Saudi Arabia

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Jeddah

Red Sea gateway and old coral city

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Jeddah Plan a trip around Saudi Arabia

Best time to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Currency: SAR
Time zone: UTC+3
Country: Saudi Arabia

Photo: Tahir mq, CC BY-SA 4.0

Jeddah is Saudi Arabia's second-largest city and main commercial hub, sitting on the Red Sea coast. People come for the UNESCO-listed coral houses of Al-Balad, the long Corniche waterfront, Red Sea diving and its reputation as the country's most relaxed big city.

Largest cities

Riyadh
Jeddah
Mecca
Medina
Dammam

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Saudi Arabia
Capital: Riyadh
City population: 4.7M
Population of Saudi Arabia: 33M
Country area: 2,250,000 km²
Official language: Arabic
Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR) · 1 USD ≈ 3.75 SAR
Time zone: UTC+3
Calling code: +966
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 11 m
Plugs: A / B / C / G · 220V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	29°	29°	31°	34°	36°	37°	38°	38°	37°	36°	33°	30°
Low	20°	19°	21°	24°	25°	27°	28°	29°	28°	25°	24°	21°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$46
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$110
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$300

Plan a trip to Jeddah

Top things to do

Free
Al-Balad Old Town walk
Wander the UNESCO-listed warren of coral houses, old gates and souqs; go early morning or late afternoon when it is cooler and the light is better.
- Half day
- Al-Balad (Old Town)
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Souq al-Alawi
The main market street in the old city, lined with coral houses and stalls; ask before photographing people and bargain politely.
- Half day
- Al-Balad (Old Town)
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $5
Naseef House
A restored merchant family home turned museum and cultural centre, open in the evening with good views from the upper floors; check Friday opening before going.
- Half day
- Al-Balad (Old Town)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Good in the evening
- Closed: Friday
Free
Jeddah Corniche and King Fahd's Fountain
Walk or drive the nearly 30 km seafront with its sculptures and Red Sea views; the fountain is lit at night and best seen after dark.
- Half day
- Jeddah Corniche
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $16
House of Islamic Arts
A small but high-quality Islamic art museum at the top of a mall, with an audio guide and access to four other small exhibitions on the same floor.
- Half day
- Tahliya Street
- Indoors
≈ $40
teamLab Borderless Jeddah
A hectare of interactive digital art with over 80 immersive works; book a slot in advance and allow two to three hours.
- Half day
- Tahliya Street
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Closed: Monday
≈ $5
Jeddah Regional Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography
Housed in the 1928 Khuzam Palace, with finds from Wadi Fatimah, pre-Islamic artefacts and royal-era relics; a good hot-afternoon option.
- Half day
- Al-Balad (Old Town)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $55
Red Sea boat trip from Obhur
A one-hour small-boat ride from the Obhur marina shows the Red Sea coastline and reefs; bring sun protection and book ahead at weekends.
- Full day
- Obhur
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Most visitors need a visa before travel: many nationalities can apply online for a tourist e-visa or an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), and e-visas can also be issued on arrival at Saudi international airports. Passports must be valid for at least six months from arrival, and separate Hajj visas are required for the pilgrimage season. Rules differ by nationality and purpose of travel, so check the official Saudi visa platform before booking.

Official website

From the airport

King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) is the main gateway, with Terminal 1 for Saudia and SkyTeam carriers and the North Terminal for most other international flights. A taxi into the city takes roughly 30–45 minutes depending on traffic, so agree the fare before setting off.

Getting around

Green taxis and ride-hailing apps are plentiful and cheap, while the Haramain high-speed train links the airport and Al-Sulimaniyah station with Mecca and Medina.

Local tips

Dress modestly in public places; women should carry an abaya for mosques and conservative areas, though Jeddah is more relaxed than Riyadh.
Alcohol is illegal and public behaviour rules apply; avoid eating or drinking openly on the street during Ramadan daylight hours.
Cards are widely accepted but keep some cash for souq bargaining, taxis and small cafes.
The sea is very hot from July to October and summer afternoons are extreme, so plan outdoor sightseeing for early morning or after sunset.

Areas worth knowing

Obhur
Tahliya Street
Al-Balad (Old Town)
Jeddah Corniche
North Jeddah

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on October 11, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK