Shopping · Jeddah · Saudi Arabia
Shopping in Jeddah
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Tahir mq, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Jeddah mixes traditional souqs in Al-Balad, where spices, oud and fabrics are sold from small shops, with some of the largest malls in the kingdom along Tahlia Street and in the north. Best souvenirs: Oud and perfume oils, Taif rose water and oil and Dates.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 4
- Markets
- 2
- Top souvenir
- Oud and perfume oils
Where to shop
Al-Balad souqs
Souq Al Alawi and the lanes around it for spices, perfume, oud, prayer beads and textiles.
Tahlia Street
Fashion boutiques, international brands and cafés along Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Street.
Red Sea Mall
A large mall in the north of the city with international brands, a food court and entertainment.
Mall of Arabia
Another major mall in the north of the city, popular with families.
Markets
Bab Makkah souq
Busy market by the old eastern gate for dates, spices and everyday goods.
Central fish market
The morning seafood market near the old port, worth visiting even if you only watch.
What to buy
Oud and perfume oils
Agarwood, rose and musk oils blended to order in Al-Balad's perfume shops.
Taif rose water and oil
Distilled from roses grown in the mountains near Taif, sold in small bottles.
Dates
Gift boxes of Ajwa, Sukkari and other varieties from specialist shops.
Prayer beads
Misbaha strings in wood, stone or amber, sold throughout the souqs.
Spices and coffee blends
Cardamom-and-saffron Saudi coffee blends and Hijazi spice mixes from souq stalls.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Market · Al-Balad
Souq Al Alawi
The main souq street of Al-Balad threads through the old town past stalls of spices, perfumes, oud, prayer beads, fabrics and Hijazi sweets.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Free
- After dark
Landmark · Al-Balad
Bab Makkah and its souq
The restored eastern gate of the old city wall, facing the road to Makkah, was the entry point for pilgrims arriving by land.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Shopping
- Free
Market · Al-Balad
Central fish market
Near the old port on the edge of Al-Balad, Jeddah's main fish market sells the morning's Red Sea catch: hamour, red snapper, kingfish, shrimp and crab.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Street · Al Rawdah and Tahlia
Tahlia Street
Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Street, known as Tahlia Street, is Jeddah's main upscale shopping and dining street, lined with fashion boutiques, malls, cafés and restaurants that stay busy late into the night.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Shopping
- After dark
- Food
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Sobia and Hijazi sweets. Juice shops and street stalls in Al-Balad, most common during Ramadan. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Balad | $$ | Coral-stone houses, souqs and boutique stays in the UNESCO old town |
| Al Rawdah and Tahlia | $$$ | Malls, boutiques and restaurants around Tahlia Street |
| Al Zahra and Prince Sultan Road | $$ | Residential north-central district with a long restaurant strip |
| Al Shati | $$$$ | Upscale seafront with the Waterfront, marinas and the floating mosque |
| North Obhur | $$$ | Beach resorts, dive centres and private beach clubs on Sharm Obhur |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in SAR. Tipping is not obligatory; about 10% in restaurants where no service charge is added, and small tips for porters and drivers, are appreciated.
- Cards and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere; keep a little cash for souq stalls.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in May–September; the busiest months are the peak holidays.
- December: Red Sea International Film Festival — screenings and events, held in Al-Balad in recent editions (usually December)
Staying near the shops
$$$ · Best for shopping, food lovers and nightlife
Al Rawdah and Tahlia
Malls, boutiques and restaurants around Tahlia Street
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Jeddah?
Oud and perfume oils, Taif rose water and oil, Dates and Prayer beads.
+Where is the best shopping in Jeddah?
Al-Balad souqs: Souq Al Alawi and the lanes around it for spices, perfume, oud, prayer beads and textiles.
+What are the best markets in Jeddah?
Bab Makkah souq and Central fish market.