Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- King Fahd’s Fountain (tallest in the world) and Al-Rahma Floating Mosque
- Museums & Art Venues
- Hayy Jameel (Contemporary Arts) and Tayebat City Museum
- Historical Sites
- Al-Balad (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with Coral Houses
- Religious Sites
- Jaffali Mosque and King Saud Mosque
- Annual Events
- Jeddah Season (Summer) and the Red Sea International Film Festival (December)
- Cultural Districts
- Al-Balad and the newly developed Historic Jeddah Waterfront
- Theater Venues
- Jeddah Superdome or the theater within Hayy Jameel
- Local Markets
- Souq Al Alawi (oldest in Jeddah) and Souq Al Shatea
- Music Scene
- Anghami Lab or live music events at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit
- Street Art
- Street art initiatives in the Al-Balad district restoration projects
- Cooking Classes
- The Kitchen Lab (occasional workshops in Al Zahra district)
- Art Galleries
- Athr Gallery (one of Saudi's most influential contemporary spaces)
- Historic Buildings
- Nassif House (Beit Nassif) in Al-Balad
- Local Heritage
- Hijazi culture, famous for 'Roshan' wooden window lattices
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Moon Valley (Jabal al Jadib) for desert camping and hiking (1 hour North)
- National Parks Nearby
- Saiysad National Park (in nearby Taif, 2.5 hours drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Jeddah Corniche (New Waterfront) - 30km of dedicated paths
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Jeddah Waterfront at sunset looking at the Red Sea
- Birdwatching Locations
- Al-Arbaeen Lagoon nearby Al Balad
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Asfan Desert areas (popular with local 4x4 enthusiasts)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Aramex, SMSA Express, and DHL
- Tech Repair Services
- Aleph (Apple Authorized) or stalls in 'Al Baroom Center'
- Table Tennis Spots
- Social centers like 'The Hub' or local sports clubs
- Language Classes
- Effat University (Short courses) or Berlitz Jeddah
- Libraries & Study Spots
- King Abdulaziz Public Library
- Community Centers
- Hayy Jameel (Art and community workshops)
- Gaming Lounges
- G-Rush and Glitch (digital entertainment centers)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (strictly prohibited by law)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 10,000 SAR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 400,000 SAR)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 7,000 SAR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 280,000 SAR)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 9,500 SAR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 570,000 SAR)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 6,500 SAR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 390,000 SAR)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 8,500 SAR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 680,000 SAR)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 6,000 SAR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 480,000 SAR)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (Zakat of 2.5% applies to Saudi/GCC nationals)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5%
- Tax System
- Territorial (income sourced within KSA); No personal income tax for employees
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0% (There is no personal income tax)
- VAT
- 15%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules currently in force
- Property Tax
- No annual property tax (White Land Tax applies only to undeveloped urban plots)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax (RETT)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 0% tax on personal income; Saudi Premium Residency options for long-term stay
Essentials
- City
- Jeddah, Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia
- Population
- Approximately 4,800,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 150 Mbps (5G widely available via STC and Mobily)
- Currency & Banking
- Saudi Riyal (SAR). 1 USD ≈ 3.75 SAR (pegged)
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; most residents use bottled or 5-gallon delivery (approx. 15 SAR)
- Power
- 230V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets (UK standard)
- SIM Card
- STC (Sawa), Mobily, and Zain. Available at JED airport for approx. 100 SAR for 20GB
- Banking for Expats
- Al Rajhi Bank, SNB (AlAhli), and digital banks like STC Pay or Urpay
- Accommodation
- Short-stay: Gathern (local Airbnb), Booking.com. Long-stay: Aqar app
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, Mada (local debit) and Apple Pay are accepted everywhere including small shops
- Short Term Rentals
- Radisson Blu Hotel Apartments, Al Rawdah (approx. 6,000 SAR/month)
- Budget Accommodation
- Habitat Hotel or local 'Furnished Apartments' in Al Salamah district (approx. 250 SAR/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Al Balad (Historic District) for culture or Jeddah Corniche for luxury hotels
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Al Rawdah or Ash Shati; trendy districts with the best cafes and walking paths
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Spot (Al Rawdah) - approx. 1,200 SAR/month; White Space (Business Park)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Brew92 (Al Khayyat) or Medd Cafe & Roastery (Corniche) - wide desks and high-speed Wi-Fi
- Networking Events
- Astra Tech meetups and Monsha'at (SME Authority) events at the Jeddah Chamber
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations Jeddah chapter and recurring events at the British or French Consulates
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber, Careem (local favorite), and Kaiian
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Hop On (Scooters) available along the Jeddah Corniche; approx. 1 SAR per minute
- Best Beach Nearby
- Obhur Al-Shamaliyah (private beach clubs like Indigo or Silver Sands; entry 150-300 SAR)
- Top Regional Airline
- flyadeal (low cost) or flynas (hybrid carrier)
- Top International Airline
- Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) - Hub at JED Terminal 1
- Highway Access
- Route 15 (Haramain Expressway) and Route 5 (Coastal Road)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Jeddah Al-Sulimaniyah Station (Haramain High-Speed Railway to Mecca/Medina)
- Public Transport Passes
- SAPTCO Bus network; mostly used for regional travel or limited city routes (3-5 SAR per trip)
- Regional Travel
- Haramain Train to Medina (2 hours, approx. 150 SAR Business Class)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- International Medical Center (IMC) - Al Ruwais; Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Studio 5 (Al Khalidiyyah) and Karama Yoga
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Fitness Time (Pro or Plus) - branches city-wide; approx. 400-600 SAR/month
- Laundry Services
- Clean Line or 'Al Jaber Laundry' branches (standard shirt wash approx. 5-10 SAR)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- HungerStation, Jahez, and ToYou
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Al Baik (Broasted Chicken) - iconic local chain; Selling for approx. 18 SAR
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Boga Super Foods (Salads) and Moon Shell (Vegan/Acai) in Al Rawdah
- Best Dessert Spots
- Hassan Bakery (傳統) or Helen’s Bakery (American style) in Al Khalidiyyah
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Lulu Hypermarket or Danubian for high-end groceries
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.sa and Noon.com
- Grocery Delivery
- Nana App or Ninja (delivery in 15 minutes)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- No alcohol permitted. Social 'nightlife' centers on high-end lounges in Ash Shati
- Local Brewery
- Non-alcoholic only. Try 'Moussy' or 'Barbican' from local supermarkets
- Wine Bars
- Mocktail bars like Myazu (upmarket) or COYA Jeddah
- Street Food Stalls
- Al Balad historical area for 'Balilah' (chickpeas) and 'Kebda' (liver) sandwiches
- Popular International Cuisine
- Piatto (Italian) or Section-B (Gourmet Burgers)