Heritage tour of Jeddah's old city, wholesale market, and pilgrims' gifts - for groups

Explore Jeddah's rich history and visit its distinctive historical sites, with a tour of Jeddah Al-Balad including the wholesale market and pilgrims' gifts.

The story begins from a new door, as you cross from the gateway of modern time into the heart of Jeddah, which is pulsating with history. In this country, you not only walk on the ground, but you walk over memories and stories engraved in the walls of ancient houses.

The intricate details of the wooden latticework windows greet you in the majestic Nassif House, and the narrow alleys take you to contemplate the grandeur of the Ba’ashan, Sharbatli, and Matbouli houses, all the way to the Salloum and Nour Wali houses, wandering among the houses filled with the secrets of the sea merchants and the old Jeddah families.

As you venture deeper into the area, the bustle of life gradually intensifies, heralding the arrival at the wholesale market, a meeting place for people and a haven of affection, an economic artery that has never rested for centuries. Here, the spirit of Jeddah as the "Gateway to the Two Holy Mosques" is revealed; the market teems with pilgrims and visitors from far and wide, united by their search for "blessings" in the form of souvenirs and spiritual artifacts.

In this market, the buying process turns into a pleasant social ritual. You will find prayer rugs and textiles, rosaries and precious stones, dates and fabrics alongside Hijazi fabric rolls, Quranic paintings and pictures of the Two Holy Mosques that carry with them the spirit of Mecca and Medina to all parts of the earth.

Amidst this commercial bustle, the Al-Shafi’i Mosque stands out with its ancient minaret and unique architectural style, giving the visitor moments of spiritual tranquility amidst the noise of the markets.

The tour concludes among those corridors that combine the integrity of the past and the vitality of the present. You leave laden with souvenirs and photos, but most importantly, memories that time cannot erase.