Things to do
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Al-Balad
Coral-stone houses of four and five storeys lean over the lanes of the historic quarter, their rawasheen, the latticed timber bay windows, shading rooms that once belonged to merchant families of the pilgrim trade. UNESCO listing has funded a slow restoration and several houses now open as museums. Evenings during Ramadan are when the quarter is fullest.
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Jeddah Corniche
Landscaped waterfront runs for kilometres along the Red Sea north of the old town, with sculpture by Moore, Miro and Calder set along it, shaded seating, fishing spots and a cycle path. Families fill it after sunset, once the heat drops. The southern stretch reaches the fountain, and the northern end holds the newer restaurants and the swimming platforms.
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King Fahd's Fountain
Seawater is pumped upward in a jet that reaches beyond three hundred metres, visible across the city and lit after dark. Viewing works best from the corniche south of it, where spray carries on the wind. It runs to a schedule and stops in high wind, so a sighting is never guaranteed.
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Red Sea Mall
Air-conditioned shopping on a large scale north of the centre, with a glass atrium, international chains, a cinema and a food hall, open late and busy after evening prayers. It matters more than a mall usually would in a city where the summer street is unbearable by day. Families predominate, and the cafes stay open into the small hours.