9 Impressive Things to Do in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for First-Timers

9 Best Things to Do in Jeddah

The first thing I recommend you do in Jeddah is to visit the historic Old Jeddah, the oldest part of the city, steeped in history dating all the way back to the 7th century.

Back in the day, Jeddah was one of the most prosperous trade hubs in the region, owing to its strategic location on the coast of the Red Sea and its proximity to Mecca, the most sacred city in Islam.

Jeddah greatly benefited as ships laden with massive crowds of pilgrims descended upon its port, making their pilgrimage to Mecca every year for centuries.

With such a diverse array of people from various cultures converging in one place, you can truly witness how it has shaped the city even now, with the incredibly unique architecture of Old Jeddah, which draws inspiration from across different cultures.

Now, the place is a UNESCO Heritage Site where you can travel back in time and see what Jeddah was like in its heyday as you stroll along its crisscrossing streets and alleyways. It is one of the most beautiful old towns I’ve seen in Saudi Arabia, and it is not to be missed.

While you are here, you will be surrounded by some of the most photogenic buildings in Jeddah. Some are undergoing renovation, while others remain relatively untouched with overgrown tree branches, chipped paint, and all. Not everything needs to be completely renovated, in my opinion.

There are several parking lots around the old town, but almost all of them are now paid. I found this parking lot to be the most convenient, with easy access to the old town. It was also reasonably priced. I believe we paid about 5 SAR for 3 hours via credit card on its website.

There are a ton of things to see in Old Jeddah, so much so that I wish I could stay even longer than 3 hours. The place is relatively quiet in the morning, but like most places in Saudi Arabia, it becomes extremely lively after sundown, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly.

2. Stroll Around Herbalists Lane 💎 Hidden Gem

I happened to stumble upon Herbalists Lane by accident as I was exploring Old Jeddah, and I completely fell in love with it instantly. It is a small narrow alleyway among the maze of Old Town Jeddah, but what makes this different is the whole vibe of it.

In most areas of Old Jeddah, it feels like you are stepping back in time, but the moment you enter Herbalists Lane, you’ll find yourself in this calm and peaceful place, almost like being in a friendly neighborhood.

With trees covering much of the street and lined with art galleries and creative workshops, it seems like they are aiming to make this area the creative center of Old Jeddah, and I’m completely on board with that.

This is truly the hidden gem of Old Jeddah, and if you are looking for a nice and quiet place to hide from the bustle and hustle of the Old Town, be sure to check out Herbalists Lane.

3. Enjoy Arabic Coffee at Roshan Cafe in Baeshen House

If you’re looking for a nice and quiet place to enjoy a cup of coffee in Old Jeddah, I highly recommend checking out Roshan Cafe inside Baeshen House. Baeshen House is an old heritage building with a small museum that you can visit for free, but what’s really cool is Roshan Café that’s inside.

At Baeshen House’s cafe, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a cup of Arabic coffee inside the old heritage house filled with beautiful decor and old artifacts. It is the type of place you would imagine seeing dotted along the Silk Road, back in the day.

They offer both Arabic and Western coffee, along with pastries and cakes. Although the prices are quite high, the atmosphere alone makes it worth the money. We ordered Arabic coffee, which came in a beautiful Arabic pot with a dish of dates on the side, and that was plenty enough.

4. Drop By Nassif House Museum

Another tourist attraction in Old Jeddah you shouldn’t miss is Nassif House Museum, a massive multi-floor historical house that has been converted into a museum and a cultural center where you can learn about the history of the place.

This 3-floor heritage building was built in the late 19th Century by the governor of Jeddah at the time. He used it as a royal residence, receiving guests until he converted it into a public library with over 16,000 books that everyone could read for free.

Sadly, all the books have been moved to another museum elsewhere, but inside, you will still see the rooms the way they used to be, with exhibitions dedicated to the local history here. The place is free to enter and it is open from 8 AM to 11 PM every day.

5. Visit Al Tayabat City Museum 🏛️ Best Museum

Al Tayabat City Museum is probably the best museum in Jeddah and one that must not be missed. First and foremost, the museum is housed in this impressive multi-complex structure that is unlike anything you have seen before.

The museum is housed in a complex that recreates the traditional Hijazi architecture, an architectural style that you can still see in Old Jeddah, with bay windows overlaid with intricate wooden lattice work and ornate coral masonry.

Within the museum premises, you will find a handful of narrow alleyways where you can walk around and admire the stunning exterior to your heart’s content. From the traditional wooden windows to the old wooden sky bridge, the place really reminded me of my time in Zanzibar, Tanzania, another coastal town that had been heavily influenced by Indian culture.

Once you are ready, you can enter the museum where you will find an impressive amount of in-depth exhibits, spread across 3 floors. The museum offers a living history lesson on the foundation of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Arabian Peninsula.

Each room is filled with artifacts from various cultures and countries, ranging from Japanese to European culture and more. In fact, they have an entire floor dedicated solely to Islamic heritage.

There is so much to see at Al Tayabat City Museum, and you can expect to spend about 2 hours admiring its incredible exterior as well as learning about the history of Jeddah and beyond.

The museum is open from 8 AM to 12 PM and again from 5 PM to 9 PM every day except on Fridays, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly. The entrance fee is 50 SAR per person, which might seem expensive, but the amount of content you get here is definitely worth the price tag, in my opinion.

6. Watch the Sunset at Jeddah Corniche

One of the best features of Jeddah, which other cities in Saudi Arabia don’t have, is its stunning Jeddah Corniche. It’s a 30 km long coastal recreational area that runs along the coast of the Red Sea. Since the corniche faces west, it’s also one of the best places to watch the sunset in Jeddah.

The part of Jeddah Corniche that I found the most interesting is Jeddah Promenade, which is a seaside walking path with a great view of the ocean and the sunset. Along the promenade, you will find all kinds of cafes and shops, as well as fun activities and carnival games you can enjoy.

At night, the entire promenade is lit up with colorful lights, which are quite a sight to see. The beach is also illuminated in blue, creating the impression of a bioluminescent beach, another reason why you should witness the sunset here.

When we were there, the F1 competition was in preparation and much of the corniche was closed off, but we found a free parking lot that is only a few minutes’ walk to Jeddah Promenade, so you can also park there. The promenade is also located right next to Al Rahmah Mosque, the floating mosque, which is where we will be heading next.

7. Check Out Al Rahmah Mosque, the Floating Mosque

Al Rahmah Mosque or the floating mosque is a mosque built on stilts back in 1985. It is marked by its bright white color and its turquoise dome and it is located right by Jeddah Promenade, making it easy to visit after you watch the sunset.

The mosque features a modern architectural style with a touch of traditional decor that paints quite a wonderful scene, especially when the sun shines directly on it during the golden hour.

It is also beautifully illuminated at night, together with the entire Jeddah promenade, so be sure to stay until nightfall. The mosque is open from 4 PM to 9 PM every day and it is free to enter.

Located south of Jeddah Promenade, in the central part of the city, you’ll find King Fahad’s Fountain, a massive fountain that jets water as high as 260 meters (853 ft). It is considered the highest fountain in the world.

The fountain water jets are so high, you can see them throughout the vicinity of Central Jeddah. Unfortunately, due to obstructions, you can’t see it from Jeddah Promenade, but you can drive to Middle Corniche Park or Al-Hamra Corniche and witness the fountain from there.

The fountain is really beautiful during sunset and at night, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly. You should find plenty of parking along the corniche here without any problems.

9. Visit Al-Wa’bah Crater ☀️ Great Day Trip

Last but not least, if you’re looking for an epic day trip from Jeddah, I highly recommend visiting Al-Wa’bah Crater, one of the most beautiful craters in Saudi Arabia, known for its incredible scenery and vista.

It’s definitely a refreshing change of scenery from the smooth sand dunes of the desert to the rugged terrain of the crater. It is a bit far, being situated almost 330 km away from Jeddah, so it is going to take you a day to get there and back.

If you are planning to drive from somewhere to Jeddah, like Medina or Riyadh, stopping at Al-Wa’bah Crater to break the trip is an excellent idea, since it is only a small detour from the main highways coming into Jeddah.

Once you arrive, you can spend a few hours exploring the crater along the rim walkway. They have built several pavilions along the bridge, so you should be able to enjoy the place at your own leisure.

The crater itself is an almost perfectly circular depression in the desert landscape, measuring about 2 kilometers in diameter and around 250 meters deep. It is believed to have been formed by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago, although its exact age is still a mystery to geologists.

The bottom of the crater is covered with white sodium phosphate crystals, which give it its unique look. Looking at it from above with my telephoto lens, it almost felt like I was photographing an alien planet. Some of the photos looked almost like the patterns of Jupiter, don’t you think?

People used to descend into the crater and camp there, but a local told me that some individuals died due to poisonous gas, so descending is now prohibited. Not sure how true this was, but most people who went down confirmed that going down is easy, but many people have difficulty climbing up due to how steep and slippery it is, so do not attempt to go down!

When we were there, there was only us and a group of German tourists who drove their massive campervan all the way from Germany to Saudi Arabia. They planned to drive all the way to Thailand and beyond, which I thought was pretty inspiring.

There’s nothing out here, so be sure to prepare some snacks and water for the drive. There is a visitor center and a toilet, but they were closed when I was there, so if you need to go to the toilet, be sure to stop at a gas station before approaching the crater.

If you do not want to drive yourself, you can also opt for an overnight tour and camp somewhere nearby. It is very expensive, though, and you will save more if you were to rent a car and drive here and back in one day.

Looking to rent a car in Saudi Arabia? Read this first:Renting a Car in Saudi Arabia: 19 Things to Know

What to Pack for Jeddah?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia:

Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.

Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.

Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi’s jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.

Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It’s lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.

Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker’s towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.

Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.

Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.

Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.

Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It’s a total game-changer.

Universal Adapter: You’ll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.

Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.

Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It’s large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it’s stylish as hell!

Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can’t go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Further Reading for Saudi Arabia

Looking for more information for your trip to Saudi Arabia? Here is a collection of articles about Saudi Arabia that you might find useful:

Planning a trip to Saudi Arabia? Here’s a perfect itinerary for you: 2 Weeks Saudi Arabia Itinerary.
Want to visit Saudi Arabia, but not sure where to go? Check out: 15 Best Places to Visit in Saudi Arabia.
Visiting Riyadh soon and wondering what there is to do there? Check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
AlUla is, hands down, one of the most beautiful places in Saudi Arabia and if you plan to visit there, you are going to need this guide: 10 Best Things to Do in AlUla, Saudi Arabia.
Want to rent a car and travel around Saudi Arabia? You might want to read this first: 19 Things To Know Before Renting a Car and Drive in Saudi Arabia.
Looking to explore more? How about dropping by the United Arab Emirates Travel Guide, Qatar, or Bahrain?
Looking for more travel guides for the Middle East? You can find more on my Middle East Travel Guide page.
For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.