Eclipse & Jeddah’s Gems

📍 Jeddah - Jeddah airport (25km): 30 mins

Jeddah is a commercial hub sitting to the west along the Red Sea with the second busiest seaport in the Middle East. It’s the principal gateway to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, and sees over a million pilgrims a year on their way to perform the Hajj. Despite this, Jeddah is perceived to be the most liberal city in Saudi Arabia and is a popular tourist destination, offering the beauty of ancient architecture mixed with the latest luxuries.

Celebrate your arrival in the Kingdom with sunset drinks on the city’s attractive corniche.  Take a stroll to admire the artworks in the ‘open air museum’ and spread out your carpet and your ‘takwa’, the smart Saudi picnic seat. Join the locals when the sun sets, the call for prayer sounds and the world's tallest fountain comes to life in front of the beachwalk.

Proceed to the distinctive Al Rahmah Mosque, a landmark of Jeddah. Contributed in 1985, the site is commonly referred to as the Floating Mosque, as it rests on the water's surface, with its bases anchored beneath the sea.
Continue with a leisurely stroll around the west end of the Jeddah Yacht Club & Marina. Conclude the day with breathtaking views of the sea, sky and the luxurious boats docked in the marina. 

Overnight in Jeddah.

Inclusions:

Start the day working on the Saudi bigger picture in the Tayebat museum. The museum is housed in a multiroom complex that re-creates the traditional architecture of Al Balad. With several floors of in-depth exhibits, the museum offers a living history lesson on the foundation of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and the wider Arabian Peninsula. There is also an entire floor dedicated to the city’s rich Islamic heritage.

Jeddah’s proximity to the Red Sea puts local seafood at the forefront, unlike elsewhere in the country. The Central Fish Market is the hotspot where buyers and sellers come together. Squid, shrimp, lobster and a great variety of fish, some only native to the Red Sea, are all fresh and on display. Follow the flow of the market where customers first choose their pick. Next they move on to have it weighed and get a ticket for the cleaning section, All set? Now it can be prepared in the restaurant right in the market or taken home. To stay in style, enjoy a seafood lunch in a nearby restaurant.

After lunch, visit the House of Islamic Arts, where explore a stunning collection of Islamic art, artifacts, and rare manuscripts. This cultural gem offers a deep insight into the rich heritage and artistic traditions of the Islamic world.

Continue your dive into history and heritage in the atmospheric old town, Al Balad, which achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014. Its traditional multi storey buildings and merchant houses are an architectural treasure trove. It is a dive back in time with the buzz of trading, pilgrims shopping and the occasional tourist mixed in. The roshan or wooden window covers are the ancient way to create shade and cool in this hot and humid climate, and they make these alleys especially picturesque. Visiting Al Balad is like a dive back in time with the buzz of trading, pilgrims shopping and the occasional tourist mixed in. In a quickly modernizing Kingdom, this area might be the last one to find that ‘real Middle Eastern mix of sights and smells’ that you can find in the old souks across the region.  

Overnight in Jeddah.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

The entire day is dedicated to the Total Solar Eclipse of 2 August 2027, a spectacular celestial event often dubbed the 'Eclipse of the Century'. This is the second longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century, offering an exceptional duration of totality. Jeddah is directly in the path of totality, offering one of the best land-based viewing locations. The partial eclipse is estimated to begin around 12:00:23 pm local time, with totality beginning shortly after 1:22 pm. The maximum duration of totality in the area is up to six minutes. 

The specific viewing location and timing for transfer will be determined closer to the date to ensure the best possible experience, likely in a spot south of Jeddah with favourable weather statistics and maximum visibility. 

Overnight in Jeddah.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Jeddah - Jeddah airport (25km): 30 mins

Spend the morning exploring Jeddah’s creative side with a visit to Nafisa Shams Academy, a leading women’s empowerment centre supported by Community Jameel Saudi. Begin with a private transfer and a warm welcome of Saudi coffee and dates, followed by a short introduction to the academy’s mission. 

Enjoy a guided tour of its workshops to see artisans at work across embroidery, pottery, jewellery and digital art, then take part in a hands-on activity to try one of these crafts yourself. The visit ends with heartfelt goodbyes, taking home not just a small handmade gift but lasting impressions of Saudi tradition, followed by transfer to the airport.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast