Jeddah: A tour of historic Jeddah (Al-Balad) with a tour guide

From Bab Makkah to Bab Sharif: A guided tour of the heart of historic Jeddah with a professional local guide

The story begins at Bab Makkah, the eastern gate of Jeddah's old city wall, through which pilgrims used to pass on their way to Mecca. From there, the alleyways of Jeddah's old market stretch out, lined with coral houses and wooden balconies that have stood for more than a century.

A licensed tour guide will accompany you on the tour, sharing old stories and tales from Jeddah. We'll walk among historic houses: Nassif House, Ba'ashan House, Sharbatly House, Matbouli House, Salloum House, and Nour Wali House, and visit Al-Shafi'i Mosque, the oldest mosque in the city. Midway through the tour, we'll stop for a cup of coffee, lunch, or dinner before continuing.

We stroll through Bab Makkah market, among shops selling perfumes, spices, fabrics, and abayas. Then we cross over to Bab Sharif, where the old commercial character meets the rhythm of daily life. Bab Sharif Jeddah offers a chance to see the city as its people live it, not as it appears in tourist photographs.

A comprehensive tour where you will learn about the history of old Jeddah and its distinctive architecture with a licensed tour guide.