Jeddah Hotels

Jeddah’s proximity to the two most venerable sites in Islam highlights the city’s inherent fascination. While indeed a Hajj gateway, Jeddah also pulsates with the energy of a cosmopolitan metropolis. More than any other city in the Kingdom, the local populace, both expat and native, hails from diverse backgrounds. From the colloquial Hejazi Arabic dialect to Al-Balad Old City, just about every aspect of Jeddah is singular. Exceptional points of interest for visitors to explore include the Red Sea Corniche (for obligatory photos of King Fahd’s Fountain), Durrant Al-Arus Tourist Village and extraordinary Jeddah Regional Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography. Suq al-Alawi unfurls a seductive array of traditional sweets, fragrant spices and goods such as furniture, crafts and textiles. Jeddah’s love affair with open-air sculpture however - with major works on display by masters like Joan Miró, Henry Moore and Viktor Vasarely - is one of the city’s most remarkable surprises.

Jeddah History

• Biet Nassif – The local government has preserved this ancient structure, which contains a flag mast over seven centuries old.
• Makkah Gate – The oldest city gate still in existence in Jeddah.
• Qishla of Jeddah – Built in 1525 by the Ottoman empire, it was meant to be a barracks.
• Eve’s Graveyard – Islamic tradition considers this location the site of the burial of the biblical Eve.
• Jeddah Fountain – This immense structure was built by the Saud family.

Jeddah Art & Culture

• Jeddah Regional Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography – Contains collections of artefacts from the Stone Age and more recent eras.
• Arts Heritage Museum – This is a private gallery devoted to contemporary art.
• Tayibat City Museum for International Civilization – More than 300 rooms contain an eclectic collection of local art and other wares.
• Al-Corniche – This popular, long stretch of seaside road features a number of modern open-air sculptures.
• Shallaby Museum of Traditional Handicrafts & Hejazi Heritage – Displays of traditional Bedouin trappings highlight this collection.

Jeddah Shopping

• The Red Sea Mall – A modern shopping centre with a food court and a small play area for kids.
• Balad – An open-air marketplace in the old section of Jeddah.
• Mall of Arabia – The coffee is excellent here and large windows offer fantastic views of the city.
• Gabel Street Souq – This specialized store offers a variety of goods, including local foods, perfume and the latest electronics.
• Rayhanat al-Jazirah Street – A great place to pick up local antiques.

Gay & Lesbian Jeddah

Saudi Arabia has strict and severe laws against homosexual acts, although Jeddah is one of the more modern and open cities in the kingdom. There are no outright, publicized gay spots in the city; however, undisclosed spots for cruising and meeting do exist.

• Park Hyatt Jeddah – This luxury hotel offers separate spas for ladies and gents.
• Al-Nakheel Restaurant – This restaurant styled like a tent offers local Jeddah dishes, with seafood as the specialty.
• Tahlia Street – Considered one of the best shopping streets in the area with some discreet meeting spots for men.
• Java Lounge – Relax over a coffee or shisha (hookah) at this popular spot.
• Durrat Al-Arus – This modern resort area about 40km from Jeddah centre is considered more relaxed and hosts DJ events.

Attractions

• Nassif House
• King Fahd's Fountain
• Jeddah Regional Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography
• Arts Heritage Museum
• Durrat Al-Arus Tourist Village

Activities

• Ittihad Football Club
• Suq al-Alawi
• Red Sea Corniche
• Sail Island Water Park
• Al-Shalal Theme Park

Restaurants

• Barrio Fiesta
• Bice
• Byblos
• Papaya
• Al Khayyam

Nightlife

Nightlife in Jeddah centres primarily on shisha cafés and traditional coffeeshops.

Climate

Jeddah has a desert, arid climate, with very hot temperatures throughout the year. Temperatures range from 18°C to 37°C for the year.