Located in the north of Jeddah, Al Bawadi is a largely residential neighbourhood home to global restaurants, shopping centres and mosques. It’s a convenient base for visiting the museum complex of Al Tayebat International City and is a stone’s throw from the terminal buildings of King Abdulaziz International Airport.
Things to do in Al Bawadi
Stretching east to west through Al Bawadi is a lively restaurant strip where you can dine on everything from traditional Saudi Arabian cuisine to Italian and Indian fare. In the south of the neighbourhood is the bustling Bawadi Market, which specialises in clothing and accessories. Shop for the latest fashions, shoes and luggage before stopping in at one of the market’s many jewellery stores.
On the southern edge of Al Bawadi is Al Tayebat International City, which offers a fascinating insight into Jeddah’s history as one of the Gulf’s oldest seaports. This fascinating museum complex recreates the city’s traditional Hijazi architecture, with intricate wooden latticework and coral masonry. See a model of the Mecca pilgrimage and early Arab geographical documents, then learn about life for Saudi Arabia’s nomadic Bedouins.
Travelling with kids? They can cool off at the Water Village, a family-friendly leisure park that features swimming pools, slides and play equipment. When it’s time to eat, the on-site restaurant serves hearty sandwiches, pizzas and fresh juices. Not to miss is nearby Engineering Square, which features an impressive sculpture of a protractor, compass and ruler.
Getting around Al Bawadi
Al Bawadi is around 25 minutes’ drive from the centre of Jeddah and 20 minutes from the terminal buildings of King Abdulaziz International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Buses travel through Al Bawadi, although taxis are the most popular way of getting around and accessing the nearby attractions.