10 Lesser-Known Facts About Jeddah That'll Amaze You

Tighten your seatbelt! We're going to the "Bride of the Red Sea," where old tales combine with salty winds and surprises wait at every step.

Jeddah is a city that serves as more than just an entrance to Makkah. This colorful treasure on the Red Sea dances to its beat, a fusion of natural beauty and seaside cool. Every visit feels like discovering a mystery, even if you've lived here your entire life. It's where street art covers the skyline, history peeks through coral-stone structures, and more.

Think you know Jeddah? Think again. Even the proudest residents may have missed these unusual facts about the city—from abandoned strongholds to peaceful salt flats hidden in plain sight.

So, grab your Gahwa, take a seat, and let's explore a side of Jeddah that isn't often shown in the media but is undoubtedly deserving of being highlighted.

More than 50 years ago, the mayor of Jeddah had the bold (and smart) idea of converting the city into an art gallery. To achieve this, he invited some of the most famous sculptors in the world, such as Julio Lafuente, César Baldaccini, and Henry Moore, to put their stamp on the city.

The outcome? An exhibition that is alive and well. Now, Jeddah seems like one enormous outdoor museum with its eye-catching sculptures dotted around the city. The Jeddah Sculpture Museum is currently home to several of them, making it the ideal location for exploring these works of art in a single stroll.

As of 2024, Jeddah is home to over 5.4 million residents, making it the largest city on the Red Sea—and its population continues to grow. No other coastal city along these waters comes close. It's a sprawling, bustling metropolis that wears the Red Sea’s crown with effortless style.

At first glance, Jeddah Light may seem like just another lighthouse by the sea, but don’t let its simplicity fool you. Standing tall at an incredible 133 meters (436 feet), it holds the title of the tallest lighthouse in the world, a record it has maintained since its construction in 1990. Located at the northern entrance of Jeddah’s Islamic Port, this striking structure is more than just a beacon for ships—it’s undoubtedly one of the most awesome places to visit in Jeddah, particularly for those who enjoy ocean vistas and hidden world records.

Uthman Bin Affan, the third caliph of Islam, had a concept centuries ago and turned Jeddah into a thriving port that welcomed pilgrims traveling by sea to Makkah. And that legacy continues. Jeddah proudly serves as the entryway for many pilgrims traveling to the holy city today.

The Jeddah Superdome is a world record holder as well as being the venue for the city's largest events. Look up before the show begins! You are standing beneath the largest geodesic dome in the world, measuring an astounding 210.107 meters in diameter. Oh, and it also holds the title of being the largest dome with a continuous roof. That architecture is indeed amazing, and it comes with a sense of pride.

Back in 1845, Zainal Alireza established the House of Alireza, one of Saudi Arabia's most powerful corporate empires. What began as a small Jeddah trade concern has expanded over 180 years into a major force in everything from automobiles and lubricants to modern technology. That's what you mean when you say "Legacy built to last"!

Known as the "Greatest Structural Engineer of the 20th Century," Fazlur Rahman Khan transformed skylines all over the world with his masterpieces, such as the John Hancock Center and Chicago's Willis Tower. However, many people are unaware that this architectural icon also designed the huge and breathtaking Hajj Terminal in Jeddah.

Located in Thuwal, just north of Jeddah, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, or KAUST, is an important player in academia. KAUST proudly claimed the top rank in the 2024 Times Higher Education Arab University Rankings. Even more remarkable? Saudi Arabia was home to half of the top ten universities on that ranking. It appears that the Kingdom is becoming a significant center for higher learning!

Unexpected! You could not imagine a coastal city having its forest as Jeddah does. The Eastern Jeddah Forest, tucked along the Jeddah-Jummum highway, is a man-made forest with more than 80,000 plants occupying six million square meters. And you know what? It's free to enter. One of those surprising Jeddah attractions for nature enthusiasts, it's ideal for a tranquil getaway in the lush surroundings.

As you travel down Jeddah's southern shoreline toward Al Saif Beach, you'll explore a dreamy view, tiny islands, and islets scattered over the horizon like nature's own glitter. They are in numerous quantities, and most of them even lack names. However, some stand out, such as Jazirat Al Wusta and Jazirat Ghurab. It's one of those serene, nearly hidden areas of the city that makes you realize how much beauty Jeddah hides away along its coastline.