Historic Jeddah
★ 4.6🇸🇦 JeddahSuggested visit Half a dayBest season November to March, with more comfortable temperatures
World HeritageHistoric siteMarket
The coral-stone old town of the Red Sea gateway, its latticed balconies and spice markets recalling centuries of pilgrimage trade.
Overview
Historic Jeddah, or Al-Balad, stands on the Red Sea coast and joined the World Heritage List in 2014. Its multi-storey houses are built of coral stone, with the distinctive lattice balconies known as rawashin providing ventilation while screening the interior. Long the landing point for pilgrims heading to Mecca, it keeps its spice markets, old mosques and caravanserais, and the district has been extensively restored in recent years.
History
A key Red Sea port and pilgrimage gateway from the 7th century, an important Ottoman city in the 16th, and inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2014.
Highlights
- •The coral-stone houses and rawashin
- •The spice market and old souq
- •Historic mosques and caravanserais
- •The Red Sea corniche and King Fahd fountain
Practical tips
- •Some buildings are still under restoration — mind the works
- •Summers are extremely hot; go early or late
Practical information
- Best time
- November-March
- Tickets
- The old town is free; some museums charge
- Opening hours
- Old town open all day
- Local food
- Kabsa, grilled meat, Arabic coffee
- Getting around
- Jeddah has an international airport; about 30 minutes to the old town.
- Visa
- A visa is required, available as an e-visa or on arrival.
Traveller reviews
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