Things to do · Jeddah · Saudi Arabia
14 best things to do in Jeddah
14 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
_(50703484406).jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
The essential sights in Jeddah are Al-Balad (Historic Jeddah), Nasseef House and King Fahd's Fountain. Of the 14 picks below, 7 are free, 2 work on a rainy day and 3 suit children. Allow about 3 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Al-Balad (Historic Jeddah)
- Free sights
- 7
- Good on a rainy day
- Fakieh Aquarium
- Time to see the highlights
- 3 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Balad (Historic Jeddah) | Al-Balad | Half a day | Free |
| Nasseef House | Al-Balad | 45 minutes | Low cost |
| King Fahd's Fountain | Al Hamra and the Corniche | 30 minutes | Free |
| Souq Al Alawi | Al-Balad | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Bab Makkah and its souq | Al-Balad | 45 minutes | Free |
| Jeddah Corniche and open-air sculptures | Al Hamra and the Corniche | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Jeddah Waterfront | Al Shati | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Al-Rahmah Mosque | Al Shati | 30 minutes | Free |
| Fakieh Aquarium | Al Shati | 1.5 hours | Mid-priced |
| Hayy Jameel | Al Rawdah and Tahlia | 1–2 hours | Low cost |
| Snorkelling and diving at Obhur | North Obhur | Half a day | Expensive |
| Central fish market | Al-Balad | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Jeddah Yacht Club and marina | Al Shati | 1–2 hours | Expensive |
| Tahlia Street | Al Rawdah and Tahlia | 1–2 hours | Low cost |
The 14 best things to do
_architecture_3_Feb_2022.jpg){kind=link}
Historic site · Al-Balad
1.Al-Balad (Historic Jeddah)
Jeddah's old walled town, inscribed by UNESCO in 2014 as 'Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah', is a maze of lanes lined with tower houses built from Red Sea coral stone. Their carved wooden rawasheen bay windows kept interiors shaded and ventilated. Restoration has accelerated in recent years, and many houses now hold galleries, cafés and small museums.
Walk in the late afternoon and stay into the evening, when the souqs fill and the restored houses are lit.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Free
- Photo spot
- After dark
Historic site · Al-Balad
2.Nasseef House
Built in the late 19th century for the merchant Omar Nasseef, this tall coral-stone house is one of Al-Balad's grandest. King Abdulaziz stayed here after entering Jeddah in 1925. Inside, a wide staircase built so camels could carry goods upstairs leads to restored rooms and exhibitions on Hijazi life.
Look up at the rawasheen on the facade from the small square in front, then visit the upper floors for views over the rooftops.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Iconic
Landmark · Al Hamra and the Corniche
3.King Fahd's Fountain
Built in the 1980s just off the central Corniche, this fountain shoots a jet of seawater up to about 300 metres, among the highest in the world. Floodlit after dark, it is visible across much of the city.
Watch it from the Corniche promenade in Al Hamra after sunset, when it is lit and the sea breeze cools the air.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
- Free
- Views
- Kids
Market · Al-Balad
4.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. Side lanes lead to small mosques and coral-stone houses, and the souq is liveliest after the evening prayer.
Buy a small bag of Hijazi sweets or balila from a street vendor and wander the side lanes off the main souq.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Free
- After dark
Landmark · Al-Balad
5.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. The surrounding souq sells dates, spices, household goods and inexpensive clothing, and is one of the busiest markets in the city.
Combine it with Souq Al Alawi; the two souqs connect through the old town on foot.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Shopping
- Free
Waterfront · Al Hamra and the Corniche
6.Jeddah Corniche and open-air sculptures
The seafront road and promenades stretch for about 30 km along the Red Sea. Along the central sections stand large public sculptures collected from the 1970s onwards, including pieces by Henry Moore and Joan Miró, many now grouped in an open-air sculpture museum.
Walk or cycle a section at sunset; the central Corniche near the sculpture museum is the most interesting stretch.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Outdoors
- Couples
Waterfront · Al Shati
7.Jeddah Waterfront
The redeveloped northern section of the Corniche has landscaped lawns, walking and cycling paths, children's play areas, fishing piers and public beaches. On cool evenings it fills with families picnicking and walking by the sea.
Bring a picnic and stay for the evening; weekdays are calmer than Thursday and Friday nights.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- After dark
.jpg){kind=link}
Religious site · Al Shati
8.Al-Rahmah Mosque
Completed in 1985, this white mosque stands on pillars over the sea on the northern Corniche, so at high tide it appears to float. Its domes and minaret are one of the most photographed sights on the waterfront.
Photograph it from the shore at sunset; if you go inside, dress modestly and avoid prayer times.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Free
- Photo spot
- Views
Aquarium · Al Shati
1.Fakieh Aquarium
On the Corniche, this aquarium displays Red Sea marine life including sharks, rays, moray eels and reef fish in a series of tanks and tunnels. It is a popular indoor stop with children during the hottest part of the day.
Visit at midday to escape the heat, then head to the Waterfront for the evening.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Gallery · Al Rawdah and Tahlia
2.Hayy Jameel
Opened in 2021 by the Art Jameel foundation, this arts complex has galleries for contemporary art, Hayy Cinema for independent and Arab film, artists' studios, a library and cafés. Exhibitions change through the year.
Check the programme before visiting and pair it with a film screening or a talk.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Experience · North Obhur
3.Snorkelling and diving at Obhur
North of the city, dive centres and beach clubs around Sharm Obhur run boat trips to nearby coral reefs, drop-offs and wrecks in clear Red Sea water. Snorkellers can see reef fish, corals and sometimes turtles close to shore.
Go between October and May, when the sea is warm but the air is less humid; bring reef shoes for rocky entries.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Book ahead
- Book dives and boat trips with a licensed dive centre in advance.
- Active
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Couples
Market · Al-Balad
4.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. Nearby restaurants will grill or fry your purchase to order.
Go early in the morning for the auction and the freshest choice, then have your fish cooked for lunch.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Waterfront · Al Shati
5.Jeddah Yacht Club and marina
On the northern Corniche next to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the yacht club area has marina berths, waterside restaurants and lounges and promenades with views back to the city. It hosts events during the Grand Prix weekend and the Jeddah Season.
Come for dinner at sunset and a walk along the marina promenade.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Couples
- After dark
- Food
- Views
Street · Al Rawdah and Tahlia
6.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.
Visit in the evening, when the street is busiest and the temperature is lower.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Shopping
- After dark
- Food
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Art and museums | Jeddah Corniche and open-air sculptures and Hayy Jameel |
| History | Al-Balad (Historic Jeddah), Nasseef House and Bab Makkah and its souq |
| Views | King Fahd's Fountain, Al-Rahmah Mosque and Jeddah Yacht Club and marina |
| Outdoors and nature | Jeddah Corniche and open-air sculptures, Jeddah Waterfront, Fakieh Aquarium and Snorkelling and diving at Obhur |
| Food and markets | Souq Al Alawi, Central fish market, Jeddah Yacht Club and marina and Tahlia Street |
| After dark | Al-Balad (Historic Jeddah), Souq Al Alawi, King Fahd's Fountain and Jeddah Waterfront |
| With children | King Fahd's Fountain, Jeddah Waterfront and Fakieh Aquarium |
| On a rainy day | Fakieh Aquarium and Hayy Jameel |
What to book ahead
- Snorkelling and diving at Obhur: Book dives and boat trips with a licensed dive centre in advance.
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Jeddah?
Al-Balad (Historic Jeddah). Jeddah's old walled town, inscribed by UNESCO in 2014 as 'Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah', is a maze of lanes lined with tower houses built from Red Sea coral stone.
+What can you do for free in Jeddah?
Al-Balad (Historic Jeddah), King Fahd's Fountain, Souq Al Alawi, Bab Makkah and its souq and Jeddah Corniche and open-air sculptures. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Jeddah when it rains?
Head indoors to Fakieh Aquarium and Hayy Jameel.
+What is there to do in Jeddah at night?
Al-Balad (Historic Jeddah), Souq Al Alawi, King Fahd's Fountain and Jeddah Waterfront are best after dark.