Whether you're visiting Jeddah for religious reasons or to experience this fascinating part of the world for yourself, this cosmopolitan city on the Red Sea coast is well equipped to cater for the needs of travellers, having been a major port of call for pilgrims for more than 1,000 years.
Jeddah is the gateway to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, and millions of Muslim pilgrims pass through this coastal city each year. Religion plays an important role in many aspects of day-to-day life in Jeddah, but non-Muslim and non-religious visitors will find themselves just as well accommodated in this multi-ethnic city, which is regarded as the most open-minded part of Saudi Arabia and one of the easiest destinations to visit in the region, partly thanks to an abundance of cheap flight deals.
If you're interested in exploring the history of this remarkable city, you'll find many notable archaeological and architectural sites by heading to the old city Al-Balad, located south west of the modern city centre. Here, you can see coral stone houses and other traditional buildings, with some important heritage sites such as the Naseef House having been renovated as museums. Other notable museums include the archaeological and ethnological museum, municipal museum and arts heritage museum.
Al-Balad also contains the popular traditional market Souq al-Alawi, which can be the perfect place to buy mementos of your trip. Back in the modern city, travellers will find a range of designer shops and malls where you can buy familiar products at low prices, while some of the best restaurants and cafes can be found along the seafront of the Corniche. This is one of the city's most popular areas for tourists, easily reached from the city centre, and features some of the city's best known sights - including King Fahid Fountain, the tallest fountain in the world. When booking a hotel in Jeddah, look for one that's centrally located so that you can make the most of nearby attractions.
If this will be your first trip to Saudi Arabia or the Middle East in general, it's important to do your research before visiting, to make sure you don't unintentionally break the law or cause offence to local people. Despite being located in a predominantly desert country, Jeddah experiences more humid summers and milder winters than the rest of Saudi Arabia, thanks to its coastal location - but you will still need to prepare for high temperatures if you're thinking of visiting during the summer months of May to September.
Sean Burke writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
