With kids · Jeddah · Saudi Arabia
Jeddah with kids
Family-tested sights, a calm base and the practical details that make travelling with children easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Tahir mq, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Jeddah is a family city, with evenings spent on the Waterfront's lawns and playgrounds, at the fountain and in the malls. Children usually enjoy the aquarium, beach days at Obhur and the evening atmosphere of Al-Balad; the main challenge is the daytime heat and humidity. Top picks: Jeddah Waterfront, Fakieh Aquarium and King Fahd's Fountain. Families usually base themselves in Al Shati.
Key facts
- Family picks
- 4
- Best area for families
- Al Shati
- Rainy-day options
- 1
Best things to do with kids
Waterfront · Al Shati
1.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
Aquarium · Al Shati
2.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
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
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Historic site · Al-Balad
4.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
Rainy-day ideas
- Fakieh Aquarium — Visit at midday to escape the heat, then head to the Waterfront for the evening.
Where families should stay
$$$$ · Best for families, luxury, couples and beach
Al Shati
Al Shati covers the northern Corniche, with the landscaped Jeddah Waterfront, its public beaches and playgrounds, the Al-Rahmah Mosque on stilts over the sea and the yacht club area. Several of the city's luxury hotels are here, and it is the easiest base for families who want the seafront close by.
- Good
- Walk to the Waterfront and beaches; Modern seafront hotels; Calm residential streets
- Watch out
- Expensive; About 20–30 minutes by car to Al-Balad
- Nearby
- Jeddah Waterfront, Al-Rahmah Mosque, Jeddah Yacht Club
Family travel tips
- Plan beach and outdoor time for early morning or after sunset, even in winter.
- The Waterfront has free playgrounds and shaded lawns that fill with families in the evening.
- Beach clubs in Obhur have calmer water, lifeguards and facilities, suiting young swimmers better than public beaches.
- Carry water and sun protection; humidity makes the heat feel stronger than the thermometer suggests.
- Children are welcome in restaurants late into the evening.
Day trips for families
- Taif (About 2–3 hours by car) — At about 1,800 metres in the Sarawat mountains, Taif is noticeably cooler than Jeddah.
- Al Shafa (About 3 hours by car) — South of Taif, the mountain villages of Al Shafa sit above 2,000 metres among terraced fruit farms growing pomegranates, figs and grapes.
- King Abdullah Economic City (About 1 hour by high-speed train or 1 hour 30 minutes by car) — This planned city on the coast north of Jeddah has long sandy beaches, a waterfront promenade, golf and water sports.
When to go with children
The best months overall are November–March. Weather by month.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Jeddah good for kids?
Jeddah is a family city, with evenings spent on the Waterfront's lawns and playgrounds, at the fountain and in the malls. Children usually enjoy the aquarium, beach days at Obhur and the evening atmosphere of Al-Balad; the main challenge is the daytime heat and humidity.
+What can kids do in Jeddah?
Jeddah Waterfront, Fakieh Aquarium, King Fahd's Fountain and Al-Balad (Historic Jeddah).
+Where should families stay in Jeddah?
Al Shati: Upscale seafront with the Waterfront, marinas and the floating mosque.