Jeddah began as a simple port city on the Red Sea built from the coral of its reefs in the 7th century. Today, it is one of Saudi Arabia’s biggest and most enigmatic cities, yet its heritage has been beautifully preserved. While insightful ethnography, archaeology, and history museums unfurl the city from its humble beginnings, the rustic streets of ancient Al Balad, or Old Jeddah, await to show us for themselves. Meanwhile, the giant malls and towering skyscrapers show the city has a slick side too. The city’s magnificent buildings, old and new give way to bustling ports, promenades, parks, and piers as it comes to a halt at the Red Sea coast. The best thing about this enviable Saudi city, however, is undoubtedly its pristine white beaches spilling into a glowing turquoise sea.
To reach Jeddah, fly to the city’s King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), which provides flights to and from most major cities in the world. The airport is located 25 km north of Jeddah, which can be reached in around 30 minutes by car taxi, or shuttle.
Jeddah is usually very hot in January, with highs of 29°C and an average temperature of 25°C. The climate tends to be very dry, with an average 6% chance of rain each day.