Historic Jeddah (Al Balad)

Historic Jeddah, known locally as Al Balad, is the old quarter of Jeddah on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and people come to walk through its traditional markets, visit its heritage houses and stop in its cafés. The area is open 24 hours and has no minimum age, so families can explore together. Most visitors explore on foot, moving between souqs, historic houses and coffee stops. Some markets are known for fabrics and accessories, others for incense, spices and herbs, and one important trading street is known for its gold shops. Look up at the carved wooden rawashin at Bait Ba'eshen and Bait Al-Sharbatly, and learn about the city's architecture at Bait Al-Mutbuli. Try almond coffee at Diyab Coffee, the oldest café in Al Balad, or specialty coffee at 1/15 Neighborhood Cafe. Zawiya 97 shows local crafts and arts, and teamLab Borderless Museum offers an interactive experience with panoramic views of the district. Wear comfortable shoes, because the walking between stops adds up. Al Balad sits within Jeddah, a coastal city on the Red Sea and a major gateway to Makkah. Its markets, merchants' stories and houses with their traditional decoration show how the old city lived and traded, and a bakery here still bakes traditional bread fresh each day.