Jeddah Corniche. Photo by Tahir mq. Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Jeddah, Saudi Arabia


 

Located in the Hejaz region, Jeddah is the commercial center of Saudi Arabia. Jeddah is the largest city in Makkah Province with a population of about 4,697,000 people as of 2021.

Jeddah is the tenth-largest city in the Middle East, the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital Riyadh and the largest city in Hejaz region.

Jeddah Islamic Port, on the Red Sea is the second-largest and second-busiest seaport in the Middle East after Dubai’s Port of Jebel Ali and the thirty-sixth largest seaport in the world.

The top 10 interesting facts about Jeddah, Saudi Arabia include the following.

1. Jeddah Hosts A 4 Kilometer Water Front

Jeddah is located on the shores of the Red Sea and has a total of approximately 30 kilometers of coastal area.  An area near the Al-Nawras Square was refurbished at a total cost of SR800 million in the year 2018 and named the “Jeddah Waterfront”.

The water front which hosts water-sport parks, beaches, children’s play parks, interactive water fountains and restaurants measures over 4 kilometers in length.

 The water front also hosts kiosks, a floating marina dock, larger-than-life animal and art sculptures, as well as dozens of designated restrooms and phone charging stations among others.

2. King Fahd Fountain Is  Visible Throughout The Vicinity Of Jeddah

King Fahd Fountain. Photo by أسامة الحسني الزهراني. Wikimedia Commons

Gifted by King Fahd in 1985 to the people of Jeddah, the fountain is visible throughout the vicinity of the city.

The fountain jets water to a maximum height, according to different sources, of either 260 meters or 853 feet or 312 meters or 1,024 feet above the Red Sea.

The fountain is the tallest such fountain whichever figure is considered its actual height in the world.

3. Jeddah Hosts What Is Considered A Floating Mosque

Al-Rahmah Mosque. Photo by Tahir mq. Wikimedia Commons

Masjid Al-Rahmah which sometimes is referred to as the floating Mosque is unique of its kind as it was built in 1985 above water in the city of Jeddah.

The incredible Al Rahmah Mosque appears to be floating in the Red Sea during high tide.

The mosque is built at the edge of a 30-kilometer stretch of coastal land filled with tourist attractions known as the Jeddah Corniche.

The floating mosque has a modern sound and lighting system for worship but also features traditional architecture and Islamic art

Due to its location and architecture, the mosque is a famous tourist spot for both locals and tourists visiting the city.

The mosque is best viewed around sunrise or sunset with the light streaming through the stained glass windows and as such is one of the best places to visit in Jeddah

4. The Central Part Of Jeddah Hosts The Historic Balad

Balad. Photo by Tahir mq. Wikimedia Commons

One of the oldest areas of Jeddah with some of the buildings being more than 100 years old is a place called Balad.

Balad was given the status of “UNESCO World Heritage Site” in 2014 due to its historical buildings and culture among others.

The modern areas of Balad still get crowded especially during the month of Ramadhan although most of the population has moved.

There are also very many markets and Bazaars around the area, hence Balad is popular for shopping.

5. Jeddah Is Home To The Unique Fakieh Aquarium

Fakieh Aquarium. Photo by Fakieh Aquarium, Ten Thousand Strangers. Wikimedia Commons

The aquarium which started operations in 2013 is the only aquarium in Saudi Arabia for the public to enjoy. The aquarium holds more than 200 species of marine life.

Some of the marine animals in the aquarium include Sharks, Groupies, Sting Rays, Napoleon Wrasse, Dolphins and Sea Horses.

The aquarium is a unique tourist attraction site in the city. Families enjoy a dolphin show which is held twice per day in the aquarium.

6. Jeddah Is Home To The World’s Tallest Flagpole

Jeddah Flagpole. Photo by Gregor Rom. Wikimedia Commons

One of the latest additions to the horizon of Jeddah is the Flagpole which was completed in 2014. The flagpole is the tallest of its kind in the world since its erection in King Abdullah Square as it stands at a height of 171 meters high.

During the National day of Saudi Arabia, A Saudi Arabian flag size 49.5metres by 33meters, weighing 570Kilograms was raised for the first time on the Flagpole.

7. Once Complete Jeddah Will Be Home To The World’s Tallest Building

The brainchild of billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal of Saudi Arabia, the Jeddah tower when completed will be the world’s tallest building standing at over 3,281 feet or 1,000 meters high.

The record-breaking tower will be the crown jewel of a sprawling urban oasis called Jeddah Economic City.

However, only a third of the project has been constructed so far. It seems to have temporarily stalled due to Saudi political intrigue and Covid 19 shutdowns.

8. Jeddah Is Home To The World’s Tallest Lighthouse

The Jeddah Lighthouse located on the north side of the Jeddah Islamic Seaport is the world’s tallest lighthouse. The lighthouse which is active stands 133 meters or 436 feet tall.

The lighthouse surpasses in structural height any other traditional and non-traditional lighthouse in active use according to the Guinness World Records.

Jeddah Lighthouse is particularly stunning at night, and especially from nearby tourist spots like Central Fish Market and Corniche Commercial Center.

9. Tourists Can Take A Trip To The Bicycle Square In Jeddah

The Bicycle Square located near King Fahd Road is essentially a roundabout featuring a 50-foot metal sculpture of a bicycle also known as Midan Addarajah.

The 50-foot metal sculpture of a bicycle is one of Jeddah’s most famous and eye-catching art installations first installed in 1982.

Visitors can drive to the roundabout and park to view the sculpture up close and take pictures or take a quick drive by the Bicycle Square.

10. Tourists Can Tour The Eye-catching Globe Roundabout

Located at the intersection of Assalam Street and King Abdul Aziz Road, the Globe Roundabout is one of the top tourist attractions in Jeddah.

Surrounded by Saudi Arabian flags the giant metal globe sits in the middle of the intersection.

The black and silver globe is lit up with blue and green lights displaying the map of the world at night.

Interestingly the bicycle sculpture in Bicycle Square and the giant globe and other large art installations in Jeddah were designed by the same Spanish architect called Julio Lafuente.

 

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !


These are Amazon’s best-selling travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

Bookstore

  1. The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 – Learn more here
  2. Fodor’s Paris 2024 – Learn more here

Travel Gear

  1. Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack – Learn more here
  2. Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage – Learn more here
  3. Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle – Learn more here

Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.