Best Places to Explore in Jeddah
One of the best destinations for tourists looking for a trip in the Middle East is the country of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is the home of several ancient human civilizations and cultures along with being the birthplace of the Islamic Religion. Among the many amazing places in Saudi Arabia, the city of Jeddah is among its best locations for tourism.
This makes this country an excellent location for tourists to explore and immerse themselves in the history of human civilization.
Located in the province of Makkah, Jeddah is the largest city in the province and is full of shopping centres, historical and religious monuments, and beaches. So, keep reading to find out the 12 best places to explore in Jeddah.
The King Fahd's Fountain
A fountain opened to the public in 1985, this fountain is one of the most famous places to visit not only in Jeddah but the entirety of Saudi Arabia itself. Pushing the water to about 312 metres or 1024 feet, this fountain is the largest in the world.
This fountain is best enjoyed in the afternoon and night time, as then the spotlights surrounding it are lighted up which creates a spectacular view for the tourists to witness.
Durrat Al Aroos
This is a town situated in Jeddah which ranks as one of the best tourist destinations in Saudi Arabia. This place is home to some of the best restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes in Jeddah along with several parlours and shops for you to spend time in. The place is also full of hotels, golf clubs, theme parks, beaches, and even a yacht marina.
Tourists will find something to explore around every corner of this town, making it the perfect place for exploration.
Al-Saif Beach
Ranked by many as one of the best beaches in all of Saudi Arabia, the Al-Saif Beach in Jeddah is an excellent spot to travel with your family. The beach is well known for its sunset view and the beautiful scene of seawater waves touching the sandy beach. This amazing view makes it one of the best places in Jeddah to organize a family picnic.
You are also allowed to swim in the water around the beach which has made it one of the most popular beaches in the city of Jeddah.
Al Rahmah Mosque
Al Rahma Mosque is one of the most popular places in all of Saudi Arabia among tourists.
This mosque, also known as the floating mosque, attracts thousands of Islamic followers from all over the world due to its unique construction which includes the mosque being built on an underwater pillar which gives it the appearance of a mosque floating on the water surface.
Athr Gallery
For tourists looking to glance at some of the finest artwork that Jeddah has to offer, the Athr Gallery is a great place to visit. The Athr Gallery has museums and schools being built around it which hope to one day gain recognition on the global scale through the popularity of the Athr Gallery.
The gallery can be visited during the hours of 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Thursday and 9 am to 2 pm on Sundays.
Souq Shatee
When it comes to one of the best shopping destinations in Jeddah, Souq Shatee is one of the best. This place is filled with all kinds of shops ranging from local markets to showrooms of global brands. You will find all kinds of shops here including grocery shops, home decor, fashion, souvenirs, perfumes; etc. which makes this the perfect place to explore.
Al-Shallal Theme Park
Travelling with kids is a difficult task considering how quickly they get bored and how much fuss they can make on the journey. Luckily, if there is one thing that will keep kids happy and amused is a theme park. The Al Shallal Theme Park of Jeddah is a great choice for travelling with your family.
The park is filled with fun adventure rides and great restaurants which make it an ideal place to spend time with your family.
Al-Balad
Al-Balad is a neighbouring city of Jeddah filled with many surviving homes made in style of the traditional designs. The city is a great place to delve deeper into the culture of Saudi Arabia with markets and restaurants scattered around within city limits.
Other than these, the city also has the Nassif House Museum, Baleelah Lane, and Bab Jadid for tourists to explore and immerse themselves in.
Khuzam Palace
Khuzam Palace is the primary location for those interested in the history of Saudi Arabia. This palace holds historical significance in Arabic culture as it is the first palace that was built using cement and iron in the region.
Today, it houses various items once used by the royal family, several artefacts that are said to have been made during the Stone Age, and a collection of art that shows the culture of Saudi Arabia during this palace's construction. Tourists will learn a lot about the mediaeval culture of Saudi Arabia during their stay in Khuzam Palace.
Souq Al Alawi
Souq Al Alawi is a famous traditional street market that is highly recommended for tourism in Saudi Arabia. This place is popular for its artefacts and other craftsmanship made using the traditional ways of Saudi Arabia. Souq Al Alawi also has shops selling the famous dried organic hibiscus flower petals and hibiscus flower tea.
The market does not allow vehicles within its street to prevent crowding, which makes it a great place to explore without the hassle of a large crowd.
Bab Makkah
Bab Makkah is also known as the Makkah Gate and is one of the few marketplaces in Jeddah that preserve their traditional style. The market is filled with wooden carts and stalls along with small restaurants for tourists to rest and dine at.
Bab Makkah is crucial for preserving the old culture and history of Saudi Arabia.
Khalil Museum
Khalil Museum is one of the best tourist attractions in Jeddah. This museum has a large collection of cultural items and art that symbolise the House of Islamic Heritage, Saudi Arabian Heritage, House of the International Heritage, front of the citadel, and Public Heritage Exhibition. There are over 6000 exhibits inside the Khalil Museum.
The museum also has many of its rooms designed as tableau, which is how the rooms were designed in the old culture. Outside the main complex are multiple antique shops along with restaurants for you to rest and dine. The museum is also surrounded by buildings made in the traditional architectural style which creates the perfect traditional vibe of Saudi Arabia.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia is one of the best countries for a trip to the Middle East, with a very rich culture and many tourist attractions for you and your family to enjoy. Among them the city of Jeddah, located in the province of Makkah, stands out as one of its best tourist destinations.
Hopefully, the 12 places mentioned here in this article will provide you with the best experience during your stay in Saudi Arabia. Remember to explore the many markets scattered around the city and try to focus on travelling through the many villages of the city rather than the urban areas to fully enjoy the traditional culture of Saudi Arabia.
Check your eligibility for Online Saudi Visa and apply for Online Saudi Visa 3 days in advance of your flight. Norwegian citizens, Belgian citizens, French citizens, Danish citizens, Swiss citizens and United States citizens can apply online for Online Saudi Visa.