History of the Royal Family and other Jiddah, Saudi Arabia Things to Do Tips

Khozam Palace is a ten-minute walk from my college, located in the old Jeddah. It's been removed and only the gate left. It used to be King Saud's Palace decades ago.
Now it's occupied by the International Swimming Pool. Jeddah municipal is trying to recover it again.

It's worth a photo stop not a historical sightseeing.

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Address: kasir Khozam
Directions: Old Jeddah, 10-minute drive from donwtown; al-Balad.
Remember to negotiate with the taxi driver. Maximum cost is SR20.

The Water Tower located in the area of Khozam Palace, to the left is the international swimming pool, to the right is the Islamic Bank.
This area is surrounded with huge green grounds and very beautiful to relax at and have a picnic with family

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Address: Jiddah city,south
Directions: Next to kasir Khozam

It's only 3 minutes away from my college, located next to Khozam Palace. This museum used to be King Abdul Aziz Palace in Jeddah. Now it covers sections of different ages that the Arabian Peninsula went through back to 7000 years ago, Pre-Islamic age, Islamic age (Prophet, Amawi, Abbasi, Turks), and finally the Saudi Kingodm.

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Address: next to kasir Khozam, South Jeddah

In Fitr and Adha eid (festivals), Jeddah's downtown celebrates this eid in a traditional style. Camels are especially brought, colorfully designed for riding. Swings and other traditional games are organized for kids, while a leading man sings the old kiddish songs, so the kids repeat after him...(ya halwat al eid ya halawa: what a beautiful festival!how beautiful).It's so reviving. I hafta go there every year after Ramadan. The other festival is held after Hajj season.
You'd see people from different nationalities, offering their goods for sales either drums, Arabian guitars 'oud', clothings...etc, very interesting.
Bring your camera, and be a local;^)

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Address: DownTown
Directions: Harat al Mazloum (Mazloum Alley).
Just right after Bayyah circle.

or Bait Naseef is one of the oldest houses in Jeddah. Naseef is a well-known family in the western region of Saudi. They used to open this house as a museum for visitors, though now the Jeddah Municipality is closing it for maintenance.
it used to be the residence of Sultan Abdulhamid, the Ottoman and King Abdulaziz. It depicts the traditional architecture and lifestyle of Jeddah decades and perhaps 100s ago. It consists of 3 floors where the ground floor is open for public, has a water spring that can be seen through a glass board, a 3D map of Balad and surrounding areas and other rooms for display. It has 107 rooms and a camel can get in to fetch the fresh food up to the top! very feasible!
In summer festivals, there would be a traditional Jeddah's music band for traditional performance. It's fun.
No entrance fees.

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Address: Gabil St., al Balad
Directions: Go to al Balad
Follow King Abdul Aziz St. to the mosque corner
Turn left
Go straight till the end of the street
Turn left
Over the bidge, park your car
Walk down the street heading west
Here you find a big house of Naseef's

My family usually goes there once in a while for fresh air, quiet place, turqouise ocean and sunny and warm beaches. It is like a small village outside the city, around 40 minutes North to Jeddah. It is kinda sufficient village by itself, health clubs, residential villas, grocery shops, watersports, restaurants and cafes. There's even a theme park that I haven't seen open yet!

It is divided into several residential areas and islands; both for letting and sale. You do need a car to get around, though golf cars are available for rent. In some areas, there are games and plays for kids, though adults just take seats and enjoy.

Not sure how many health clubs are there. But sure there is a separate section for women as well as men. The women's section has sauna, games room, a swimming pool and a play area for children and a little cafe.
The most popular place to hang out is al-Marsa (the harbour), where the cafes and restaurants are. Many people have their boats and jetskiis parked in al-Marsa. You'll lots of people just wandering around, smoking shisha, loud music played, or just being there! such a busy place in the evening!

Women are free to drive cars, take off their abaya and walk in tights. No wonder, why Jeddah's *girls* are the sinners of Saudi Arabia,lol. So I had a driving lesson there, it went well, not quite impressive driver myself though,lol. You'd rarely see women swimming in the beach, with long sleeves and trousers though!

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Address: North Obhor
Directions: Take the Jed/Madina highway north
Take right as if you're going to Dhaban village
Follow the signs to Durat al Arous

since i have been to the desert recently and terribly missing london, stargazing has become a consolation and enjoyable activity to do in jeddah, romantic too;^) jeddah is blessed with its all-year clear sky and the vast desert and little suburbs that surround it. however, you still cannot see the stars from the city centre as it's very bright and orange-lit.
all what you need to do is just drive out of jeddah, around one hour, know where you are in the desert, following the road signs so you can tell which village or suburb you are passing by, so to know your way back.
i'm not an astronomer or stars amateur but i tell you the sky is quite dark black, amazingly twinkling with all the stars held up there. there're loads of stars and if you hook up with a local bedouin if you're lucky, he can tell you all about it.
just have your tent and camping equippment and a map and of course a telescope if you have any.

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Address: North Jeddah
Directions: best viewing can be in Usfan, Thowal, or Dhaban villages.