Travel Guide Djedda

As the gateway to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, Jeddah has been used to visitors from all over the world for almost as long as anyone can remember. Even when the rest of the country was inaccessible to tourists, Jeddah continued to welcome pilgrims from all over. It has developed a spirit of openness that it cherishes and of which the inhabitants are particularly proud. They will explain to you that they are progressive compared to the rest of the country and that in Jeddah all gastronomies are represented. Along the Red Sea, fish and shellfish are integrated in the local cuisine more than anywhere else in the country. It is also the first port of the country. It is from here that ships loaded with oil and hydrocarbons leave. With a great economic dynamism, the city is constantly expanding northwards; it now has more than 4.5 million inhabitants, making it the second largest metropolis in Saudi Arabia. It has the profile of a modern city, crossed by highways carrying millions of vehicles every day. It has nevertheless preserved its old town, Al Balad, with its unparalleled charm, and listed as a World Heritage Site. A visit to Jeddah and its hot and humid climate is mandatory if you visit Saudi Arabia.