Jeddah is an important religious destination for more than one billion Muslims all over the world. A spiritual gateway to Mecca, Jeddah is a that will take you on a spiritual journey to better understand Islam and also enjoy a vacation. From the mosque to the waterfronts and some boutique cafes, there are many places to visit in Jeddah that make it among the top destinations on a traveler's list. The historic monuments, beaches, and cafes are the highlights you cannot miss exploring. Jeddah is undeniably counted as the best place where you can spend a relaxing vacation.
Top 8 Tourist Attractions in Jeddah that One Must Visit
Nested on the western coast of Saudi Arabia, Jeddah is a port city and the main gateway to Mecca. It is the second-largest and major urban center in Saudi Arabia. There are many historical and recreational places in Jeddah to explore while spending a memorable trip here. Let’s check the list to find out the best Jeddah places to visit.
- Jeddah Waterfront, Corniche
- Al Rahma Mosque
- Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum
- Mall of Arabia
- Khuzam Palace
- King Fahd’s Fountain
- South Obhur Beach
- Al-Balad
1. Jeddah Waterfront, Corniche
The Jeddah Waterfront is a site for leisure, entertainment, and architectural design. This is one of the famous places to go in Jeddah that features an open-air theater, children's play area, restaurants, and the Corniche promenade. It is the architecture of the place that makes it quite a place to spend the evening. The waterfront will feature a pedestrian walkway that connects to the historic areas of the city. You can stroll around, admire the sunset and even enjoy the local foods from the cafes nearby making it one of the best places to visit in Jeddah with family.
The waterfront is perched on one of the most striking and alluring parts of the Red Sea coast, letting you take in the refreshing vibes. It overlooks the magnificent view of the Great Mosque, which was constructed in 1987 in remembrance of King Abdulaziz Al-Saud - founder and first king of Saudi Arabia.
Location: Corniche Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
2. Al Rahma Mosque
For those who want to experience the spirituality of Saudi Arabia, Al Rahma Mosque is a perfect place to explore. Al Rahma Mosque is designed with a fusion of modern and ancient architecture and this attribute makes it a popular destination for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Boats are there for those who want to access the mosque, perched rightly on the coats of the red sea, on the edge of Jeddah Corniche. It is one of the best places to visit in Jeddah with family to understand the cultural beliefs and values of the place.
What makes the mosque different from others in the city is its traditional Islamic style and the features that make it appear to be floating on the sea. There are glass windows and striking art and motifs that make it an architectural wonder and the best thing to see in Jeddah. This place in Saudi is also a stopover for pilgrims on Hajj.
Location: Corniche Rd, Jeddah 23613
3. Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum
A new museum that showcases the rich Arabic heritage, Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum is known for some of its features like a section dedicated to Islamic history and traditions as well as an area for children where they can learn about science, technology, and creativity. The museum also includes artwork from artists such as Ibrahim Saad al-Man, Alwan al-Kaisi, and Fawzia Zarrab among others that makes it one of the best attractions in Jeddah.
The museum also has a section on archaeology in which you can see old documents related to Islam and historical maps of countries in the Middle East such as Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, and Algeria among others. Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum was established by H.E Saud bin Abdullah Al Saud in honor of his father and to preserve the wisdom and knowledge of the Gulf region making it to the list of top places to visit in Jeddah. It was inaugurated in 2017.
Location: Al Madani, Al Andalus, Jeddah 23326, Saudi Arabia
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4. Mall of Arabia
Shopping can be really fun and when you are in Jeddah, the Mall of Arabia is the best shopping spot in the city. This is the largest mall and the best tourist attraction in Jeddah to go on relaxing day. The mall is a family center for entertainment and amusement, with some of Saudi Arabia's top theme parks. Billy Beez and KidZania are just a couple of such examples.
From global retail chains to excellent local brands, the Mall of Arabia has it all. The mall offers the best food outlets with varied tastes and cuisines. The world-class culinary brands here provide the comfort and bliss you need. The place is just perfect to delight your sense of taste with some of Saudi Arabia's best cuisine, making it one of the top places to visit in Jeddah. These restaurants are sure to make your visit memorable, with excellent cuisine options and a welcoming atmosphere. Apart from that, the mall has a first-aid station, wheelchairs, a lost and found service, ATMs, and baby changing rooms.
Location: An Nuzhah, Jeddah, Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia
5. Khuzam Palace Museum
The Khuzam Palace Museum is one of Saudi Arabia's national museums and one of the best places to visit in Jeddah. It was built in the 1930s and served as the Jeddah residence for King Abdulaziz Al Saud, who is also known as "Ibn Saud." The museum first opened its doors to the public in 2007, making it the last museum established during his reign. The name Khuzam comes from the Arabic term Khuzam, which means "the reins by which a camel is led."
The design was conceived by architect Herbert Baker who blended traditional Arab architecture with European influences such as Moorish Revival architecture. The purpose of constructing the Palace was to form a military defense against the Badia camps that congregate there during specific seasons each year. This attraction in Jeddah is now a museum featuring an Islamic Hall and a Jeddah Hall.
Location: Al-Hofuf, Al-Naathil district
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6. King Fahd’s Fountain
King Fahd's Fountain is a 215-foot-tall fountain gifted by Saudi Arabia's King Fahd. There are two 50-foot jets and two 20-foot jets on board. Water is sprayed at a rate of almost 220 gallons per second every day at this iconic fountain. It was installed in 1987 and has been running continuously since. It is the incredible beauty of the fountain that makes it the best thing to see in Jeddah. It is a symbol of abundance and success. The Fountain, which overlooks the Red Sea and was erected to honor the late King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, is located on the 28-kilometer-long Corniche.
You can roam around this wonderful site as you explore the area. Get a glimpse of the water spewing jets at night, which are lighted by laser beams. To make your journey even more fun, there are luxury resorts and hotels such as Movenpick Hotel Jeddah or Sheraton Jeddah Hotel which are the best to stay on your honeymoon in Saudi Arabia.
Location: Jeddah Corniche
7. South Obhur Beach
South Obhur Beach is a beach on the Red Sea near the town and one of the most famous tourist places in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the most famous beaches in Saudi Arabia the world and is a popular tourist destination for locals and foreigners alike. The sand is pure white and the water is clear blue. There are many attractions to do while there including snorkeling, parasailing, or just relaxing on a beach chair with an iced coffee or soft drink. Entrances to the beach are free for residents of Jeddah and foreigners, but there is a charge of 200 Saudi Arabian Riyals for non-Saudis. The water temperature is moderate, warm during the winter, and cool in the summer.
This is an ideal place to visit in Jeddah with family where you can enjoy a day trying the best adventure and leisure activities. There are cafes and restaurants too for you to enjoy the holiday.
Location: East coast of Red Sea
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8. Al-Balad
Al-Balad is an old city of Jeddah where the historical buildings and houses are built upon by more contemporary buildings. This old downtown area of Jeddah is located right next to the Red Sea, and you can take a cruise around the port areas or randomly walk around the historical area. The Al Balad or ‘the city’ dates back to more than 500 years, and houses several museums, food outlets, and mosques.
The most famous part of this particular attraction in Jeddah is the traditional Al-Balad district. You can either stroll around or you can use local transport to explore this old city. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants within Al Balad that serve good food. Tourists belonging to different parts of the world can be found in the Saudi Cafes where they spend their time together with their families.
Location: Al-Urdon St. Amman Jordan
Jeddah is among the famous places you possibly cannot miss exploring in Saudi Arabia. The museums to mosques and beaches, malls, art galleries, etc., there are many places to visit in Jeddah to discover every highlight of the city. While some mosques may have restricted the footfall, allowing only the Muslims to enter, some might have open premises that can be explored by all to a relative area. The architecture and art of the city speak for its diversity and harmony.
If you are planning to visit Jeddah anytime sooner, the Saudi Arabia tour packages are best for witnessing every nook and corner of the place. Enjoy the food, and the entertainment and be amazed by the hospitality that makes it a perfect holiday spot in the world.
FAQs
The best things you can do in Saudi Arabia on your vacation are:
- Shop from the Souk
- Visit the city of Mekkah
- Enjoy a cruise on the Red Sea
- Explore the city of Jeddah
- Enjoy the local food.
The best places you can visit in Jeddah are:
- Jeddah Waterfront, Corniche
- Al Rahma Mosque
- Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum
- Mall of Arabia
- Khuzam Palace
The Khuzam Palace Museum is located in Jeddah and was built in the 1930s. It served as the Jeddah residence for King Abdulaziz Al Saud, who is also known as "Ibn Saud." The design was conceived by architect Herbert Baker who blended traditional Arab architecture with European influences such as Moorish Revival architecture.
Mall of Arabia is the best shopping place in Jeddah. There are top brands and famous local Saudi brands for you to shop from. The mall also has a first-aid station, wheelchairs, a lost and found service, ATMs, and baby changing rooms.
Yes, there are many beaches in Jeddah and among them South Obhur Beach is famous. This is an ideal family beach where you can enjoy a day trying the best adventure and leisure activities. There are cafes and restaurants too for you to enjoy the holiday.
The mosque is well-known for several reasons. The first is its classic Islamic style and architecture that makes the appearance of floating on the sea. It is an architectural marvel with glass windows and beautiful art and patterns. This mosque also serves as a stopover for Hajj pilgrims.
The 215-foot-tall King Fahd's Fountain was a gift from Saudi Arabia's King Fahd. There are two 50-foot jets and two 20-foot jets. Every day, water is sprayed at a rate of over 220 gallons per second at this famous fountain. It was installed in 1987 and has been constantly operational since.
Al-Balad is an old city of Jeddah dating back to 500 years where the historical buildings and houses are built upon more contemporary architecture. This old downtown area is located right next to the Red Sea, and you can take a cruise around the port areas or randomly walk around the city.
