Jeddah holidays

Jeddah’s beach scene blends golden sands with a gleaming modern skyline along the Red Sea. The Corniche’s public stretches, like North Corniche Beach, are perfect for sunset strolls and sea views, while private beach clubs and resorts around North Obhur take things up a notch with soft sands, pools, cafés and calm swimming spots. Most visitors spend the day here, soaking up the sunshine with a day pass – it’s the best way to experience Jeddah’s laid-back coastal vibe.

Al Saif Beach sits along the southern stretch of Jeddah’s Corniche, making it easy to reach from the city centre. It’s a well-maintained, family-friendly spot with clean sand, clear waters, shaded seating, and cafés nearby.

Escape the crowds with a short boat ride to Bayadah Island. It feels like what you’d expect from the Maldives, with soft, shallow turquoise waters. There’s colourful coral scene, too, so it’s a top-spot for snorkelling. And it’s far enough from the city to feel like your own private slice of the Red Sea.

Jeddah’s souks are the place for budget-friendly finds. Al-Balad Souks, Azizeyah Market, and Souk Al-Nada offer spices, perfumes, textiles, and trinkets. Haggling is expected, so don’t be shy – it’s all part of the fun and a great way to experience local life.

Jeddah’s malls make it easy to shop in style without splurging. Red Sea Mall’s one of the city’s largest, mixing mid-range brands like Zara and H&M with food and entertainment. Mall of Arabia’s another favourite, while Serafi Mega Mall lines up stores like Victoria’s Secret and Adidas – plus an ice rink, too. Corniche Commercial Center in the Waterfront District is another option, spanning 11 floors.

For a luxury fix, Jeddah delivers. Stars Avenue Mall has Tiffany, Marc Jacobs, and the chic Café Ceramique, where you can paint ceramics while enjoying a snack. Boulevard Mall is ultra-modern and open-air, housing A-list designers like Gucci, Prada, and Armani. Round off your spree on Tahlia Street at Al Khayat Center, for more elite labels like Chanel and Louis Vuitton.

Jeddah’s nightlife is more about chill than crazy. Red Sea Corniche, the city’s coastal promenade, is perfect for sunset strolls and gentle sea breezes. In Al-Balad, quiet streets, heritage buildings and small galleries create a calm cultural evening away from the daytime crowds.

The central Corniche, near King Fahd Fountain, has a bit more of a nighttime buzz, with food stalls, street performers and evening crowds. Red Sea Mall and Mall of Arabia offer everything from cinemas to live shows. Keep an eye out for seasonal events, like the Red Sea Jazz Festival, which lights up Al Balad each winter with screenings, art installations and celebrity red carpet events.

Jeddah is all about fresh fish – and menus here serve up whole schools of them. Najil is the ruby-red star of the Red Sea, and it usually comes deep-fried, served with a mound of rice. The best way to eat is local style – pick off the tender meat, mix it into the rice, and dive in with your fingers.

This is your alternative to a savoury pancake. The dough’s slapped out thin, stuffed with minced meat, egg, herbs and tomatoes, then folded into a crispy parcel. Tuna or cream-filled versions exist too, but minced meat is the classic. Before you eat it, squeeze some lemon on top – then chase it with a bite of green chilli.

Golden-hued, cardamom-spiced coffee is a ritual of hospitality as much as it is a drink in Jeddah. It’s poured into tiny cups from a long-spouted dallah pot – think genie lamp – and comes with sticky dates to soften the unsweetened brew. Dates are the city’s sweet staple, found everywhere from street stalls to glossy souks.

Mandi is a lamb-and-rice dish with roots in Bedouin tradition. The lamb is slow cooked in a tandoor until it falls off the bone, seasoned with cumin and salt, and served with fragrant rice that soaks up every drop of juice. This dish is hearty, comforting, and a delicious taste of Saudi Arabia’s desert heritage.

Jeddah’s Kunafa is the ultimate sweet fix. This iconic Middle Eastern dessert is made of shredded filo dough soaked in syrup and filled with melted cheese or semolina. It’s crunchy, gooey, and you’ll find it in bakeries and dessert shops all over the city. You might also see it finished with pistachios or other nuts for an extra touch of flavour.