I'll be honest: Jeddah wasn't on my radar for a family trip. We'd been so focused on Riyadh's entertainment offerings that Jeddah seemed like somewhere you flew through to reach Mecca or the Red Sea resorts. Our November weekend there completely changed that perception.
The trip came about almost accidentally. My wife had a work conference in Jeddah, and rather than leaving her alone for three days, we decided to make it a family adventure. Best spontaneous decision we've made since moving to Saudi Arabia.
The Corniche: More Than Just a Walkway
The Jeddah Corniche stretches for roughly 30 kilometers along the Red Sea coast, and I'd always dismissed it as "just a promenade." Walking it with our kids revealed how wrong that assumption was.
We started near the famous Jeddah Fountain area on Friday morning. The scale of this waterfront development is genuinely impressive. Unlike Riyadh's more manicured entertainment zones, the Corniche has an organic, lived-in quality. Families were everywhere: picnicking on the grass, kids cycling, groups of friends playing football on the beach areas.
What surprised me most were the playgrounds. Hidden along the Corniche are several substantial playground areas that don't appear on any tourist map I've found. We discovered one near the Al-Hamra district that had our kids occupied for nearly two hours while Sara and I actually managed to drink coffee in peace at a nearby cafe.
The Shawarma That Changed Everything
Now, let me tell you about the shawarma incident. My 8-year-old, Layla, is notoriously picky. Getting her to try new food is a diplomatic negotiation that usually ends in chicken nuggets. So when we stopped at a small street-side restaurant called Abu Zaid (near the old town area), I expected the usual battle.
The owner, an elderly man who spoke limited English but unlimited enthusiasm, insisted Layla try "just one bite" of his chicken shawarma. Something in his manner convinced her. She took a bite, paused, and then, in front of witnesses, declared it "actually good."
"This is actually good. Can we come here every day?" - Layla, age 8, experiencing her first non-nugget protein approval
We returned to Abu Zaid twice more during our weekend. The location was roughly 21.4896, 39.1828 if you want to find it, though I recommend just asking locals for "the shawarma place near the old souk with the friendly owner." Everyone seemed to know it.
Al-Balad: Old Jeddah with Kids
I'd read about Al-Balad, the historic district, and wasn't sure it would work with young children. The UNESCO World Heritage site can seem intimidating in photos: narrow alleyways, ancient buildings, seemingly not designed for strollers.
In reality, it was one of the highlights of our trip. Yes, you need to leave the stroller at the hotel. Yes, the kids will get tired. But the experience of walking through buildings that are 500+ years old, pointing out the distinctive wooden lattice windows (called rawasheen), and watching our children's genuine curiosity about "why the houses look different" was worth every complaint about tired feet.
We visited on Saturday morning when the temperature was still bearable. There's a small cafe inside the district, near the Naseef House museum, where we rested mid-exploration. The fresh juices were excellent, and the air conditioning was a genuine relief.
For those interested in the history, the Visit Saudi Jeddah page has good background information, though I found the on-site signage and the enthusiastic local guides more engaging for the kids.
The Beach Situation
One thing I should mention: accessing nice beaches in Jeddah isn't as straightforward as I expected. The Corniche has public beach areas, but they're crowded and not particularly clean. For actually swimming in the Red Sea, you need to either:
- Pay for day access at a resort beach (we did this at the Ritz-Carlton, around 400 SAR for the family)
- Drive north to the Obhur area, where there are public beaches that are cleaner but still busy
- Book a snorkeling or boat trip, which we didn't have time for but heard great things about
We chose the resort option for one afternoon, and it was worth it for the kids to properly swim in the Red Sea. The water clarity was stunning, even just from the beach. My son claimed he could see fish from the shore, and for once I think he wasn't exaggerating.
Where We Stayed
We booked the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Jeddah, primarily for its location near the Corniche. The family room was spacious, the breakfast was excellent, and the pool area kept the kids entertained during the hot afternoon hours when venturing outside wasn't practical.
One tip: ask for a room with a Corniche view. Watching the sunset over the Red Sea from our balcony while the kids were (finally) asleep was one of those quiet moments that makes family travel worthwhile, despite all the chaos.
Practical Information
Getting There
We flew Saudia from Riyadh, about 90 minutes. With three kids and their associated luggage, I'd recommend booking extra baggage in advance. The Jeddah airport is being renovated extensively, so expect some confusion navigating the terminals.
Getting Around
We used a combination of Uber (readily available) and rented a car for one day to explore further north. Driving in Jeddah is chaotic but manageable if you've already survived Riyadh traffic. The Corniche has decent parking, though Friday afternoons are challenging.
Best Time to Visit
November was perfect. The temperature was warm but not oppressive (around 28-30 degrees), and the humidity was tolerable. I'd avoid summer unless you're planning exclusively indoor activities.
Would We Return?
Absolutely. In fact, we're already planning a longer trip for the spring, possibly combining Jeddah with a proper beach resort stay in the Yanbu area. The city has a different energy than Riyadh: more relaxed, more coastal, with food that somehow tastes better when you're near the sea.
For families considering whether Jeddah is worth the trip, my answer is yes, especially if you're looking for something beyond the mega-entertainment complexes. It's real, it's historic, and my picky daughter approved of the shawarma. What higher recommendation could there be?
Last updated: November 2025
