Things to Do in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia's 12 Popular Locations

Monday, October 3, 2022

Jeddah, a major port in the western part of Saudi Arabiainfo-icon, is known for traditional souks, diverse cultures, historical buildings, museums, attractive beaches, and delicious food. Tourists can spend time in the city, called the “Bride of the Red Sea”, doing many things. Being warm throughout, Jeddah invites travelers across the world to explore the historic and prosperous gateway playing host to pilgrims to the holy city of Mecca for centuries.

Travelers from UAE can find many direct and connecting flights from Dubai to Jeddah. You can look for cheap flight tickets online if you are on a budget. Jeddah welcomes you to discover its innumerable attractions, of which some of the famous ones are:   

1. Athr Gallery

You can find some of the best modern art forms at the Athr Gallery, which was opened to the public in 2009 to promote the latest developments, creations, and experiments in art. Situated in the Sairafi Mall complex, the gallery offers a multifunctional art space exhibiting the work of many leading Saudi artists like Muhannad Shono and Ahmad Mater.

The Athr Gallery conducts occasional exhibitions for visitors to experience diverse ideas, colors, and cultures through modern art. 

2. Al-Saif Beach

If you are looking for a place to spend quality time with your family, be at Al-Saif Beach in South Jeddah. Tourists come here to watch the stunning sunsets, stroll on the soft golden sand, go swimming in the clear waters, or have a picnic. Other than having an idyllic time at the beach, you can enjoy camping and engage in watersports. There are some cafes on the beach offering traditional snacks and drinks. 

3. Jeddah Waterfront, Corniche

The Waterfront on the Jeddah Corniche is one of the most visited tourist places in Jeddah. You can find the place captivating with opportunities to engage in various activities. There is something to revitalize and delight anyone. One of the attractions is the pedestrian bridge, which is the longest in the Saudi Kingdom. On the 4500-meter-long track on the bridge stroll, jog, or cycle freely. 

The other attractions include the Tawheed mosque, Nawras sculpture at the open-air museum, restaurants, and seaside cafes.

4. Al Rahma Mosque

Jeddah is renowned for its distinctive floating mosque called Al Rahma or Al-Rahmah Mosque, which was constructed on the water surface in 1985, with pillars planted deep into the water. The bright white color of the mosque with its turquoise dome offers a beautiful view in the sunlight. Its architectural beauty blends modern constructive art and traditional Islamic culture. There are inscriptions on large glass windows and ceilings. 

5. Al-Balad

Al-Balad is an old city in Jeddah, and it is declared a UNESCO heritage site because it holds architectural wonders that are over 500 years old. The streets have several old buildings that house shops, eateries, marketplaces, and cafes selling antiques, traditional food, and souvenirs. There are also museums that exhibit things that are reflections of the past. 

The heritage city was founded in the 7th century as a trading port. You can experience most of Al-Balad's properties at the Baeshen House, which was made using wood and coral stones.

6. Souq Shatee

You can never miss visiting traditional souks in Jeddah. Souq Shatee is a popular shopping destination frequented by tourists. There are boutiques, global showrooms, shops, and stalls that sell anything from clothes, home décor, household items, spices, perfumes, groceries, plants, jewelry, and many more. The restaurants and food stalls offer a wide selection of cuisines from the Middle Eastinfo-icon and other countries. 

Tourists can spend time here shopping and having traditional Arabic dishes. Souq Shatee is located on King Abdulaziz Road.

7. Red Sea Mall

The magnificent Red Sea Mall is the ultimate shopping destination in Jeddah, having three phases. There are 521 retail shops in the mall, located on the Al-Malek Abdulaziz Road in the north suburban part of Jeddah with a built area of over 242,200 square meters. With over 4000 parking spaces, 18 entrances, and other facilities, the Red Sea Mall helps the tourists be completely at ease. Some of the attractions include Oceanica and Aquatic Games City, a Danube supermarket, and a cinema hall.

8. Al-Shallal Theme Park

Jeddah has several theme parks, and one of the must-visit ones is the Al-Shallal Theme Park. With an area spread out over 60,000 square meters, the park is a weekend spot for families and friends to enjoy thrilling rides like high-altitude ice skating, rollercoaster, free fall, power surge, flying carousel, and slingshot. 

Kids can have a great time enjoying video games and an arcade. Families can enjoy some rides like the Pirate, Samba tower, and Amazon. The theme park is open daily from 5 pm to 1 am, depending on the day.

9. King Fahd’s Fountain

Placed in the middle of the Red Sea, the King Fahd Fountain stands tall at 312-meter high and is one of the important landmarks of Jeddah. The monument, which is 30 years old, offers a spectacular display of water falling from over 853 feet in height. High-intensity spotlights are used to illuminate the fountain in the evening. The King Fahd Fountain was constructed in 1980, and since then, it has turned out to be a great picnic spot for the people in Jeddah.

10. South Corniche

South Corniche is also called Jeddah Corniche, which lies 45 km south of Jeddah. If you want to explore the beauty of the place, you can be here on the beaches. You can enjoy swimming in crystal clear waters and walking on the soft sands watching the flamingos.

11. Durrat Al Aroos

An amusement village, Durrat Al Aroos is found in the northern part of Jeddah. The tourist village has everything from cafes, hotels, coffee shops, and resorts to schools, theme parks, and recreation parks.

12. Khalil Museum

To learn the rich history of the place, you can pay a visit to Kahlil Museum, which demonstrates old structures and buildings that date back to two thousand years. Some of the collections include Saudi Arabian Heritage, the House of Islamic Heritage, the front of the citadel, the House of the International Heritage, and the Public Heritage Exhibition.

Jeddah is one of the leading destinations in the Middle East for travelers to explore. You can plan your visit and book your flight tickets from Dubai to Jeddah in advance for the best offers online.