Ready to hit the shops in Jeddah? Whatever you’re planning to buy, the great thing about this cool coastal city is that a shopping trip here can be a fun, fascinating experience as well as a chance to splash out.
There are plenty of opportunities to delve into local culture, wandering the souqs for holiday souvenirs or homewares, picking up breads, dates and olives from local Al Balad stores or rubbing shoulders with the city’s foodies at the fish market. At the more modern end of the scale, there’s also the chance to invest in designer pieces from some of the world’s most glamorous brands or make a full day of it with the family at one of the city’s incredible mega malls.
Unsurprisingly, there are shops to suit all budgets here. Wildly expensive, luxury outlets can be found near international high-street brands and bargain souq stalls, so you can spend as much or as little as you want and still pick up some goodies. These are some of the best shopping experiences in Jeddah.
1. Mall of Arabia
One of Jeddah’s mega malls, Mall of Arabia is based near the airport and has more than 400 shops, plus children’s entertainment centres, cinemas, restaurants and cafes. Two of the biggest draws for families are the giant soft play area, Billy Beez, and Kidzania, an interactive mini ‘city’ designed for kids to learn through role-play. As for the shopping, you’d be pushed to think of a global brand not represented here, and the mall is particularly good for sportswear (Sun & Sand Sports and Sports Direct have branches here) and fashion.
At the bottom of the mall is an entire floor devoted to jewellery stores, specialising in gold. After all that shopping, retreat to the mammoth food court to fill up on anything from fast food to international cuisines – there are Italian, Chinese and Indian food outlets along with Middle Eastern chain restaurants and an endless array of coffee shops.
2. Red Sea Mall
This colossal mall isn’t just a place to shop, it’s a giant entertainment zone where you could easily spend a full day (or more, as there’s an on-site hotel). There are more than 600 stores here – expect a mix of international high-street brands such as Zara and Adidas, high-end designer outlets and popular Middle Eastern clothing stores.
But the shopping is just the start of it. There are 80-plus cafes, restaurants and fast food spots, a cinema, an 8000-sq-m indoor karting arena and a virtual reality games zone. Kids will love Sparky’s, a massive amusement park with rides, soft play, video games, and all sorts of other attractions. Air-conditioned and open until midnight, Red Sea Mall is a great option for an easy day out in summer that’s a welcome respite from the heat.
3. Tahlia Street
Fancy a little splurge? Or…a really big splurge? Tahlia Street is Jeddah’s most glamorous (and expensive) shopping destination. This palm-lined street is home to some of the world’s most coveted designer brands – think Prada, Gucci, Dior, Cartier and Chanel. If your wallet doesn’t quite stretch to a spree in those boutiques, Tahlia Street is still worth a visit. There are lots of cafes and restaurants where you can grab a coffee or some snacks and enjoy a bit of people-watching in one of the city's wealthiest locales.
Tahlia Street is also a good destination for abaya shopping – Serafi Mega Mall, on the corner of 60th Street, has a whole floor dedicated to abayas. All sorts of colours, styles and fabrics can be found here, many of which are very reasonably priced.
4. Al Balad
Did you even really go to Jeddah if you don’t come back with a suitcase full of soft-toy camels, thawb-clad figurines, flip-flop keyrings and slogan t-shirts? Some of the best kitsch souvenir shops can be found in Al Balad, and you can pick up lots of gifts and fun mementos of your trip at shops like Al Wisam, Jeddah Souvenir and Al Balad Souvenir. The streets of Al Balad can be a little tricky to navigate, so find their map-plotted locations at the Visit Al Balad website.
Wander further through the back streets and you’ll also pass numerous traditional snack shops and bakeries, perfect if you need a little pick-me-up during a day of retail therapy. Try oven-baked breads with fennel seeds, and sobia, a cool, sweet white drink made from barley, flour and syrup. There are also plenty of date shops in Al Balad, so take the opportunity to sample the different varieties – fresh, dried or stuffed with nuts – and eat them on the spot or package them up to take home.
5. Qabel Trail
Jeddah’s oldest souq is also a great place for souvenir shopping, especially if you’re after some more authentic purchases. Spices, oud perfumes, handcrafted homewares and rugs are all available here. This historic market dates back to the early 20th century, and still has a very old-world feel with traditional buildings lining the narrow Al Balad road. You can haggle for better prices here – stay relaxed and polite and take your time to make a deal everyone’s happy with. Qabel Trail opens in the early evening and stays lively until midnight. Find it by heading to the Al Amoudi Exchange building.
6. Central Fish Market
A shopping experience with a difference but stay with us – the Central Fish Market is a destination in its own right. Head here to shop for the catches of the day from the rows of busy stalls, and pick local fish such as red grouper (known as 'najil') or Napoleon wrasse (known as 'tarabani') as well as calamari, sea bass, tuna and more. Ticket prices are already reasonable and you can haggle if you’re feeling confident too. Have your purchases cleaned and wrapped if you want to cook them at home, or take them to the on-site restaurant if you can’t wait to tuck in.
