By Aevan Caro
Imagine starting your day with the fresh sea breeze that leads you to a captivating sunset and a gleaming night time city skyline. Wouldn’t you be enthusiastic to look forward to what each day would bring? You have to see Jeddah. Right now!
With all the developments happening around the Kingdom these years, Jeddah has always been a favorite destination of locals and expats alike.This city located at the west coast of Saudi Arabia has been fondly referred to as “The Bride of the Red Sea” as it lies along the shores of the Red Sea which plays a vital role in Jeddah’s rich history and economic growth.
The old days of Jeddah traces back from around 2,500 years ago when the city was initially founded as a fishing village by the Quda’a tribe who travelled from Yemen. It was in 647 AD when the third Islamic caliph Uthman ibn Affan historically transformed Jeddah by declaring the city as the official major port to welcome Muslim pilgrims, also known as hajjis, travelling by sea to enter the city of Makkah.
Up to this day, Jeddah remains the main point of entry for a lot of Muslim pilgrims from all over the world who visit the two holy cities of Islam – Makkah and Madinah.
One of the ways to trace and experience the history of Jeddah is to walk along the streets of the Historic Old Jeddah in Al-Balad district recently included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The astounding traditional architecture of combined stone-built buildings and wooden windows, plus the souk around the area, is certainly a visual treat.
Not too far away from the Al-Balad district stands three of the tallest structures in the world including the tallest lighthouse at the Jeddah Islamic Port and the tallest flagpole at the King Abdullah Square. Undoubtedly, the most famous landmark is the King Fahd’s Fountain labeled as the tallest fountain in the world which stretches up from 260 meters to 312 meters above the Red Sea. Built in the early 1980s and launched in 1985, this fountain continues to attract not only Jeddah tourists but their residents as well.
Jeddah offers a wide range of activity and adventure!
Since Jeddah’s main attraction is the Red Sea, the recently launched Jeddah Waterfront has become a favorite weekend destination by many. It is a 4-km stretch with man-made beaches, children’s play area, jogging and biking tracks, fishing docks, or view decks to watch the breathtaking Jeddah sunset.
Jeddah’s entertainment scene provides fun and amusement to its residents and visitors with various events and music activities. Vox Cinemas has also opened at the Red Sea Mall last January 28, 2019.
Other places like Fakieh Aquarium, Trio Ranch for horseback riding, and theme parks such as AlShallal, Atallah Happy Land, and Jungle Land deliver more family bonding activities in the city.
One of the most awaited attractions to be completed by 2020 is the 1-kilometer high Jeddah Tower which is on its way to becoming the new tallest building in the world upon completion.
In addition, the new King Abdulaziz International Airport had its soft opening last year. It’s set to welcome more visitors in the coming years.
Jeddah teaches us to enjoy the present and look forward to the future without forgetting the past.
The local government of Jeddah constantly exerts efforts to provide their people and their visitors a world-class weekend getaway. This city’s evolution gives us an extraordinary experience of coming into contact with both traditional and modern lifestyles.
Must-Visit Restaurants
● Founded in 1974, Al-Baik and its irresistibly famous broasted chicken, shrimps, and their other food products continue to expand around the Kingdom.
● Palm Beach is one of the oldest Lebanese restaurants in Jeddah founded in 1976. Authentic Lebanese cuisine with the use of fresh ingredients keeps their business running for more than four decades.
Must-Do Activities
● Enjoy the open water with jet ski and boat rentals, and cruise along the shores of the Red Sea. Scuba diving and snorkelling may also be an option to have a close encounter with underwater creatures.
● For the less adventurous, fishing is the perfect activity. The Red Sea started as a fishing hamlet thousands of years ago, and still remains to be a good source of seafood.
Must-Visit Places
● A historical structure located within Al-Balad district’s Old Jeddah site, the Nasseef House has been standing there since 1881. Containing a total of 106 rooms and now a museum, it is where the then King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud stayed during his visit in Jeddah in 1925.
● Jeddah is known for its famous sculptures found in roundabouts around the city. Some of the smaller sculptures have been restored and displayed together in one open-air museum along the Jeddah Corniche.
Local Produce
● Seafood
