Makkah Province
Historical Site

Explore Old Jeddah, Al Balad

4.4Reviews

Description

Founded in the early 7th century, Al Balad served as Jeddah’s commercial center before the 1970s oil boom. It served as an ancient trading port and was the primary gateway to the Holy City of Makkah for pilgrims making their blessed journey for Hajj and Ummrah. Today, the town is famous for its ancient architecture and traditional buildings that were constructed using coral stone and decorated with beautiful wooden lattice windows.

Architecture

What sets Old Jeddah apart is its narrow alleyways, dusty streets, and beautiful terraces which can be quite difficult to navigate through for a newcomer. Interestingly, this tight architecture is what keeps the place cool despite the scorching heat of Jeddah. Some of the old buildings in Al Balad are more than 500 years old and have been preserved by the Saudi Ministry of Culture to make them look as good as new. 

Major Attractions

One of the most popular tourist spots is Baab Makkah (Mecca), which is the gateway to the city of Makkah. Al Balad also houses a culturally significant center called the Nassif House Museum which dates back to the 19th century. Other major attractions include Baeshen House and the Village Majlis.

Furthermore, a common reason for the locals to visit the old city is shopping. Al Balad is a great place for shopaholics to find good bargains and incredible souvenirs. The alleyways of Old Jeddah are lined with shops, where you can find everything from clothes and shoes to jewelry and antiques.

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Available Tours

Destination Type
Historical Site
Landmark

Location

Al-Balad, Jeddah Saudi Arabia

Nearby Restaurants

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Very Good (13 Reviews)
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Zafiro Indian Restaurant - Jeddah
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Super 2Go Resto Cafe - Jeddah
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Reviews

Reviews
4.4
Very Good
from 43 reviews
Excellent
24
Very Good
16
Good
1
Average
1
Poor
1
Customer service
0.0
Experience
0.0
Value for money
0.0
Cleanliness
0.0
Safety
0.0
Reviews
Kiran Sabir

Kiran Sabir

01/22/2022 15:18

Google review

A beautiful area with some great historic vibes .. And I like the market area especially where everything is available in cheap prices ! Love this place.
Thomas Bartelds

Thomas Bartelds

01/17/2022 21:04

Google review

This place is something else, a must visit when in Jeddah! You have to explore this place and get lost during sunrise, the afternoon and in the evening when the souq is open! There are a lot of nice restaurant around and good street food! Also make sure to visit the museums
Mohammad Midani

Mohammad Midani

12/30/2021 21:47

Google review

Some seating areas need more cleaning. No free shuttle for seniors. The quality of shops open is down. Other than that it is a nice historical place.
Sawsan Henaidy

Sawsan Henaidy

12/11/2021 09:46

Google review

Historical Jeddah project did an amazing job, the streets are really clean now and a lot of renovation projects are going on for saving the historical buildings. You can also find shops, performers, some food vendors and a movie theater. It’s a great place to get some amazing photos too.
Sa Na

Sa Na

12/06/2021 03:32

Google review

it's a nice place part of the city, parking day time easier than after noon, very high traffic, mostly famous museums closed for renovation.
Showing 26 - 30 of 43 total
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