Jeddah is an energetic harbour city on the Red Sea coast that offers both a historical and forward-looking face. Jeddah is located on the Red Sea coast in the Hajaz region of Saudi Arabia. It is the country’s second largest city and its main commercial centre.
Explore the centuries-old wooden windows and narrow streets of the UNESCO-protected Al-Balad district and watch the rise of Jeddah Tower, one of the most ambitious projects of modern architecture.
King Fahd, the world’s tallest water fountain, is quite dazzling. This water fountain is exactly 312 metres high.
You can dive and snorkel in the cool waters of the Red Sea. Here you can see coral reefs and colourful fish. It almost never rains here throughout the year.
You can visit Jeddah at any time of the year, but in summer it gets really hot here. As someone who does not like the heat, it is very difficult for me.
Jeddah Historical and Cultural Attractions
Al-Balad (Historic Jeddah): This is a harbour area dating from the 7th century. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its masonry coral stone houses and traditional ‘Roshan’ wooden windows. By visiting here, you can closely observe the trade, culture and faith of the period.
Bayt Nasseef (Darah Al Nassif): It is a magnificent 106-room building built between 1872-1881 using Neem wood. Today, this building is used as a museum and cultural centre. Historical documents and photographs are exhibited in this house, which bears traces of the architecture of Hujjat al-Islam.
Beit Jokhdar: It is a historic mansion restored under the roof of Al-Balad Hospitality. You can experience the luxury accommodation of the period in this boutique hotel consisting of nine suites and rooms. With its wooden beams, stucco work, colourful glass panels and arched vaults, this is a true historic mansion.
Misk Historic Jeddah Initiative: Misk Historic Jeddah is an annual cultural festival. The history of Al-Balad is revitalised through young Saudi artists and restoration projects.
More than nine main sites await visitors, including the treasure hunt game ‘Kanz Al-Balad’, holographic theatre performances and the Misk Art Gallery.
The influx of tourists continues to increase due to the F1 and Red Sea Film Festival.
Jeddah Modern Buildings and Grand Architectures
Jeddah Tower: Jeddah Tower aims to be the tallest structure in the world with its neo-futuristic design and 1 km height. The construction, which was laid in 2013, paused in 2018.
In 2025, reconstruction activities started and it is expected to be completed in 2028. Designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill architectural office, the tower has innovative engineering solutions with its glass facade and reinforced concrete core structure.
Developed by JEC (Jeddah Economic Company), the project will house offices, hotels, residences, shopping and a world-famous observation deck. When completed, it will exceed Burj Khalifa by 180 metres.
King Fahd’s Fountain: King Fahd’s Fountain is the world’s tallest fountain, built between 1980 and 1983 and opened to the public in 1985, spouting seawater up to 312 metres.
The fountain is equipped with three powerful pumps that spray salt water at a speed of 375 km/h. Up to 625 litres of water are shot upwards per second. The columns of water are illuminated by 500 LED floodlights.
This iconic structure, which can be seen from every point along the Corniche on the Red Sea coast, has become the symbol of the Jeddah coast. If you visit here in the evening, the air will be cooler and you can watch the light shows.
Al-Rahmah Mosque (Floating Mosque): Al-Rahmah Mosque was opened in 1985. Built on a 2,400 m² masonry concrete platform, it is the first mosque that gives the feeling of floating on the sea.
It has an impressive appearance with its main dome, 52 external domes, 23 external porches and 56 windows designed in Islamic style.
King Abdullah Sports City: King Abdullah Sports City is a large-scale sports complex that broke ground in 2012 and opened on 1 May 2014. The Alinma Stadium (Jewel Stadium) has a capacity of 62,345 spectators.
In addition to the main football stadium, there are indoor sports halls with a capacity of 15,000, training pitches, tennis courts and a large indoor event space.
Major Saudi football clubs, including Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad, play their matches here. This stadium hosts international tournaments.
Jeddah Shopping and Gastronomy
Red Sea Mall: With an indoor area of 242,000 m², Red Sea Mall is the largest glass covered area in Saudi Arabia and features an indoor water fountain.
The mall includes the Danube market, a 12-screen VOX cinema and the Elaf Jeddah Hotel. The three-storey mall has international restaurant chains from Applebee’s to Nando’s and more than 400 shops. Red Sea Mall is on King Abdulaziz Road and is very close to the airport.
Souk Al-Alawi: Dating back to 1716, Souk Al-Alawi is a bustling bazaar with 14 entrances covering 7,000 square metres in the heart of Historic Jeddah.
It sells spices, antiques, handcrafted jewellery and local textiles. Here you can experience the atmosphere of the Al-Balad area with its narrow streets, stony ground and historical buildings around it.
Tahlia Street (Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Street): Tahlia Street is Jeddah’s most prestigious shopping route, stretching between powdered pavements and palm trees, home to boutiques of world brands from Prada to Gucci, Chanel to Louis Vuitton.
Saedi Fish: Known for its location overlooking the Red Sea, Saedi Fish prepares fresh products such as piece fish, lobster, shrimp and mussels with classic recipes. Here, you can have an unforgettable dinner with a view of the Corniche.
Shrimp Anatomy: Opened in 2017, this place gives its customers a fun experience by serving shrimps marinated in different sauces in a transparent bag. It is a shabby place and popular among young people.
MYAZU: MYAZU is an upscale restaurant serving Japanese cuisine in a luxurious atmosphere with its branch in Al Basateen Mall. Its sushi and seafood dishes have been included in The World’s 50 Best lists.
Kabsa: It is the national dish where long grain basmati rice is cooked in a pot with broth and spices and served with chicken or lamb pieces. This dish also contains spices such as cloves, cardamom and loomi.
Mandi: It is an aromatic dish cooked traditionally on an earthen stove (taboon), with the juices of the meat strained into rice. The Yemeni version is more flavourful.
Hummus & Falafel: These appetisers, which can be found at every point from street stalls to fine-dining restaurants, are prepared with ingredients such as chickpeas, tahini and sesame oil. You can find this appetiser everywhere in Jeddah.
Jeddah Natural Beauties and Outdoor Activities
Corniche Promenade: Corniche Promenade is a walking, jogging and cycling promenade along the west coast of Jeddah for 11 kilometres, lined with palm trees.
You can relax during your walk in the parks along the coast. The Promenade’s most iconic landmark, King Fahd’s 312-metre fountain, creates a mesmerising atmosphere with its illuminated water shows in the evening.
You can also take a scenic break with local seafood and cold drinks at the cafes along the beach.
Seven Sisters Reef: It is a magnificent diving area consisting of coral islets located about 15-20 km off the port of Jeddah. Surrounded by shallow rocks, this reef is ideal for underwater photographers and advanced divers.
Coral Gardens: 15-20 metres deep. This is an excellent choice for divers who want to explore the coral gardens close to the water surface.
The site, which can be reached by boats organising snorkelling tours, has flat surfaces suitable for beginners.
Here you can observe soft and hard corals, as well as sea turtles, colourful starfish and small sharks.
Obhur North Beach: It is a public beach located in the north of Jeddah. You can find flyboarding, jet ski and canoe rental options at the water sports centres along the beach. Daily boat trips are a popular choice for romantic dinners
Al Shallal Theme Park: This park is located on the Jeddah Corniche with an area of 60,000 m². Approximately 1 million visitors visit this park annually.
The park has 16 different attractions, 2 roller coasters, water slides, go-karts, ice skating rink and children’s playgrounds. The Minecraft-themed entertainment area, cinema halls and various cafes-restaurants promise an unforgettable day for all age groups.
Fakieh Aquarium: This aquarium is the first and only public marine aquarium in Saudi Arabia.
Here you can see up close sharks, rays, sea horses and tropical fish, as well as giant sand sharks named ‘Shakira and Pique’. The aquarium has 5 exhibition galleries, interactive touch pools and special tours offering night diving experiences.
What kind of weather does Jeddah have?
Jeddah has a hot desert climate. The average annual temperature is 28.1 °C and the annual rainfall is only 79 mm. In summer, daytime temperatures exceed 40 °C.
In winter, daytime temperatures are between 15-28 °C with a mild climate. Humidity rises to 67%, especially in September. The sky is usually clear and sunny throughout the year.
Precipitation is mostly observed in the winter months. Between December and February there are short, intense showers of 4-11 days on average per month. Humidity in this arid climate averages 60%.
The region is generally under the influence of northeast winds. Dust storms are frequent between February and June.
Why You Should Visit Jeddah?
Jeddah is a unique destination on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, blending both history and modernism. Its historic district such as Al-Balad, a UNESCO world heritage site, fascinates travellers with its rich cultural texture and boutique hotels.
On the other hand, neo-futuristic projects such as Jeddah Tower also fascinate visitors. Al-Balad is Jeddah’s historic harbour area dating back to the 7th century and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.
The neighbourhood’s masonry coral stone houses, wooden ‘Roshan’ windows and narrow streets reveal Saudi Arabia’s history of trade and pilgrimage.
Water sports on the Corniche and diving in the Seven Sisters reefs offer unique experiences for nature lovers. The city caters to all tastes with its extensive gastronomy ranging from street food to fine-dining restaurants.
Itinerary My Personal Recommendation
Start at Bab Jadid Gate: Reach Bab Jadid, one of the main entrance gates of Al-Balad, early in the morning and explore the narrow streets before the crowds.
Visit Bayt Nasseef Museum: In the shade of a neem tree, this historic mansion houses the artefacts of Mujjtahid al-Islam and a collection of books from the period.
Discover Roshan Houses with Windows: As you walk through the narrow streets, notice the colourful wooden window details on the masonry coral stone facades.
Coffee Break at Beit Jokhdar: Examine examples of renovation over traditional Hijazi coffee and take in the view of Al-Balad from the terrace.
Closing: After the Red Sea Film Festival or the F1, enjoy street concerts and squares with fountains.
This route will allow you to experience both the ancient fabric of Al-Balad and its current cultural vibrancy.
Transportation Options from Sphinx Airport to Jeddah
In this article, I have detailed the transportation options from Sphinx International Airport in Giza, Egypt to King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Direct flights are operated by Flynas every day of the week. Ticket prices start from 76 USD one way. Alternatively, you can also choose connecting flights to Dubai (DXB), Sharjah (SHJ) or Muscat.
Direct Flights
Flynas operates regular flights on the Sphinx-Jeddah route every day of the week. There are a total of nine direct flights per week. The flights usually start at 12:55 in the morning and continue until 16:10 in the afternoon. The average direct flight duration is 2 hours 20 minutes. Jeddah is located in the UTC+3 zone, while Giza is located in the UTC+2 zone. Pay attention to the time difference.
Ticket Prices and Booking Tips
One Way: The lowest one-way ticket price is 70-90 USD.
Roundtrip: Round-trip ticket prices average 170-200 USD.
You can buy your ticket at more affordable prices with early booking.
Alternatively, you can transfer from Sphinx Airport to Cairo Airport and go to Jeddah from here. There are approximately 199 direct flights per week between Cairo International Airport (CAI) and King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah. There are about 28 flights during the day.
Airline companies such as EgyptAir, Saudia, flynas, Air Arabia Egypt, Flyadeal, Air Cairo, Nesma Airlines and Nile Air serve this route. Flights usually take 2 hours 10 minutes and 2 hours 25 minutes.
One-way tickets are 66-76 USD in the low season, while round-trip flights are approximately 140-175 USD. To catch the best prices, you should book your ticket at least 3-5 months before your trip.