By Ashwini Kolar
● 03 Aug 19
Destinations
Travel Tips
Jeddah, very popular for being the principal gateway for Mecca and Medina, offers a lot more to the world. It is the largest seaport on the Red Sea and has flourished as the commercial capital of Saudi Arabia. But are you wondering what does it offer a traveling soul? The answer is a lot more than you can imagine.
We have got you covered for the list of things you can do when in Jeddah.
Jeddah has earned a moniker of ‘The Mermaid of the Red Sea,’ and when you visit the Jeddah waterfront, you will fully realize why. A favorite spot for the tourists and residents alike, the waterfront comes alive with its new watersport activity parks, interactive water fountains, pristine beaches for male and female, restaurants, and food kiosks. The waterfront looks gorgeous even during the night-time when the bright lights add to splendid effects to its glory.
If you thought, only Dubai offers the superlatives; then you are in for a surprise. Jeddah is home to the tallest water fountain in the world. King Fahad Fountain, also known as the Jeddah Fountain, jets water to a height of 260 meters and is illuminated with 500 spotlights in the night. The magnificent fountain is visible throughout the vicinity of Jeddah.
Built on the edge of the Jeddah corniche, the Fatima Al-Zahra mosque is a beautiful combination of old and new Islamic art. The mosque has 52 domes and an additional central dome, 23 umbrellas with Quranic carvings, and 56 windows designed in Islamic style. During the high tide, the mosque seems to be floating on the seas, thus earning a nickname of a floating mosque.
Also known as Mecca Gate, Bab Makkah is the entrance to Islam holiest city of Makkah. The impressive three-arched wall is built with limestone coral and is a boundary of the haram area. Non-Muslims are not allowed beyond this gate. The street adjacent to the gate hosts an open-air market at night, which is a delight to the shopaholic in you.
This historic city-center of Jeddah, Al-Balad is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Balad translates to ‘the town’ and is home to 500-year-old buildings. Divided into four major districts Al-Mazloum neighborhood, Al-Sham neighborhood, Al-Yemen neighborhood, and Al-Bahr neighborhood, Al-Balad area transmits you to the yesteryear’s Jeddah.
Al-Shallal Theme Park is not like any other theme parks in the world owing to its envious location by the Red Sea. Visit the park to witness the stunning views of the Red Sea and the surrounding areas from the highest point of your ride. The park has human-made lakes and waterfalls along with roller coasters and other rides spread out between them.
The Municipality Museum is located in the Al-Balad region. The building that hosts the museum was built during the 20th century and was used as the British Legion’s headquarters until the mid-1930s. The museum exhibits artifacts relating to Jeddah’s history as well as a plethora of antiquities, from Islamic and pre-Islamic eras like furniture, handicrafts, and tools. The museum is undergoing a renovation and will reopen in 2020.
While in Jeddah, Al Baik fried chicken should be on your itinerary. For the locals and fans, Al Baik chicken is not just chicken, but it is an emotion. We recommend you to try the classic fried chicken paired with Al Baik’s special garlic sauce. Read more.
Know more about the favourite chicken of the Arab world
Jeddah is blessed with gorgeous deserts and exciting dunes. A desert safari to go bashing those dunes adds up to a perfect itinerary.
An ideal way to complete your trip would be to visit the beautiful souqs of Jeddah. An ideal place to buy products ranging from coffee, dates, perfumes, oud to traditional daggers. Come prepared to bargain and get the best price for the product of your choice.
While you explore the hidden gems of Saudi Arabia, don’t miss out on the capital city’s biggest gala Riyadh Season 2022. Know all about Riyadh Season’s events and purchase your tickets on our platform.
Ashwini Kolar
An effervescent and talkative soul, Ashwini dreams about visiting every nook and corner of the world. When she is not writing, she is all things food and is busy either hunting for a restaurant or a recipe to cook!
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