Saudi Arabia | Revisiting Jeddah Old Town, discovering many mysterious little shops

🚗 Jeddah Old Town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on November 28, 2006. After the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, this area became the trade center of the Red Sea region. The unique landscape of Jeddah Old Town is made up of numerous small shops, traditional white limestone walls, and protruding wooden lattice window structures. The Beit Nassif Museum, located in the city center, is the most typical 19th-century Saudi residence, with architectural styles heavily influenced by Egypt.

🚗 The first time I came to Jeddah around New Year's, I visited Jeddah Old Town, walking along the main street with my suitcase. Today, with more time and no luggage, I basically took a full stroll around the old streets. Al-balad means "city center" in Arabic; every city has an al-balad, and in Jeddah, it refers to the old town area. The true old town is guarded and only accessible on foot, while some parts are also old town but allow vehicle traffic.

🚗 This time I explored several small alleys, which felt different from my last visit—much more boutique-style. There are many small coffee shops and boutiques, with sofas by the roadside to sit on. Some shops play local music, and buying a cup of coffee to sit and enjoy the sunny season in Jeddah is truly comfortable.

🚗 Some areas are under construction and noisy, and some dilapidated buildings are fenced off, so be sure to pay attention to safety when visiting. Some streets in the old town are very narrow, so be mindful of your belongings as people come and go.

Post by vance_3647 | Feb 19, 2024