Jeddah is Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port city and the gateway to Makkah and Madinah, where the UNESCO-listed coral-stone houses of Historic Jeddah (Al-Balad), the long Corniche, the 300-metre King Fahd's Fountain and the Jeddah Waterfront sit along one sea-facing coast.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Saudi dates
Sukkari and Ajwa dates, often in gift boxes.
Price: SAR 30 to SAR 300 per kg (USD 8 to USD 80) (estimate)
Where: Souq Al Alawi, Bateel, hypermarkets
Oud and bukhoor
Oud oil and wood-chip incense.
Price: SAR 100 to SAR 5,000+ (USD 27 to USD 1,333+)
Where: Souq Al Alawi, Al-Balad shops, Tahlia Street perfumeries
Arabic coffee and cardamom
Roasted coffee beans with cardamom for gahwa.
Price: SAR 40 to SAR 150 per kg (USD 11 to USD 40) (estimate)
Where: Souq Al Alawi, hypermarkets
Spices and spice mixes
Hijazi spice mixes and saffron sold by weight.
Price: SAR 10 to SAR 100 (USD 3 to USD 27) (estimate)
Where: Souq Al Alawi, Al Nada Market
Gold and pearl jewellery
Jeddah is a long-time gold trading centre; Red Sea pearls are also sold.
Price: Priced by weight on the day gold rate
Where: Gold shops in Al-Balad and malls
Hijazi fabrics and abayas
Traditional fabrics and modest clothing.
Price: SAR 100 to SAR 1,000 (USD 27 to USD 267) (estimate)
Where: Souq Al Alawi, malls
Rawasheen and Hijazi wood crafts
Small replicas of the wooden roshan balconies of Al-Balad, plus wooden gifts.
Price: SAR 30 to SAR 300 (USD 8 to USD 80) (estimate)
Where: Al-Balad shops, Bait Nassif area
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Souq Al Alawi
Covered market lane in historic Al-Balad; prices negotiable.
Where: Al-Balad
Hours: Typically morning and again late afternoon to evening (verify)
Al Nada Market
Local market at the end of which is Hawateen Alley.
Where: Al-Balad
Hours: Typically morning and late afternoon to evening (verify)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Red Sea Mall
Major northern Jeddah mall near the Corniche.
Hours: Daily about 10:00 to 23:00 or 24:00 (verify; Friday often starts after midday prayer)
Mall of Arabia
Large family mall on Medina Road with listed hours to about 23:30.
Hours: Mon-Thu and Sat-Sun 10:00 to 23:00 or 23:30; Friday 14:00 to 23:30 (verify)
Andalus Mall
Central Jeddah mall with food court, hypermarket and cinema.
Hours: Daily about 10:00 to 23:00 (verify)
Stars Avenue Mall
Mall on the Al Tahlia strip with an evening crowd.
Hours: Daily about 10:00 to 23:00 (verify)
Aziz Mall
Established southern Jeddah mall for everyday shopping.
Hours: Daily about 10:00 to 23:00 (verify)
City Walk Jeddah
Open-air promenade with restaurants and shops near the waterfront.
Hours: Evenings (verify)
Roshan Mall
Northern Jeddah local mall.
Hours: Daily about 10:00 to 23:00 (verify)
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Open at about 50 to 60 percent of the asking price in souqs and settle around 70 to 80 percent.
Malls and brand shops are fixed price.
For gold, check the daily gold rate and negotiate the making charge.
Compare two or three shops before buying oud or fabrics.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered in malls and souqs., Many souq shops close at midday and during prayer times., Ask before photographing shopkeepers; photographing people without consent is an offence.