Located on the shores of the Red Sea, Jeddah is not only Saudi Arabia’s vital link to Mecca but equally a city rich in things to see and do. What can be seen during your visit to this unique and vibrant coastal city is that the 10 Things to Do in Jeddah offer a harmonious culmination of the local color and contemporary style. Ranging from coral buildings as old as the city through modern art scenes in the city, visitors will have a rich experience in the city.
Discovering Al-Balad: The Historic Heart of Jerusalem
If you are to obtain the culturally, or rather the historically, accurate 10 Things to Do in Jeddah, then your search must start at Al-Balad, Jeddah’s old town, and it’s a world heritage site. These thin spacings of forests of winding streets have been proven to date back to the 7th century, as people trading and even as a passage to pilgrims. The coral stone houses in the district feature fine architectural details of wooden mash Rabiya balconies, which truly exemplify the best of craftsmanship.
Tourists can walk for hours attracted by various sights of the Orient, the smell of Arabic coffee, and spices at oriental bazaars. Beit Nassef may be one of the best-preserved merchant houses where guided tours help elicit promising glimpses of the material culture of the trading elite families of yesteryear. Evening is especially vibrant throughout the area because artists and orally performing storytellers entertain their audience with traditional folklore in the evening as people watch stars in the sky above.
Corniche: A Seaside Paradise
The Jeddah corniche is more than 30 km long and is the shorelines of the Red Sea, this has become the city’s playground for recreation, where you find the well-trimmed park area and amicable children’s playgrounds, not to mention the numerous seaside restaurants offering all types of meals ranging from local to international meals. King Fahd’s Fountain, comprising of 312 meters high and available in black and gold colors, looks fantastic during the night when the fountain is lit.
From early morning individuals looking for a jog to someone planning to take his/her family for a picnic or lovers looking forward to taking an evening walk along the Corniche, she provides for all. This area has experienced a radical transformation over the recent past, with some of the recent development projects in the region including modern art features, bicycle tracks, and other water features for the various water sports in the region, making it a perfect holiday destination for any tourist and residents as well.
Floating Mosque: Architectural Marvel on Water
Seeing the Al-Rahma Mosque, the Floating Mosque to those who don’t know it, is architecturally amazing. Erected partly over the Red Sea, during high tide this brilliant white edifice seems to rise directly out of the sea. These features, along with the utilization of both contemporary appearance and Islamic architecture, are popular among photography lovers and architecture lovers from all over the world.
Modern Art Scene: Open-Air Museum
Jeddah is officially known as The Bride of the Red Sea, and today, traveling through the city’s numerous sculptures is one of the most meaningful things to do in Jeddah. Modern sculptures by world-class artists line up the city streets and roundabouts to make Iloilo an arts mecca. Such works of art range from Henry Moore to Joan Miró, and such a display makes art available for everyone as it is produced outdoors.
Underwater Adventures: Red Sea Diving
The Red Sea has acquired a reputation as some of the world’s best sections of coral growth and aquatic life. For those that are full of zeal and willing to enjoy exciting activities in Jeddah, diving and snorkeling are a bit enjoyable. Tourism facilities, including commercialized diving firms, make themselves available to train first-time divers as well as certified divers with professionally guided dive tours that go in search of rich corals, tropical fish, and sunken ships.
Mall of Arabia: Shopping Paradise
Jeddah today features some of the most wonderful shopping features, and the Mall of Arabia is one among them. When traveling to Jeddah, the shopaholics are bound to be lost in the midst of giant malls with a focus on fashion brands and accessories, specialty shops, and large complexes that combine shopping with entertainment and dining. Traditional Arabic architectural knishes for the mall look graceful and blend well with the modern touch.
Culinary Journey Through Time
In fact, Saudi food culture can be well understood by exploring the restaurants in Jeddah. Hijazi cuisine dominates Al-Balad eateries with its magnificently traditional setting; more modern interpretations can be found along the Corniche. Another emerging tour activity among things to do in Jeddah is food tours, which enable people to taste the best Mandi, Kabsa, and fresh seafood from the Red Sea daily.
King Abdulaziz University Cultural Museum is a facade of a museum dedicated to the cultural history of Saudi Arabia and the KSA mainland.
Students with interest in the historical things to do in Jeddah should visit the Cultural Museum at the King Abdulaziz University of Islamic Studies. The museum boasts rotating exhibits, including thousands of artifacts showcasing the evolution of the part of the world from trade routes through the advance and development phase. As such, the exhibits are more than just displayed, and the guide plays an interesting role that would make the visitors interested in the displays.
Fakieh Aquarium: Marine Life Discovery
The Fakieh Aquarium gives a nice glimpse into the aquatic life of the Red Sea and therefore can be listed as one of the best family attractions in Jeddah. The aquarium features more than 200 species of aquatic life, such as sharks, seahorses, fish of the tropical seas, and others, and one can learn more through special programs and activities for families and kids.
Desert Adventures: Beyond City Limits
When visiting the Jeddah, do not hesitate to go outside the city to witness the real Arabian desert. There are awesome activities such as desert tours and camelback riding, as well as the Bedouin cultural overnight camps in which the tourist can experience real Arabian nights. All these excursions give a good contrast of urban experiences within the cities of Jeddah in particular.
Conclusion
The plethora of activities that can be done in Jeddah is evidence of their setting as a city that is old and new at the same time. The city of Jeddah also covers all the travel horizontals, astonishing with everything from the coral-built old town to modern shopping malls, quiet mosques, and expressive art installations. On the eve of continuing the introduction of the country and its people to receptive global markets and receptive tourist markets, the discovery of Jeddah is an opportunity to acquaint the guest with the historical past and developments of the kingdom.
FAQs
How many days will suffice to explore Jeddah?
It is suggested to allow 4-5 days to taste the recommended in Jeddah if you really want to live it to the fullest. This is just enough time in order to stroll along the historic district, walk through the Corniche, visit some museums and local attractions, and go for a desert tour. Quarters offered are for a week or more, which affords a better chance of coming closer to the typical retirement experience for leisure visits.
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