
Al Tayebat International City Museum for Science and Knowledge is an acclaimed museum that takes visitors on a journey through Jeddah’s past, its connections to the Islamic world, regional arts and crafts, and historic artefacts. The sprawling museum is housed in multiple buildings that display minarets and traditional architectural features, creating an authentic setting in which to uncover Jeddah’s heritage.
