Al-Balad (Historic Jeddah)
البلد
Jeddah's historic heart, a old town of coral-stone towers and carved wooden lattice windows. It has been a port on the route to Makkah since the 7th century and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.
Al-Balad, meaning "the town," is Jeddah's oldest district, founded in the 7th century when the third Caliph, Uthman, made Jeddah the port for Makkah. From then on, the area served as a hub for pilgrims and Red Sea trade. Until the city walls were torn down in the 1940s, it was the entirety of the city. The old town is best known for its multi-story houses, built from Red Sea coral stone and reinforced with timber beams. Their facades are decorated with intricate carved wooden oriel windows called roshan, which provide shade and ventilation, while the high walls and narrow alleys act as natural wind channels. In 2014, the "Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah" was inscribed as a World Heritage Site. In recent years, extensive restoration has taken place, and many old houses have been converted into museums, galleries, cafés, and boutiques. Key sights include the Nasif House, the Mathbouly House Museum, the Shafi'i Mosque (said to date back to the 7th century), traditional markets such as Al-Alawi for spices, dates, oud, and textiles, and the restored old city gates. We recommend visiting after dark, when the wooden windows and lanterns look especially beautiful. The main venue of the Red Sea International Film Festival, held every December, is also in the old town. Please respect residents and prayer times, and ask permission before photographing people.
Opening hours
Open all day (shops mostly open from evening until late; brief closures during prayer times)
Nearby sights
- Nasseef House
- Matbouli House Museum
- Al-Shafi'i Mosque
- Bab Makkah (Makkah Gate)
- Red Sea Museum
- Jeddah Central Fish Market
- Khuzam Palace (Jeddah Regional Museum)
- Jeddah Flagpole