48 hours in Jeddah

Jeddah is the kind of city where neighborhoods pop up as you drive through stretches of desert. That’s why where you stay can make or break your Jeddah experience. For a laid-back vibe, we recommend staying by the waterfront along the Jeddah Corniche. If history and culture are more your thing, head to the old town, Al Balad, where the charm of the past is everywhere you look. To help you find the perfect spot, we’ve rounded up our favorite hotels that truly capture the essence of the city.

Our top pick is Al Balad Hospitality. Set within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers a luxurious yet authentic stay. With beautifully restored historic buildings turned into boutique hotels, guests can immerse themselves in the heart of Jeddah’s rich history.

Our second pick is The Edition, no question. Just steps away from Jeddah’s top landmarks like the iconic Al Rahmah Mosque, aka “The Floating Mosque”, Jeddah Corniche, and the Yacht Club and Marina, it’s all about location and luxury. The hotel itself? Pure indulgence, with sleek design, signature Le Labo toiletries, amazing dining options, and stunning sea views. What’s not to love?

When it comes to dining, we were surprised by Jeddah’s impressive selection of Japanese and Japanese-fusion restaurants. From international favorites like Roka to local gems like Kuuru, the city knows how to serve up some serious flavor.

On top of that, we were blown away by Saudi’s coffee culture. For a European, especially a Dane, it’s a bit of a shock to see nightlife without alcohol and clubs. But in Jeddah, the vibe is all about hip coffee spots buzzing with life at all hours, and honestly, we loved it.

We’ve rounded up our favorite places you absolutely need to check out when visiting Jeddah

As mentioned earlier, Kuuru is a Jeddah-born gem that’s now expanded to Riyadh. Serving up the perfect fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine in a sleek setting with dim lighting and great music, this spot is a vibe. Their signature ceviche? Hands down one of the best I’ve ever had. And don’t miss the Chirashi Box, where you get to craft your own hand rolls, absolutely delicious!

A bit of a classic, but I’m a sucker for Shang Palace. What really makes dining at Shangri-La in Jeddah an exceptional experience is its location right on the Jeddah Corniche. If you haven’t been to Shang Palace before, go for the obvious choice with their Signature Dim Sum platter and, of course, their iconic Roasted Peking Duck.

The newly opened Lou Burger has quickly become a local favorite since its debut last year, thanks to its compact yet top tier menu. Their Canadian beef patties and chicken burgers on a buttery brioche bun hits the spot every time. We couldn’t get enough of their cucumber kimchi and chicken bites, seriously, don’t skip them! Plus, the packaging is on point, and the vibes are just chef’s kiss

Okay, hear me out, Al Baik in Saudi hits different. And I had to try, since I heard that it’s better here than in Dubai, where i previously tried it, which sense, as it’s from here. And after a long travel from Denmark to Jeddah, it came through big time. If you’re in the Kingdom for the first time, do yourself a favor and get the spicy nuggets with that iconic garlic dip. Honestly, it’s worth the trip alone.

Joe has truly made his mark in Saudi Arabia, and I’ve got to say, as someone from Joe’s home country, this is hands down the wildest Joe & The Juice I’ve ever been to. Not only was it in its own pink multi-level house with a massive balcony, but the vibe was on another level. It was clear this was where the rich, young crowd hung out, flexing their family’s rides. As a loyal Joe girlie, my go-to order is an Iced Matcha Latte on almond milk, a turmeric shot, and a Tunacado. And if I’m real’ hungry, I go “Surf and Turf style” by adding chicken, a lil’ protein life hack, you’re welcome.

Another spot we were recommended is GOOHOOD, mainly for their Matcha – and it did not disappoint. Alongside the cute decor, the café had a chill vibe with lots of young women studying or working, making it clear it’s laptop-friendly. The baristas were super polite and whipped up an excellent matcha for us – what more could you ask for?

If we had just 48 hours in Jeddah and wanted to experience something different, these are the three things we’d check out. Sure, there’s plenty more to do in the city, like hitting up the big shopping malls, but to be honest, we didn’t find them as impressive as these three spots. If we had another day, we might’ve squeezed in some activities by the water.

Not much beats a stunning sunset over the Red Sea. Jeddah Corniche is lined with amazing hotels. And at one end, you’ll find the Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina, along with the iconic Al-Rahmah Mosque, also known as the Floating Mosque. These three spots are definitely worth checking out, and the best part? They’re all conveniently close to each other!

As mentioned earlier, Al Balad is a UNESCO World Heritage site. When we visited, many of the buildings were being restored, and it’s impressive to think that some of them are over 400 years old. With its stunning architecture, charming boutiques, and cozy cafes, Al Balad is definitely worth exploring both during the day and in the evening.

Visit the legendary teamLabs museum from Tokyo in Jeddah’s Al Balad and activate your senses as you wander through various art installations, each offering something unique. Only teamLabs knows how to turn any museum sceptic into a museum lover by constantly challenging the familiar, and they do it so well. Definitely worth a visit!