Shopping in the City of Jeddah

From the fashion conscious shopping for the latest in international couture, to the intrepid traveller on the hunt for the rare and exotic, Jeddah's shopping scene has something to amaze and delight everyone. No matter what your shopping style, one thing's for sure, at the end of a day of shopping, you will need a Jeddah hotel to rest your weary feet. Accommodation options range from budget to international 5 star hotels, so you will have no problem finding a Jeddah hotel to suit your budget. With so much shopping in offer, the only question that remains is what to buy?

Traditional Souvenirs
Shopping in Jeddah will give you the chance to immerse yourself in the Arabic culture that is rich in history and tradition. There is no better place than Jeddah to find a traditional souvenir and take home a little piece of Arabia to your own home. Whilst shopping opportunities are endless in Jeddah, the best place to find traditional souvenirs is without a doubt Al-Balad which is the name given to the old quarter of Jeddah. Making your way through the narrow pebbled streets, you will find yourself stepping back in time as you take in the aromas of fresh spices and incense coming from the numerous street vendors selling all kinds of interesting and rare ornaments and objects.

Souq Al Alawi
Souq Al Alawi makes its way from east to west through Al-Balad. It is an ideal place to find souvenirs for relatives and friends, selling a variety of traditional items such as honey, dates, spices, and even Arabic perfume. For those looking for a real slice of local market culture, shopping during the Haj season is recommended when the market really comes to life!

Gabel Street
Gabel Street is located near Souq Al Alawi in the old quarter. It is the perfect place to find local items for souvenirs such as jambiyan (tribesmen's ceremonial daggers) coffee pots, Bedouin jewellery and incense burners. Prices here are often cheap but haggling is still a must!



Gold
It has often been said that no trip to Saudi Arabia is complete without a trip to a gold shop! Those looking for a golden souvenir won't be disappointed in Jeddah!

Souq Al Nada
This souq (market) is located in Al-Balad and sells traditional Arabian ornaments as well as those from Asia and Africa. Here, everything that glitters really is gold, as Souq Al Nada is renowned for its gold and silver items. Be warned, this is no place to be shy as bargaining is a must!

International Brands
Jeddah is Saudi Arabia's home of fashion and international brand name retailers fill the many luxurious shopping malls throughout Jeddah.

Al Khayyat Centre
The Al Khayyat Centre is synonymous with high-end fashion. Leading international fashion houses have stores here including Prada, Burberry and Dior. Located on Jeddah's answer to Rodeo Drive, Talia Street, enjoy a day finding the perfect outfit before settling down in to one of the trendy cafes for a spot of people watching.

Mall of Arabia
The biggest shopping craze hitting Jeddah is "destination malls" – shopping malls that have it all – snow village and all! The queen of these centres is Mall of Arabia on Medina Road. Here, there are over 330 stores displaying the latest trends from abroad. The most dedicated shopper won't want to leave! Although, with a hotel attached, you don't have to!

Culinary Delicacies

Khayyam Al-Rabie Est
For those wanting to taste Arabian culture in the most literal sense, Jeddah offers an amazing variety of local delicacies to sample and take back home. There is no better place to savour the delights of Arabian delicacies than atKhayyam Al-Rabie Est in Al-Balad. This shop stocks a gob-smacking array of nuts, dates, and Arabic delicacies.

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About the Author

Lek Boonlert

Lek Boonlert is an editor and content reviewer at DirectRooms and is responsible for all Jeddah Hotels content.