Exploring the Middle East? One of the best destinations in Saudi Arabia is Jeddah, its second-largest city and considered as the country’s economic and tourism center. Thousands, if not millions, of tourists visit the city each year. Jeddah is the largest port city by the Red Sea and is dubbed the Bride of the Red Sea.

There is a saying in Arabic that goes Jeddah ghair, which when translated means “Jeddah is different.” Indeed, travelers are often left in awe at the city’s unique mix of culture, history, and modern luxuries. As the gateway to two of Islam’s most holy sites: Meccah and Medina, Jeddah is no stranger to welcoming visitors in its walls as it hosts pilgrims on their way to the holy sites for centuries.

For travelers exploring the Middle East, Jeddah is a must-go-to destination to experience a mix of beautiful ancient past and a modern progressive city.

►FIND THE CHEAPEST FLIGHT TO JEDDAH

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO JEDDAH

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Due to its geographic location, Jeddah can reach soaring heat during the summer. The best time to visit Jeddah is from November to March when the temperatures are cooler at 65-85℉ or 18-29℃.

►SEE: SINGAPORE TO MOROCCO VIA JEDDAH

HOW TO GET AROUND JEDDAH

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Want to explore Jeddah like a local? If you’re not pressed for time, Jeddah has a public transport system made mainly of public buses. Operated by the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO), the buses have connecting routes to different parts of Jeddah and to other cities. Expect the buses to be available from 5:30AM to 11:30PM.

If you don’t have the time or the patience to explore the city using its public buses, it’s best to hail a taxi. To avoid spending a lot on taxi fares, it’s best to negotiate a fixed rate with the driver in advance instead of going for the meter method.

Make sure to only use the services of officially recognized taxis, the ones with the sign TAXI. This can help travelers avoid trouble with local authorities.

If all else fails, most hotels in Jeddah provide water taxis or minivans for their guests to get to different parts of the city. This is a fairly inexpensive method to get around Jeddah if your hotel offers this kind of service.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN JEDDAH

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► Go Back In Time By Exploring Al Balad

Dating back to the 7th century, Al Balad is Jeddah’s oldest neighborhood with the oldest buildings being 500 years old. Al Balad used to be Jeddah’s city center, often known as the old town. Today, it is listed as one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites and serves as a cultural hot spot for the city.

Visitors will be transported back in time with Al Balads’ mostly unchanged traditional buildings still standing and preserved, ancient winding narrow alleyways, open-air markets, mosques, and many ancient landmarks.

► Experience Thrills At Jeddah’s Theme Parks

There are three theme parks in Jeddah that offer thrilling and exciting rides for visitors and families. First is All Shallal Theme Park, also known as Fakieh Poultry Farm, a popular theme park visited by locals from all over the country. The theme park features rides for thrill-seekers and children. Other than rides, they also have arcade games and a skating rink. Visitors can go shopping or eat at its many food stalls and two restaurants.

The second is Atallah Happy Land Park at Corniche Road. Other than its many thrilling rides, the park also features video games, an ice skating rink, a musical fountain, bowling, and rock climbing.

Lastly, Jeddah is home to Mersal Village, also known as Jungle Land Theme Park. Located at the city’s northeastern edge, Mersal Village features a variety of amusement park rides, live lion shows, and circus performances.

► Admire The Architecture Or Worship At Al Rahma Mosque

Al Rahma Mosque, also known as the Floating Mosque, is an unmistakable symbol of Jeddah. Built in 1985, the mosque is built on top of the sea supported by pillars at the edge of Corniche. During high tide, Al Rahma Mosque appears like it's floating on the water. It's a specially beautiful sight during sunrise and sunset.

The mosque’s white marble, turquoise dome, and traditional Islamic scripture on its windows make it one of the most beautiful mosques in the country.

► Get A taste Of The Diverse Cuisine Of Jeddah

The diversity of cuisine in Jeddah can often surprise travelers with its many international restaurants and food spots.

Jeddah has no shortage of restaurants, cafes, and food stalls to choose from. Corniche Road has plenty of restaurants that offer delicious seafood, something entirely unique to Jeddah in a country that is mostly desert. Internal restaurants and cafes are in Tahlia St. in midtown. For a quick snack, food stalls offering shawarma and falafel are around every corner.

► Shop For Souvenirs At Jedda’s Souks

One of the best ways to experience Jeddah’s culture is to go shopping at one of its Souks or Arabic traditional markets. You can find everything in souks like Souk Shatee and Souq Al Alawi, one of the oldest marketplaces in Jeddah.

Unlike in malls and modern marketplaces, visitors will have the opportunity to bargain. They can also find traditional Arabic goods, spices, clothes, and jewelry. Just name it and you can find it at Jeddah’s souks.

► Be In Awe At King Fahd’s Fountain

One of the more modern attractions in Jeddah is King Fahd’s Fountain, launched in 1985. Also known as Jeddah Fountain, King Fahd’s Fountain is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest fountain in the world with its fountain jets reaching a maximum height of 260 meters or 853 feet.

The best time to view the fountain is at night when the water traveling through the air is illuminated by hundreds of lights, making for an awe-inspiring sight.

► Go Shopping At Jeddah’s Malls

Travelers won’t find a lack of shopping malls in Jeddah. The city is home to more than 25 shopping malls from luxury to more modest establishments. Food courts, theaters, international stores, arcades, supermarkets, and restaurants are all present in Jeddah’s many malls. Notable and must-go-to malls in Jeddah are the Red Sea Mall at Corniche Road and Mall of Arabia.

What are you waiting for? Jeddah is one of the top destinations to travel to in the Middle East, be it for pilgrimage, business, or leisure. If you’re traveling from Kuwait to Jeddah, tickets are available now.

 

~ CONTRIBUTED BY KARLA RAMOS, PHOTOS FROM WIKI COMMONS