My Experience In Saudi Arabia

I am reminded of the words by Paulo Coelho “Be a good person, but don’t waste your time proving it.”

This is the story of Saudi Arabia as I have experienced first-hand. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with my experience in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

If I were indecisive about my religion, I would consider Islam. That is how much I appreciate the kindness I experienced in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The highlight of my trip was the people – some of the kindest people I have met on my journey. I also felt safe exploring the city by myself.

I admit that I was apprehensive about traveling solo in KSA. Still, Saudi Arabia is just like any other destination open to tourists and has been for the past 5 years.

To find out how to dress when visiting Saudi Arabia, see here.

Visa Requirements:

You can obtain a visa on arrival.

Nigerian passport holders can also obtain a visa on arrival if they possess valid UK, US, or Schengen visas. The visa when issued, is valid for one year (multiple entry).

Planning a trip to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia:

I flew Qatar Airways from Hamad International Airport Doha to King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah. To learn about my transit experience with Qatar Airways, click here.

Best time to visit:

I visited in September and the weather was hot and humid. The best times to visit would be the winter months between November and February when temperatures are cooler, but you should also understand that prices will be competitive around this time since more people would be visiting at these times, so plan.

Moving Around:

You can move around the city using Uber or the local taxi. Uber was affordable and efficient.

Here are 8 things to enjoy in Jeddah:

Explore the Jeddah Corniche:

– the corniche has everything you need from beaches, water sports activities, restaurants, picnic areas, cafes, diners, etc. You can also book hotels here which are located along the waterfront where you can get amazing views of the Red Sea.

Explore Al-Balad – Jeddah Old Town: this will be one of the highlights of your trip so do not miss it.
Make a stop at the Tariq Abdulhakim Center for an engaging session.
Visit Nassif House Museum and Cultural Centre, a historic landmark built between 1872 -1881 which served as a residence of King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud in 1925.
See Beith Jokhdar a boutique hotel housed in a 19^th century building. It was a family house that was converted to a hotel with 9 rooms which includes a royal suite with a steam room which cost as much as $5,000.

See the video below.

Spend time at the Red Sea Mall:

It has a variety of restaurants, cafes, shops, and entertainment for everyone.

Dine at Restaurant Etoile De Mer and enjoy panoramic views of Jeddah:

An Uber driver recommended this restaurant and I loved it. It is a ‘revolving restaurant’ with good food; where you can get panoramic views of Jeddah.
For the quality of food you get and the ambiance, it is affordable and a must-see when visiting Jeddah.

Marvel at the Floating Mosque (Al Rahmah Mosque):

This is one of the landmarks in Jeddah. It is a beautiful structure built with its base under the sea, so when you view it when the tides are high, it appears like the building is floating on water.

It is also a beautiful spot to watch the sunset over the Red Sea.

Visit Gold Souks

Thinking of buying gold? Saudi Arabia is a good place to shop for gold in its purest form. Visit the Gold Souk in Balad and Oasis Mall for a variety of options to choose from.

Dine with locals:

Interacting with locals is the best way to get an authentic experience in Saudi Arabia. I connected with some of the best people while exploring Al Balad.

Do not leave without trying the Najel fish, exclusive to the Red Sea. I recommend Al Basali Seafood Restaurant in Balad.