3-Hour Walking Tour of Jeddah Al-Balad with Private House Museum

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore the historic city of Al-Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• 02 Stroll through the traditional souq of old Jeddah
• 03 Visit a private house museum to learn about the city's history
• 04 See the oldest mosque in Al-Balad

Embark on this short heritage tour in Jeddah for a peek into the history and culture of Al-Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Observe the Red Sea's coastal coral-building traditions and the influences and crafts shaped by historic trade routes. Walk through old neighbourhoods, admire the city's oldest mosque, visit a private house museum, and immerse yourself in the city's culture while strolling through the traditional souq.

Observe the Red Sea's coastal coral-building traditions and the influences and crafts shaped by historic trade routes.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Hours

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Not included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

City Jeddah

Languages Arabic, English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Historic Walk Through Al-Balad

• Meet your tour guide at 9:00 a.m. in the Bab Almadinh Alballad area and begin your historical tour of Al-Balad. This district is characterized by a distinctive architectural tradition, including tower houses built in the late 19th century by the city's mercantile elites.
• Pass through many old and famous houses, old neighbourhoods (harat), the oldest mosque, markets, and a private house museum.
• Enjoy some free time for shopping in the old souq of Al-Balad.

The tour ends here.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Tour guide service
• One museum ticket

What's Not Included

• Accommodation (upon request)
• Airport transportation (upon request; extra charges)
• Transportation (upon request; extra charges)
• Any other expenses
• Traditional dinner and other meals (upon request; extra charges)

What to bring

• Sun hat
• Copy of ID or passport

Know before you go

• Please note:
  • The time of the tour can be adjusted upon request.
  • More attractions can be added based on your request.
  • There are desert and wild sites near Jeddah where safari, hiking, and camping activities can be practised on special request.
  • Other activities such as sea boat trips, snorkelling, and diving are available upon request.
  • Islamic traditions must be respected.
  • Women should dress modestly and avoid short dresses. Abayah is optional, not mandatory.
  • On Friday mornings, most of the shops and souq are closed.
• Jeddah, the "bride of the Red Sea," is a major Islamic port. It is the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia after Riyadh, the primary sea resort city, and an economic and commercial hub. Jeddah is the principal gateway to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, 65 kilometres to the east, while Medina, the second-holiest city, is 400 kilometres to the north. Located in Makkah Mukaramh province, it is the second city in the province after Makkah. Jeddah is an urban centre on the western coast of the Arabian Peninsula overlooking the Red Sea, in the famous and historically important Al-Hijaz state. As the historic crossroads of pilgrims and traders and the traditional gateway to Mecca, Jeddah is the most fascinating of Saudi Arabia's major cities, with a cosmopolitan and liberal air not found elsewhere in the Kingdom.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Tour start

Al-Balad, Jeddah Saudi Arabia

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.