 Jiddah Click to get the inside scoop from real travelers here at VirtualTourist. See the Jiddah Travel GuideInside advice from real people on:Overview, Hotels, Things to Do, Restaurants, Nightlife, Shopping, General Tips, Transportation, Off the Beaten Path, Tourist Traps, Warnings or Dangers, Local Customs, Packing Lists or Sports Travel.
948 Jiddah Tips. 1118 Jiddah Photos. 0 Jiddah Videos. Jiddah Pages by TomorrowsAngel
| Page Views: 8,319 Last Visit to Jiddah: October, 2005 I Work Here | life @ the beach by TomorrowsAngel - last update: Jan 31, 2006 |
I've been lucky enough to spend my last four Arabian summers in Jeddah. Jeddah is more humid than Riyadh, and therefore the summer is more bearable. Jeddah is on the Red Sea coast which means it has many beaches to snorkel, dive, swim and walk along. The shopping is really good, in the souks and the more modern malls. There are heaps of cool modern cafes and restaurants with world-class food and decor. |
Jeddah has grown from humble origins, it began about 2,500 years ago as a tiny fishing settlement, in the 16th century, the Ottomans built a stone wall around the town in order to fortify it against attacks from the Portuguese. Jeddah's early traditions as a trading centre continue today, and it is possible to buy almost anything in its souqs and shopping malls. Jeddah's status as a trading centre has been maintained down the centuries and many of today's major trading companies have their headquarters there. Two large, government-owned companies are based in Jeddah, too: the Saudi Arabian Marketing and Refining Company (SAMAREC) and Saudia, which is the national airline. Both these companies employ a huge work force, and their presence exerts a considerable impact on the local economy. |
By contrast, industry still plays only a minor part in Jeddah's economy, although one industry which does seem to be thriving is tourism. Increased mobility, as a result of lower domestic air fares and better connecting highways, means that many Saudi nationals are now able to enjoy the delights of Jeddah as a holiday resort. Attracted by the Red Sea, the excellent restaurants and shops and the cosmopolitan flavour of the city, Saudis are now taking several short holidays a year, and Jeddah is an increasingly popular destination. Hotels report an increased demand for accommodation, and builders are finding that the demand for new residences is on the increase, as many wealthy families from Riyadh and other cities in the Kingdom are building holiday homes in Jeddah. |
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| Pros: | "beaches" | | Cons: | "none" | | In A Nutshell: | "most liberal and friendly of all the saudi cities" |
TomorrowsAngel's Jiddah Travel Tips
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Comments for TomorrowsAngel about Jiddah | | | | |
RickinDutch Thu Apr 5, 2007 20:53 UTC Great tips. Have only been to the airport during Haj a long time ago. Birthday greetings from Alaska! | JessH Tue Feb 6, 2007 05:43 UTC Hello dear "neighbour" :-) Lovely tips here and very good insightful information. I enjoyed your page & my ratings are with you. Greetings from Dubai / Jess | freddie18 Mon Oct 9, 2006 13:27 UTC Hi Bec. Your Jiddah page is amazing and begin to miss the place while reviewing your tips. My stay there was too short and didn't see much. Will be back to your site to see more on the Middle East. Regards from Freddie of Toronto | uglyscot Wed Apr 5, 2006 07:29 UTC Very useful tips. I wasn't there long enough to see much. Indeed the roundabouts are strange. It seems to be a feature of most Arab cities, but none so strange as in Jiddah. |
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