SA
Jeddah
Red Sea gateway of coral houses and corniche life
Red Sea gateway of coral houses and corniche life
The UNESCO-listed historic core is a magical warren of centuries-old coral-stone tower houses with carved wooden rawasheen balconies, souqs, coffee houses and restored heritage mansions.
💡 Wander at dusk when the lanes come alive and the light is golden.
The revamped waterfront stretches for kilometres along the Red Sea, with sculptures, cafes, beaches and promenades where families gather to catch the evening breeze.
💡 Sunset over the Red Sea from the corniche is a local ritual.
The tallest fountain in the world jets seawater over 250 metres into the air above the corniche, a floodlit spectacle visible across the city at night.
💡 Best viewed after dark when it is illuminated.
The elegant white Al-Rahmah Mosque appears to float on the Red Sea at high tide, its minaret and domes mirrored in the water, especially beautiful at sunset.
💡 Dress modestly; visit around sunset for the best photos.
Jeddah is a gateway to some of the world’s most pristine coral reefs, with dive sites of vibrant coral, walls and abundant fish just off the coast.
💡 Day trips and liveaboards run to the best reefs from the marinas.
Jeddah’s food reflects its cosmopolitan port history, from Hejazi specialities like saleeg (creamy rice with meat) and foul to a huge range of Levantine, Yemeni, Egyptian and South Asian cooking brought by generations of pilgrims and traders. Fresh Red Sea fish is a highlight, and Al-Balad’s cafes serve mint tea and Arabic coffee. Alcohol is prohibited, but the juice bars and coffee scene are excellent.
Explore the coral houses and souqs of Al-Balad by day, then walk the corniche at sunset for the Floating Mosque and King Fahd Fountain.
Take a diving or snorkelling trip to the offshore reefs, then relax over fresh seafood back on the waterfront.
Shops and restaurants pause for each prayer; Al-Balad is liveliest in the evenings.
Modest dress is expected; Jeddah is more relaxed than the interior but still conservative.
Cards work widely, but keep riyals for souqs and small cafes in Al-Balad.
November to March is warm and pleasant; summers are hot and very humid on the coast.
Skyscraper Riyadh, Red Sea Jeddah, the Nabataean tombs of AlUla, misty-mountain Abha and the reefs of the Farasan Islands — five faces of Saudi Arabia.