A coral-stone merchant house of the 1880s where King Abdulaziz stayed in 1925, now a museum.
Nasseef House, also written Naseef or Nassif, is the most famous merchant house in Al-Balad, Jeddah. It was built in the early 1880s for Omar Effendi Nasseef, a leading Hejazi merchant and notable of the city. The tall coral-stone building has carved wooden roshan windows, high rooms arranged around a central stair, and a wide stepped ramp that lets pack animals carry goods to upper levels. It served as a residence for King Abdulaziz after he took Jeddah in December 1925, and the Nasseef family later helped turn it into a heritage museum. The house is a good example of how wealthy families lived in the old port, with receiving rooms, family quarters and rooftop levels designed to catch breezes. It is open as a cultural house museum, though opening hours and fees have been reported inconsistently, so visitors should check at the door.
| Admission | Free or small fee up to about SAR 20 (about USD 5.33) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Typically daily mornings and evenings; confirm on arrival |
| Address | Nasseef House, Al-Balad (Historic Jeddah), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
Why it matters
The best-known merchant house of Historic Jeddah and a temporary residence of King Abdulaziz after 1925.
Location
Nasseef House, Al-Balad (Historic Jeddah), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
21.4839, 39.1878 View on map
Highlights
- See the wide stepped ramp built for pack animals
- Admire carved roshan windows on a coral-stone tower house
- Learn about King Abdulaziz's stay in 1925
- View Al-Balad from the upper floors
Tips for visiting
- Confirm hours and fees on arrival.
- Allow about an hour.
- Wear shoes suited to steep stairs.
- Combine with Souq Al-Alawi and Shafei Mosque.
- Ask permission before photographing inside.
When to visit
Late afternoon from November to March.
Accessibility
Steep stairs and uneven floors make it hard for wheelchair users.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Who built Nasseef House?
Merchant Omar Effendi Nasseef, in the early 1880s.
Why is it important?
It was a base for King Abdulaziz after he took Jeddah in 1925.
Is it open to visitors?
It operates as a house museum; confirm times on the day.