Jeddah and The Hijaz

Jeddah, the ‘bride of the Red Sea’, has been a gateway for the annual Hajj pilgrimage for centuries. This buzzing hub of commerce and melting pot of people is one of the most liberal cities in Saudi Arabia and has a notably different tempo from the rest of the country. As the city’s motto proclaims: Jeddah is Different.

For Western visitors, the highlight of any visit to Jeddah is exploring Al Balad, the city’s old quarter founded in the 7th century. On entering this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you are immediately taken by Al Balad’s unique architecture of towering houses built of coral stone with their distinctive latticed rawsheen balconies. Then, winding your way through an evocative rabbit warren of narrow lanes, you’ll be immersed in history as you explore the incense-infused souqs, traditional houses, and antique mosques that include the Shafi Masjid – the oldest in Jeddah. There is nothing quite like it in Saudi Arabia!

Another historic Jeddah landmark is the Tayebat Museum, a building built in the traditional Hijazi style and housing an eclectic collection from around the Kingdom. For a taste of the modern city, we recommend taking a stroll along Jeddah’s beautiful seafront promenade and indulging in some people-watching, or after sunset, admiring the city’s iconic King Fahd Fountain—the tallest in the world.

Outside Jeddah, Hijaz province has much to offer in terms of history and natural beauty. Sports enthusiasts will be drawn by the potential for scuba diving, snorkelling, and deep-sea fishing in the pristine waters of the Red Sea. A two-hour drive from Jeddah, the mountain resort of Taif is a popular summer destination and is noted for its roses, monkeys and night illuminations.

Further afield, the Al Wahbah Crater, on the edge of the Harrat Kishb basalt plateau, was formed by an enormous volcanic explosion and is one of Saudi Arabia’s great natural wonders.