Middle East › Saudi Arabia › Jeddah
Jeddah, Hejaz, Saudi Arabia
Gateway to the Holy Cities and the Red Sea, Jeddah blends thousand-year-old coral architecture with a modern waterfront skyline — and Saudi Arabia's wildly beloved fried chicken.
Gateway to the Holy Cities and the Red Sea, Jeddah blends thousand-year-old coral architecture with a modern waterfront skyline — and Saudi Arabia's wildly beloved fried chicken.
Ships dock at Jeddah Islamic Port — a large secure commercial port with no pedestrian exit. You must take a shuttle, organized excursion, or pre-arranged taxi to reach the city.
💡 Pro move: Friday mornings the city is quiet; most shops close until after midday prayers (~2 PM). Plan accordingly if you call on a Friday.
All cruise ships dock at the Jeddah Islamic Port passenger terminal — a modern deep-water facility that can accommodate the largest vessels afloat.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| MSC, Royal Caribbean, NCL, Costa, AIDA, Silversea, Oceania, Explora, Windstar | Jeddah Islamic Port — Passenger Terminal📍 | Docked |
| AROYA Cruises (homeport) | Jeddah Islamic Port — Cruise Terminal📍 | Docked |
Jeddah rewards curious walkers in Al-Balad, Red Sea view-seekers on the Corniche, and beach-club devotees willing to head north to Obhur.
Explore Jeddah's 1,400-year-old walled city, renowned for its rawashin — intricately carved wooden bay windows atop coral-stone facades. Visit Nassif House Museum, Al-Shafei Mosque, and the labyrinthine Souq Al Alawi.
Find Al-Balad walking tours →Stroll Jeddah's 30-km waterfront promenade past Henry Moore and Joan Miró sculptures, then watch King Fahd Fountain — the world's tallest at 312 m — shoot Red Sea water skyward. Stunning at sunset.
Find Corniche city tours →A multi-level palace replica showcasing thousands of artifacts spanning Islamic and Saudi history. One of the finest heritage museums on the Arabian Peninsula, housed in a stunning Hijazi-style building.
Find Jeddah museum tours →Private beach clubs north of Jeddah (Silver Sands, Oia Beach) offer pool, beach, and Red Sea access where Western swimwear is permitted within resort grounds. Book in advance — walk-ins are often restricted.
Find Jeddah beach club excursions →Visit the iconic mosque built on stilts over the Red Sea — stunning at high tide when the structure appears to float. Combine with a stroll along the waterfront and views of Jeddah's skyline.
Find Jeddah city highlights tours →Join a local guide through Al-Balad's food scene: mutabbaq (folded stuffed pastry), kabsa (spiced rice with lamb), Arabic gahwa coffee with dates, and the unmissable Al Baik broasted chicken — a Saudi cultural institution.
Find Jeddah food tours →Al-Balad is the single essential walk in Jeddah — a dense, navigable historic quarter roughly 1 km across with major sites clustered tightly together.
Start at Bab Makkah gate, then weave through Souq Al Alawi to Nassif House Museum, Al-Shafei Mosque, and Madrasa Al Falah. Return via the coral-stone alleys of the residential quarter.
Walk the paved Red Sea promenade from Al-Rahmah Floating Mosque south toward King Fahd Fountain. Benches, sculptures, and Red Sea views throughout — lovely in the late afternoon.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Jeddah, Hejaz, Saudi Arabia (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 81°F / 27°C | 68°F / 20°C | 3 | 7:03 AM | 6:01 PM |
| Feb | 82°F / 28°C | 68°F / 20°C | 1 | 6:54 AM | 6:20 PM |
| Mar | 85°F / 29°C | 71°F / 22°C | 0 | 6:32 AM | 6:32 PM |
| Apr | 90°F / 32°C | 75°F / 24°C | 1 | 6:04 AM | 6:42 PM |
| May | 94°F / 34°C | 79°F / 26°C | 0 | 5:45 AM | 6:54 PM |
| Jun | 95°F / 35°C | 80°F / 27°C | 0 | 5:40 AM | 7:06 PM |
| Jul | 97°F / 36°C | 82°F / 28°C | 0 | 5:49 AM | 7:08 PM |
| Aug | 97°F / 36°C | 84°F / 29°C | 0 | 6:01 AM | 6:53 PM |
| Sep | 95°F / 35°C | 82°F / 28°C | 0 | 6:10 AM | 6:26 PM |
| Oct | 93°F / 34°C | 79°F / 26°C | 1 | 6:19 AM | 5:58 PM |
| Nov | 88°F / 31°C | 75°F / 24°C | 3 | 6:34 AM | 5:40 PM |
| Dec | 85°F / 29°C | 72°F / 22°C | 3 | 6:53 AM | 5:43 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Many cruise lines offer shuttle buses to Al-Balad (Historic Jeddah). Verify availability and pricing with your cruise operator before docking.
Both Uber and Careem are widely available in Jeddah. Note: you cannot walk out of the port gate — arrange pickup at a designated port exit point.
Official taxis do not use meters; fares are negotiated. Port taxis are generally available but agree on a price before getting in.
Route 3 connects Jeddah Islamic Port to Al-Balad historic district. Very budget-friendly but less reliable for cruise passengers with tight return times.
Launched March 2025, the Jeddah Water Taxi connects the port area to Al-Balad and Jeddah Yacht Club. Children ride free; a novel and scenic option.
Upcoming cruises that call at Jeddah, Hejaz, Saudi Arabia. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.