Luxury hotels in Jeddah

Jeddah guide

Jeddah: Al-Balad and the Red Sea

Coral-stone houses with wooden balconies, the world's tallest fountain and the Red Sea's reefs.

Al-Balad, the historic district of Jeddah and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the city's most cited sight: tall houses built of coral stone with carved wooden rawasheen balconies, and souks that come alive in the evening. Its restoration is bringing many houses back to life.

King Fahd's Fountain, among the tallest in the world, shoots water over the Red Sea, and the Corniche is lined with sculptures. Diving and snorkelling on the Red Sea's reefs are close to the city, and Jeddah is the gateway for pilgrims to Mecca.

The Corniche and King Fahd's Fountain

Jeddah's Corniche, about thirty kilometres along the Red Sea, is one of the city's most cited places, with promenades, open-air sculptures by international artists and King Fahd's Fountain, which shoots water more than 260 metres high and is lit at night.

The Al-Rahmah Mosque, known as the Floating Mosque because it stands on pillars over the water, is beautiful at sunset. Jeddah is also famous for its seafood restaurants and for the Red Sea International Film Festival in December.

Diving the Red Sea from Jeddah

The Red Sea off Jeddah has some of the least crowded coral reefs in the world, and diving or snorkelling from the city's marinas is one of its most cited experiences. Sites such as Abu Tair and the Chicken Wreck are within easy reach by boat.

Visibility often exceeds thirty metres, and reef sharks, turtles and dolphins are common. Dive centres offer courses for beginners and day trips for certified divers. The water is warm all year, with the most comfortable air temperatures from November to March.