Jeddah
Saudi ArabiaBWh
© OpenStreetMap, CARTO
جدة غير | Jeddah ghair (Jeddah, like nowhere else)
Why visit
The atmospheric Al-Balad historic center, the open-air Corniche sculpture museum (with major works by Henry Moore. João Vasconcelos. Calder). The King Fahd Fountain (the world's tallest at 312 m). Spectacular Red Sea diving and snorkelling on a barely-touched reef system, and the new Jeddah Season cultural festivals. Saudi Arabia's vision-2030 reforms have rapidly opened the city to tourism.
When to avoid
Summer heat is brutal, routinely 40°C+ with high humidity off the Red Sea. Dress conservatively (women no longer required to wear abaya but modest dress is wise). Public displays of affection, alcohol, and proselytising remain illegal. Hajj season (variable by Islamic calendar) overcrowds airports and roads. Saturday to Sunday is the local weekend now (changed from Thursday to Friday).