Is Riyadh or Jeddah Better For Tourists?

If you’re choosing between Riyadh and Jeddah for your Saudi Arabian adventure and are unsure where to spend more time or which is better for tourists, this article will help you decide! I recently visited both cities during my one-week trip to Saudi Arabia, spending 3 days in Jeddah and 3 days in Riyadh. Knowing what I do now, I would have planned my trip differently. I’ll judge a winner between Jeddah and Riyadh based on several criteria.

For a quick answer, I consider Jeddah to be better for tourists. Jeddah is located next to the beautiful Red Sea, featuring a scenic boardwalk perfect for relaxing in the evenings when temperatures are cooler. The city is smaller and less congested compared to Riyadh, a mega-city with primarily a business-oriented atmosphere. If I could redo my trip, I would have stayed an extra day in Jeddah to relax at the beach and enjoy the Red Sea.

To help you decide which city suits your travel preferences best, we’ll compare them based on various aspects such as atmosphere, transportation, climate, overall tourist attractions, and location.

Atmosphere: Jeddah

Riyadh: As the capital city, Riyadh is the political and administrative heart of Saudi Arabia. It’s much larger than I first thought, with around 8 million people, and you feel the city’s size instantly upon arrival. Google images might suggest a cityscape full of modern skyscrapers, but this is mainly concentrated in the Al-Olaya district in the city center. Elsewhere, the buildings are smaller and older. Riyadh is known as the business center of Saudi Arabia, housing the country’s government, stock exchange (Tadawul), and many national and international companies. This gives it a more conservative, business-oriented atmosphere, making it generally not a place to relax.

Jeddah: Situated on the beautiful Red Sea, Jeddah is a historic trading port. In contrast to Riyadh, Jeddah has a more liberal and relaxed vibe (though not liberal in the European sense 😅). The restored parts of the old district in Al-Balad offer a calm mood in the evenings with plenty of small coffee shops and snack stalls. The boardwalk, known as the Jeddah Corniche, comes to life at night when daytime temperatures cool. Here, you can rent a bike or go for a jog while admiring the view of the Red Sea. Overall, the atmosphere in Jeddah gives tourists more of a vacation feeling rather than a hectic, business-focused one.

Winner: Jeddah!

Transportation: Riyadh

Riyadh: As mentioned, Riyadh is a massive city with close to 8 million inhabitants and is highly car-centric, like the rest of Saudi Arabia. The most common way to get around in Riyadh is by car, leading to severe traffic congestion daily. For anyone visiting, I recommend renting a car or being ready to take a taxi (using Careem or Uber) to nearly all destinations. Efforts are being made to expand the public transportation system, which currently consists of buses and a short metro line. I used the public buses during my stay in Riyadh; while they work, they are not sufficient and do not cover many parts of the city. Buses also stop running at midnight, which is strange considering most Saudis are active at night when temperatures are cooler.

Jeddah: Unlike Riyadh, Jeddah has a complete lack of public transportation, at least to any tourist attractions. I checked multiple times for public transport options to my destinations, but there were none available. Therefore, taxis are your best option here as well. Note that this might change quickly, as Saudi cities are developing rapidly, so be sure to check in advance! However, for now, cars (rented or taxis) are your best option for getting around the city.

Winner: Riyadh!

Climate: Jeddah

Riyadh: Riyadh experiences a desert climate, characterized by extreme temperatures. Summers can be scorching, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C (104°F). I mistakenly thought temperatures wouldn’t be too bad in mid-May, but they definitely were! Arriving in Riyadh felt like opening a warm oven, with a hot wind hitting my face as I stepped out of the air-conditioned arrivals terminal. Unlike Jeddah, the winds in Riyadh did not provide any cooling relief. Most of the day was spent indoors, waiting for the daytime heat to subside before exploring the city. If you plan to visit Saudi Arabia, make sure to go during the winter months when temperatures are milder and more suitable for exploring. Riyadh also experiences minimal rainfall, so you can expect dry conditions year-round.

Jeddah: Jeddah’s coastal location gives it a more moderate climate compared to Riyadh. While it still gets extremely warm and humid during the summer months, and even as early as May, the proximity to the Red Sea provides the city with a constant breeze that can be somewhat cooling. While swimming options might be limited, there are some private beaches you can take advantage of if you get tired of walking around the city in the scorching heat. In my blog article, “Best Things to Do in Jeddah,” I wrote about the best private beaches in Jeddah, so be sure to check it out.

Winner: Jeddah!

Tourist Attractions: Draw

Riyadh: Riyadh offers a mix of modern and historical attractions. The city is home to impressive landmarks like the Kingdom Centre Tower and Al Faisaliah Tower, both offering stunning city views. For the best things to do in Riyadh, be sure to check out my blog post. However, Riyadh is not all modern; historical sites such as Al Masmak Fortress and Diriyah provide a sense of Saudi Arabia’s heritage. Shopping is best done in Riyadh, with an abundance of upscale shopping malls, although it does not come with a cheap price tag. For a local and more authentic shopping experience, visit the Souq Al Zal at night. It was one of the highlights of my trip, to be honest.

Jeddah: Jeddah’s attractions are heavily influenced by its coastal location. The Jeddah Corniche, the city’s waterfront area, is great for leisurely walks or bicycle rides and offers beautiful views of the Red Sea. At night, the Jeddah Corniche comes to life, with many locals gathering to enjoy a picnic with family or go for a walk in the cooler temperatures. Al-Balad, the city’s historical center, features buildings made of coral with wooden windows, many of which are being restored. This authentic side of Jeddah was my favorite attraction during my stay. There aren’t heaps of things to do in Jeddah, and you can easily see all the main attractions within two days if you’re efficient. However, when you run out of things to see, you can always head to a private beach resort for the day, an option Riyadh does not offer since it is located inland.

For a complete list of the best things to do in Jeddah, check out my blog so you know what not to miss!

Draw!

Location and Proximity to Other Cities: Jeddah

Riyadh: Riyadh is located in the center of Saudi Arabia, literally in the middle of a vast desert. However, Riyadh does have some perks, namely that it is easy to travel to other Gulf states like Qatar and Bahrain with just a short bus ride. I traveled from Riyadh to Bahrain using Saptco’s VIP bus service, which took about 5 hours and was very comfortable since it’s basically one straight road. Yet, that’s about the only positive thing I can say about Riyadh’s location.

Jeddah: Jeddah’s location on the Red Sea coast makes the city stand out. For Muslims, it serves as a gateway to the holy city of Mecca, just an hour’s drive away. The coastal position also makes Jeddah an excellent place for exploring the marine life and beaches of the Red Sea. The proximity to the Red Sea connects you with the natural beauty of Saudi Arabia, something Riyadh completely lacks. Additionally, the Haramain high-speed railway offers quick and comfortable travel between Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina. Non-Muslims are prohibited from visiting Mecca, but tourists can visit Medina, though not the Prophet’s Mosque.

Winner: Jeddah!

Dining and Nightlife: Jeddah

Riyadh: The dining scene in Riyadh is filled with numerous modern and high-end restaurants. The city comes to life at night, with many locals going out to parks or visiting Boulevard City. Shopping malls, supermarkets, and cafes are open late, and Boulevard City stays open until 4 am. Riyadh’s food scene includes both traditional Saudi cuisine and international options, but good restaurants typically come with a high price tag.

Jeddah: Like Riyadh, Jeddah comes to life at night, with locals enjoying midnight picnics along the Jeddah Corniche. Supermarkets and restaurants around Al-Hamra are open until early morning, with some even open 24/7. The nightlife and dining scenes in Riyadh and Jeddah are similar, with restaurants and cafes open late at night. However, Jeddah has the advantage of offering more seafood restaurants with fresh catches from the Red Sea. I particularly enjoyed the Saedi fish restaurant next to Palestine Street in Al-Hamra, which offers all kinds of tasty seafood at very reasonable prices. Make sure to check it out.

Winner: Jeddah!

Shopping Experience: Draw!

Riyadh: If there’s one thing that Saudis love, it’s shopping! Riyadh is a shopping haven, featuring modern malls like Riyadh Gallery and Al Nakheel Mall, where you can find all the luxury brands and international stores you could imagine. However, the traditional market, Souq Al-Zal, offers unique local products, especially gold and jewelry, providing a glimpse into the city’s trading heritage.

Jeddah: Jeddah is no different when it comes to shopping and also boasts multiple impressive shopping malls like Red Sea Mall and Mall of Arabia. Shopping malls are also popular hangout spots for Saudis and contain many restaurants and cafes. The city’s historic district, Al-Balad, features traditional souks where you can purchase local handicrafts, spices, and jewelry, offering a more authentic shopping experience. Jeddah’s shopping scene is as diverse as Riyadh’s, making the shopping experience a draw between the two cities!

Draw!

Conclusion

So there you have it! I hope this blog post has made your decision between Jeddah and Riyadh easier. If it wasn’t clear enough, my preference is Jeddah. However, if there are two things I can recommend to improve your trip, they are: travel during winter and make sure to rent a car! By doing these two things, you will avoid the mistakes I made and have a much more enjoyable trip.

Happy travels!