Historic Jeddah (Al Balad)

Historic Jeddah, known as Al Balad, is the old urban district of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. People come to walk its lanes, browse its markets, and see how the city looked and worked before the modern skyline arrived. The area is open 24 hours and suits all ages, with no minimum age. Plan on a lot of walking between the souqs, heritage houses and cafés, so wear comfortable shoes. The markets offer different moods: one is known for gold shops, another for incense, spices and herbs, and another for fabrics and accessories. Among the houses, look for the carved wooden rawashin at Bait Ba'eshen and Bait Al-Sharbatly, and learn about the architecture of Bait Al-Mutbuli. For a pause, Diyab Coffee is described as the oldest café in Al Balad and serves almond coffee, while 1/15 Neighborhood Cafe focuses on specialty coffee. A historic bakery turns out traditional bread daily, and Zawiya 97 shows local crafts and art. The interactive teamLab Borderless Museum adds a contemporary note, with panoramic views over the district. Al Balad is Jeddah's historic core, known for traditional coral-stone buildings, and it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. Its houses, trading streets and merchants' stories give the district its character, and the area feels especially atmospheric during Ramadan evenings.